Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland.
\n\nYou may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
\n\nThis guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) and in an easy read format.
\nIf you live in Northern Ireland, go to Universal Credit in Northern Ireland.
\n\nSign in to your Universal Credit account if you already have one.
\n\nUniversal Credit is replacing Housing Benefit and income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
\n\nIf you’re getting these benefits, you do not need to do anything unless either:
\n\nIf you get a Migration Notice, you must move to Universal Credit by the deadline date in your letter to keep getting financial support.
\nYou’ll stop getting these benefits when you or your partner claim Universal Credit. If you or your partner gets Pension Credit, this will also stop if one of you claims Universal Credit.
\n\nYou’ll continue getting any other benefits you already receive, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance.
\n\nIf you get certain other benefits at the same time as Universal Credit, the amount of Universal Credit you receive will be reduced.
\n\n","slug":"what-universal-credit-is","title":"What Universal Credit is"},{"body":"You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be:
\n\nTo claim you must:
\n\nYou can use a benefits calculator to check what benefits you could get.
\n\nYou and your family might also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Universal Credit. Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
\n\nYou will both need to claim Universal Credit. You must make a joint claim for your household, even if your partner is not eligible. How much you can get will depend on your partner’s income and savings, as well as your own.
\n\nIf only one of you has reached State Pension age, you and your partner can still claim Universal Credit as a couple. Your Universal Credit claim will stop when you both reach State Pension age.
\n\nIf you’re getting Pension Credit, it will stop if you or your partner make a claim for Universal Credit. You’ll usually be better off staying on Pension Credit. You can check using a benefits calculator.
\n\nYou can make a claim for Universal Credit if you’re in full-time education and any of the following apply:
\n\nYou can also claim Universal Credit if you’re 21 or under, studying any qualification up to A level or equivalent and do not have parental support.
\n\nYou may be able to claim if you are studying part-time or doing a course for which no student loan or finance is available.
\n\nCheck the guidance about claiming Universal Credit as a student.
\n\nYou can claim Universal Credit if you’re in full-time education, and have been assessed as having limited capability for work by a Work Capability Assessment before starting your course. You must also be entitled to any of the following:
\n\nYou can make a claim for Universal Credit if any of the following apply:
\n\nIf you have a health condition that affects your ability to work you might get extra money for Universal Credit.
\n\nIf you’re in the armed forces and stationed abroad, you can apply for Universal Credit. You’ll need to use a specific address when you apply.
\n\n","slug":"eligibility","title":"Eligibility"},{"body":"Universal Credit is paid monthly. How much you get depends on:
\n\nSee how much you could get by using a benefits calculator.
\n\nYou’ll get one standard allowance for your household.
\n\n| How much you’ll get | \nMonthly standard allowance | \n
|---|---|
| If you’re single and under 25 | \n£338.58 | \n
| If you’re single and 25 or over | \n£424.90 | \n
| If you live with your partner and you’re both under 25 | \n£528.34 (for you both) | \n
| If you live with your partner and either of you are 25 or over | \n£666.97 (for you both) | \n
You may get more money on top of your standard allowance if you’re eligible.
\n\nYou will need to report changes when you become eligible for an extra amount. They are not added automatically. For example, if you become a carer you need to tell DWP. The carer’s element of Universal Credit is not automatically applied if you start getting Carer’s Allowance.
\n\nYou’ll get £303.94 a month for each child that lives with you.
\n\nIf your first child was born before 6 April 2017, you’ll get an extra £47.94 a month for that child.
\nYou get money for each child until the 31 August after their:
\n\nYou might get an extra monthly amount if any of your children are disabled.
\n\nYou’ll either get:
\n\nThe higher amount is for a child who:
\n\nThe lower amount is for a child who gets any other rate of either DLA for children, or PIP.
\n\nYou can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re working. If you live with your partner both of you need to be working, unless one of you is unable to work due to a disability or health condition.
