Jargon Buster
Browse definitions of terms below which can help you navigate the welfare benefits system.
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A
Advanced education
Studying a course to get a degree, diploma, or qualification.Assessment Period
A monthly period starting on the day you first make your Universal Credit claim.Assessment Phase
The first part of your claim before you have a work capability assessment. -
C
Common Travel Area
The UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland.Contributory Benefits
Eligibility depends on if you’ve paid enough national insurance contributions. -
D
Defer your State Pension
Choosing to wait to claim State Pension after you reach State Pension age.Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Government department that is responsible for employment and welfare. -
E
European Economic Area (EEA)
Countries that are part of the European Union's single market. -
H
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
The Government department that calculates and collects taxes. -
L
Legacy Benefit
Benefits that are being replaced by Universal Credit.Local Housing Allowance
The most help you can get from benefits to pay rent in the private sector. -
M
Managed Migration
When a legacy benefit ends and the person is invited to claim Universal Credit.Mandatory Reconsideration
Asking for a benefit decision to be looked at again.Mandatory Reconsideration Notice
A letter which tells the outcome of your Mandatory Reconsideration.Means-tested benefit
Eligibility depends on the amount of income and capital you have.Minimum Income Floor
Universal Credit rule for self-employed people earning below minimum wage.Mixed-age couples
A couple where one partner is under 66 and the other is over 66. -
N
National Insurance Number
Number used to record your national insurance contributions and tax paid.Natural Migration
Having to make a new claim for Universal Credit due to a change of circumstance.Non-Dependant
An adult person who normally lives in your house.Non means-tested benefit
Benefits you can get no matter what your income and savings are.Notional income
Being treated as having income even if you don't actually receive it. -
O
Overlapping Benefits
Two or more benefits that cannot be paid at the same time. -
P
Prescribed diseases
A disease or injury arising from a person's occupation.Private Tenancy
Renting from a private landlord. -
Q
Qualifying young person
Someone aged 16 or over but under 20 who meets a list of conditions. -
R
Relevant education
Education that is full-time and not advanced. -
S
Social Housing Landlord
Local councils, housing associations or Northern Ireland Housing Executive.Social services
Local council department responsible for protecting children and adults.State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS)
Additional amount of state pension for qualifying people.State Second Pension
Additional amount of state pension for qualifying people.Surplus Income
Earnings of £2,500 over what would stop your Universal Credit claim. -
T
Tax year
Runs from 6 April one year to 5 April the next year.Terminally Ill
Having a disease that will get worse and death can be expected.Two Child Limit Exception
Extra Universal Credit for third (or more) child. -
W
Working age
Being over 16 but under 66.