What you need to know
Now that your financial support from the Home Office/UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has stopped, you will need money to live on and to pay for your housing. For people without a job, this usually means a Universal Credit claim.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) pays Universal Credit (UC), and their offices are called Jobcentre Plus.
Universal Credit payments are not instant. You will normally receive your first payment seven days after the end of your first assessment period (two weeks after you submit your initial application).
You must register for Universal Credit as soon as possible.
Where you need to go
In-person
The Department of Work and Pensions offices are called Jobcentre Plus.
The main Jobcentre Plus is in the city centre:
21-22 Park Place, Leeds LS1 2SL
0800 169 0190
Find your local Jobcentre Plus
Online
You can apply for Universal Credit online if you have a bank account.
Apply for Universal Credit online
By phone
DWP Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644
What do I need to take with me?
As much ID as possible.
- Your Biometric Residence Permit (if you have one)
- Your Home Office letter that tells you that you have been granted refugee status
- Any letter saying you must leave your accommodation (especially if it has a date on it)
- Any supporting evidence of your physical or mental health housing needs, e.g. a letter from your GP or support worker
What help can DWP/Jobcentre Plus offer?
- Help to claim benefits
- A specialist worker from the Social Justice team who will help you to gather the correct information
- Universal Credit (and help to apply for advanced payment)
- Referrals to Food Banks and free furniture stores
Getting extra support with benefits
You can find a welfare adviser by contacting a member of Leeds City Council’s Welfare Rights Unit who can:
- give you free, confidential, impartial advice and support on a whole range of welfare benefits
- help you to complete claim forms over the phone
- complete forms which will be posted to you to sign, check and forward to the correct department
- offer guidance and support when making appeals
- check your benefit entitlement and give guidance on using benefit systems
Leeds Council Welfare Rights team
0113 376 0452 (Monday to Thursday 9am to 4:30pm, Wednesdays 10:15am to 4:30pm and Friday 9am to 4pm)
Citizens Advice Leeds
Citizens Advice Leeds is open to advise by telephone, webchat and email from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Their face-to-face City Centre Drop-In is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 1pm. Booked appointments only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1pm to 4pm, and Tuesday, Thursday 9am to 4pm.
Oxford House, Oxford Row, Leeds LS1 3BE
0808 2 78 78 78
Help to Claim – Universal Credit Telephone Helpline
Citizens Advice UK also offers specialist advice and support with making Universal Credit claims through their Help to Claim phone service. Advisers are available 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday:
0800 144 8 444
