Universal Credit (UC) is a new meanstested benefit which was first introduced in April 2013. The aim of UC was to simplify the existing welfare system and to provide one single benefit for people both in and out of work.
. UC replaces the following ‘legacy benefits’:
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Child Tax Credits
• Working Tax Credits