\n\nThe childcare needs to be from a registered provider. You can get help paying for childcare including nurseries, childminders, breakfast clubs, after school care and holiday clubs.
\n\nThe most you can get each month is:
\n\nYou need to pay your childcare costs up front and claim the money back as part of your payment. You can get support to help you pay your childcare costs up front. Talk to your work coach after you’ve made your claim.
\n\nRead more about childcare costs and Universal Credit.
\n\nYou might get an extra monthly amount if you cannot work because of a health condition, disability or long-term illness.
\n\n| How much you’ll get | \nExtra monthly amount | \n
|---|---|
| If you have a severe health condition or disability that’s unlikely to change or you are nearing the end of your life | \n£429.80 | \n
| If your health condition or disability is assessed as less severe or your condition may improve over time | \n£217.26 | \n
There are different rules if you reported a health condition before 6 April 2026.
\nIf you live with your partner and you both have limited capability for work and work-related activity, you’ll only get one extra monthly amount. You’ll get the higher amount if one of you is eligible for it.
\n\nIf you get the severe disability premium and you’re moving to Universal Credit, you might also be entitled to a ‘transitional protection’ payment.
\nRead more about health conditions, disability and Universal Credit.
\n\nYou could get an extra amount known as a ‘carer’s element’. This is added to your Universal Credit if you care for someone who gets one of the following benefits:
\n\nYou need to provide care for them for at least 35 hours a week.
\n\nYou’ll get an extra monthly amount of £209.34. If you live with your partner and you both care for the same person, you’ll only get one extra monthly amount.
\n\nYou may also be eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
\n\nThis is on top of any extra amount you get if you have a disabled child.
\n\nIf you are getting an extra amount because you have limited capability for work and work related activity (LCWRA), you cannot also get the carer’s element.
\n\nIf the person you care for gets the severe disability premium, it will stop when you claim the carer’s element of Universal Credit.
\nYou could get money to help pay your housing costs. The payment can cover rent and some service charges.
\n\nIf you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get a loan to help with interest payments on your mortgage.
\n\nYour payments might be reduced if any of the following apply:
\n\nyou are paying back an advance on a Universal Credit payment
\nyou would get above the amount limited by the benefit cap
\nyou’ve been overpaid benefits in the past
\nyou owe money for Council Tax, court fines, electricity, gas, water or Child Maintenance
\nyou pay your gas or electricity bill directly from your Universal Credit payment
\nyou have a paid job
\nyou have other income – for example, money from pensions or certain other benefits
\nyou have more than £6,000 in money, savings and investments
\nIf you have over £6,000 in money, savings and investments, your payment will be reduced by £4.35 for every £250 you have between £6,000 and £16,000. Another £4.35 is taken off for any remaining amount that is not a complete £250.
\n\nFind out more about money taken off your Universal Credit payment.
\n\nYou can get Universal Credit at the same time as other benefits. Your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by an amount equal to the other benefit’s payment. This applies when you get Universal Credit and any of the following benefits:
\n\nIf you’ve applied for Universal Credit, you’ll keep getting your current benefit paid for 2 more weeks. You must still be eligible for your current benefit.
\n\nThis only applies if you’re getting income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Housing Benefit.
\n\nYou will not need to pay back the extra payments and they will not affect the Universal Credit you might get.
\n\nIf you’ve received a Migration Notice letter telling you to claim Universal Credit, you might also get a ‘transitional protection’ payment.
\nIf you receive Universal Credit you may also be able to get other financial support depending on your circumstances.
\n\nYour claim might be reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right payment and support. Find out more about Universal Credit reviews.
\n\n","slug":"what-youll-get","title":"What you'll get"},{"body":"If you or your partner are working, how much Universal Credit you get will depend on how much you earn. There’s no limit to how many hours you can work and still get Universal Credit.
\n\nIf your wages go up, your Universal Credit payment will reduce. If you stop working or your wages go down, your payment will increase.
\n\nThere are different rules if you’re self-employed.
