If you have been laid off, your employer is not applying for support under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or 80% of your wages is still not enough to pay your bills and rent, you can apply for Universal Credit. 

The standard allowance is the basic amount you can receive and depends on your age and whether you are applying as a single person or as part of a couple.​

Value	Single Claimant	Joint Claimant
Under 25 years	​£251.77 per month	​£395.20 per month
25 and over	£317.82 per month	​£498.89 per month

In addition to the standard allowance, you can also apply for additional allowances to cover the cost of looking after children and housing. The Local Housing Allowance has been increased to 30% of market rents in the private sector.

You can obtain further information from the Universal Credit website or helpline on 0800 328 5644. You can also obtain advice from your local Welfare Rights Officer working for your Local Authority or a Housing Association. The Citizens Advice Bureau have dedicated advisers to assist with Universal Credit claims.

ARE YOU ON A ZERO HOURS CONTRACT AND HAVE HAD YOUR HOURS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY BY YOUR EMPLOYER AS A RESULT OF COVID-19?
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AFTER READING OUR GUIDANCE ON FURLOUGHING, DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN FURLOUGHED?

PLEASE CONTACT US SO WE CAN TRY AND FIGHT YOUR CASE TO BE FURLOUGHED BY YOUR EMPLOYER AND RECEIVE THE INCOME YOU ARE REALLY DUE.​