Universal Credit for individuals
£200
+ VAT
We guide you through the application and make sure your earnings, savings and circumstances are reported accurately.
Book now →Universal Credit services · Luton & Birmingham
Universal Credit help in Luton and Birmingham.
Ola Accountancy helps individuals, couples and self-employed people apply for Universal Credit (from £200 + VAT), report earnings correctly and prepare LCW, LCWRA and PIP claims — in English or Romanian. We handle the paperwork and explain every step in plain language.
At a glance
Managed Universal Credit support.
For people who want an expert to prepare the claim properly, rather than guessing at the forms.
Who it is for: first-time claimants, couples making a joint claim, self-employed workers who must report monthly income, people with a disability or long-term health condition (LCW, LCWRA, PIP), and Romanian speakers who prefer help in their own language.
Price: Universal Credit application £200 + VAT (individual) or £300 + VAT (couple); LCW/LCWRA support £700 + VAT; PIP application support £800 + VAT. All fees are quoted excluding VAT and confirmed in writing before any work starts. A first consultation is £100 + VAT.
Where: Ola Accountancy, 23A George Street, Luton LU1 2AF and 22-42 Washwood Heath Road, Saltley, Birmingham B8 1RB — and online for clients anywhere in the UK.
Languages: English and Romanian (vorbim românește), plus Hindi, Gujarati, Italian, Urdu and Punjabi across the team.
What is included
- Eligibility check and a personalised document checklist
- Online application completed with you, with earnings, savings and housing costs reported accurately
- Self-employed income and expenses reported each assessment period
- Evidence prepared for LCW/LCWRA and the Work Capability Assessment
- PIP application and assessment preparation
- Advice on other entitlements such as Council Tax Reduction
- Changes of circumstances reported so your claim stays correct
Fees
Universal Credit claims.
Clear prices, agreed before we begin. All fees are subject to VAT.
Universal Credit for couples
£300
+ VAT
How joint claims are calculated — including when one partner works, or when earnings go up and down.
Book now →Benefits & financial advice
£350
+ VAT per hour
Other support you may be entitled to alongside Universal Credit, such as Council Tax Reduction, free prescriptions or Healthy Start.
Book now →Health & disability
Disability elements and PIP.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition, you may be entitled to extra support. We explain the rules, help you prepare your evidence and guide you through the assessment.
Limited Capability for Work (LCW)
£700
+ VAT
If you are assessed as having limited capability for work, you will not be required to look for work, although you may need to prepare for future employment.
Book now →LCW and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA)
£700
+ VAT
For severe conditions that make work impossible: no work-related requirements and an additional health element in your Universal Credit. We help you prepare for the Work Capability Assessment.
Book now →Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
£800
+ VAT
PIP is not means-tested. We explain how to apply, what evidence you need, how the assessment works and how PIP interacts with Universal Credit.
Book now →Good to know
How PIP and Universal Credit work together.
PIP components
Daily living — for help with everyday tasks such as preparing food, dressing or managing medication. Mobility — for difficulty getting around. Each is paid at a standard or enhanced rate.
Benefit cap
Households where someone receives PIP, or has the LCWRA element of Universal Credit, are exempt from the benefit cap.
Work allowance
If you have limited capability for work, or are responsible for a child, you get a work allowance — you can earn a set amount before your Universal Credit starts to reduce.
Benefit rules and rates change regularly, and the health element changed for new claims from April 2026. We check the current rules for your situation.
Why Ola Accountancy
100% on your side.
We handle the paperwork
Applications, evidence and reporting changes — prepared properly so you do not lose time or money.
Plain language
We explain every step so you always know where your claim stands.
Self-employed claimants
We understand how self-employed earnings are reported, including the minimum income floor.
Free, independent benefits advice is also available from organisations such as Citizens Advice. Our paid service is for clients who want us to manage the process for them.
FAQs
Universal Credit questions, answered.
Can I claim Universal Credit if I am self-employed?
Yes. You report your self-employed income and expenses to Universal Credit every month. If you are found to be gainfully self-employed, a minimum income floor may be applied after a 12-month start-up period, which can reduce your payment if your profits are low. We explain how it works for your trade and help you report correctly each assessment period.
How much does it cost to get help with a Universal Credit application?
Our fixed fees are £200 + VAT for an individual claim and £300 + VAT for a joint (couple) claim. Support with the health assessment (Work Capability Assessment) is £700 + VAT for Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or LCWRA and £800 + VAT for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application. Free, independent advice is also available from Citizens Advice; our paid service is for people who want us to manage the process.
Does PIP affect my Universal Credit?
No. PIP is not means-tested and is not counted as income for Universal Credit, so you can receive both. Receiving PIP, or having the LCWRA element in your Universal Credit, also exempts your household from the benefit cap.
What documents will I need to claim Universal Credit?
Usually photo ID, proof of address, your National Insurance number, bank details, tenancy agreement or mortgage statement, payslips or self-employed income and expenses, savings details and evidence of any health condition or childcare costs. We give you a personalised checklist before your appointment.
Do I have to report my earnings every month if I am self-employed?
Yes. Self-employed claimants must report income received and expenses paid at the end of each monthly assessment period, through your online journal. We can prepare the figures from your bookkeeping so your report matches your records and your Self Assessment tax return.
Can you help Romanian speakers with Universal Credit?
Yes. Oferim ajutor pentru Universal Credit în limba română: completăm cererea, explicăm ce documente sunt necesare și cum se raportează veniturile din activități independente. Our team works in English and Romanian from our offices in Luton and Birmingham, and online across the UK.
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Guides in plain English.
Get started
Get help with your claim.
Send us your details and we will call you back within one working day.
- Individuals and couples
- Disability elements (LCW / LCWRA)
- PIP applications
Get started
Book your consultation.
First consultation £100 + VAT. Tell us about your situation and we will explain exactly how we can help.