\nFor every £1 you earn from working, your Universal Credit payment goes down by 55p. Your income will be your wages plus your new Universal Credit payment.
\n\nUse a benefits calculator to see how your Universal Credit changes if your wages go up.
\n\nMost employers will report your wages for you. You will normally only need to report monthly earnings if you’re self-employed.
\n\nYou can earn a certain amount before your Universal Credit starts to be reduced if you or your partner are either:
\n\nThis amount is called a ‘work allowance’.
\n\nHow much you can earn before your Universal Credit payment is reduced depends on whether you get help with housing.
\n\nYou can earn up to £427 a month before your payment starts to reduce if either:
\n\nIf neither of these circumstances apply to you, you can earn up to £710 a month before your payment starts to reduce.
\n\nThe amount of Universal Credit you get is calculated each month. This is called your ‘monthly assessment period.’
\n\nYour Universal Credit amount should stay the same if your:
\n\nYour Universal Credit amount will be affected if you:
\n\nYou can check how much Universal Credit you’ll be paid by signing in to your online account.
\n\nRead more about Universal Credit and earnings.
\n\nAs you or your partner’s wages increase, your Universal Credit payments will reduce until you’re earning enough to no longer get Universal Credit. Your payments will then be stopped. You’ll be told when this happens.
\n\nIf your wages decrease after this, you could become eligible for Universal Credit again.
\n\nIf it’s been 6 months or less since your last Universal Credit payment, you’ll automatically start getting payments again. If it’s been more than 6 months, you’ll need to reapply for Universal Credit.
\n","slug":"how-your-wages-affect-your-payments","title":"How your wages affect your payments"},{"body":"Universal Credit is paid once a month, usually into your bank, building society or credit union account.
\n\nYour payment can include money for your rent or other housing costs. You’ll usually need to pay this to your landlord.
\n\nIf you’re not able to open a bank, building society or credit union account, call the Universal Credit helpline. They will be able to give you advice on arranging a different way of getting paid.
\n\nFind out how you’ll be paid if you’re in Northern Ireland.
\nIt usually takes around 5 weeks to get your first payment. If you need money while you wait for your first payment, you can apply for an advance.
\n\nUniversal Credit is calculated based on your circumstances each month. These are called your ‘assessment periods’. You’ll usually get your Universal Credit payment 7 days after each monthly assessment period ends.
\n\nChanges in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your assessment period. You should report a change of circumstances to get the correct payment.
\n\nYour first assessment period starts the day you make a claim.
\n\nExample
\n\nSam makes a new Universal Credit claim on 10 September.
\n\nSam’s first assessment period runs for one month to 9 October, with a new assessment period beginning on 10 October.
\n\nThey get paid on 17 October and then on the 17th of each month after that.
\nAfter the first payment, you’ll be paid on the same date of every month.
\n\nIf your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday, you’ll be paid on the working day before.
\n\nYou can see your monthly statement in your online account. This tells you how much Universal Credit you’re going to get.
\n\nYou can get paid once or twice a month.
\n\nIf you’re making a new claim, you’ll get a notification about how often you want to be paid. You get this after your first payment.
\n\nIf you’re already getting Universal Credit and have not had a notification, you can ask your work coach if you can be paid twice a month.
\n\nWhen you’re paid twice a month your first payment will be for a full month. You’ll get the first half of your second month’s payment a month after this. The second half will be paid 15 days later. This means there will be about a month and a half between your first payment and the full amount for your second month.
\n\nAfter this, you’ll be paid twice a month.
\n\nExample
\n\nYou get your first payment on 14 December. This payment is for a full month.
\n\nIf you’re paid twice a month, you get half of your second payment on 14 January and the other half on 29 January.
\n\nYou get paid on the 14th and 29th of each month after that.
\nIf you both claim Universal Credit, you’ll get one payment each month for your household.
\n\nIf you live in Scotland and you’ve chosen to be paid twice monthly, you’ll receive 2 payments each month for your household.
\n\nCall the Universal Credit helpline if you’re worried about getting access to this money.
\n\nYou can ask to have your Universal Credit paid differently if you need help managing a single monthly payment. This is called an alternative payment arrangement (APA). Having an APA could mean:
\n\nYou should contact Universal Credit after you’ve made a claim to ask for an APA. They’ll decide whether you should have an APA based on your circumstances.
\n\nYou’re more likely to get an APA if you have things like:
\n\nYou can apply for Universal Credit online.
\n\nYou need to create an account to make a claim. You must complete your claim within 28 days of creating your account or you will have to start again. Your claim starts on the date you submit it in your account.
\n\nIf you live with your partner, you will both need to create accounts. You’ll link them together when you claim. You cannot claim by yourself.
\n\nIf you cannot claim online, you can claim by phone through the Universal Credit helpline.
\n\nIf you already get benefits, you should work out if you’ll be better off before you or your partner claim Universal Credit.
\n\nIf you apply for Universal Credit those benefits might end and you will not be able to apply for them again, even if your application is not approved.
\n\nTo check if you’re better off, you can:
\n\nTo apply online you’ll need:
\n\nIf you do not have these, you can call the Universal Credit helpline or go to a jobcentre. You can also get support from the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service.
\n\nYou’ll also have to prove your identity. You’ll need some identity documents for this, for example your:
\n\nTo complete your claim you will need to provide information about:
\n\nYou might need an appointment with the Universal Credit team if:
\n\nYou’ll be told if this appointment will be in a jobcentre or on the phone.
\n\nYou will have to go to a meeting to agree the activities in your claimant commitment before you can get your first payment.
\n\nThere are 2 ways to get help with your Universal Credit claim. You can either call the Universal Credit helpline or use the Help to claim service.
\n\nCalls to the Universal Credit helpline are free.
\n\nUniversal Credit helpline
\nTelephone: 0800 328 5644
\nWelsh language: 0800 328 1744
\nRelay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
\nFind out about call charges
You can get free support from trained advisers to make a Universal Credit claim. They can help you with things like online applications or preparing for your first jobcentre appointment.
\n\nThe Help to Claim service is provided by Citizens Advice and is confidential. They will not share your personal information unless you agree.
\n\n\n\nSign in to your account to start a new claim.
\n\nIf you or your partner were delayed in making a claim through no fault of your own, you can backdate your claim by up to one month in certain circumstances.
\n\nYou may be able to backdate your claim if:
\n\nYou can request to backdate your claim in your Universal Credit account, call the Universal Credit helpline or speak to your work coach.
\n\nYou may be asked to provide evidence.
\n\nYou’ll be given:
\n\nIf they need to contact you, it will be in the first few weeks after you apply. They’ll send you journal messages in your online account. You’ll usually get a text or email if you get a new message.
\n\nYou need to sign in to your account to check your journal and to-do list.
\n\nYou’ll never be asked to share personal information (such as bank details) in your journal, by phone, text or email. Find out how to avoid and report scams and phishing.
\n\nCheck how and when you’ll be paid.
\n\nYou can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.
\n\n","slug":"how-to-claim","title":"How to claim"},{"body":"To get Universal Credit payments, you’ll need to accept an agreement called a ‘claimant commitment’.
\n\nThis is a record of what you agree to do to:
\n\nIf you live with your partner, you both have to claim Universal Credit. You’ll each have your own claimant commitment.
\n\nYou must do everything you agree to in your commitment or your payment could be reduced or stopped. This is called a sanction.
\n\nIf a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life, you will not need a claimant commitment and you will not get a sanction.
\nYou will have a meeting to discuss your claimant commitment, usually at the jobcentre. In this meeting you’ll discuss your circumstances and talk about anything that could make it hard for you to do what’s in your commitment. For example, if you have a mental health condition, or if you care for someone.
\n\nYou must accept your claimant commitment in your online account or your Universal Credit claim will be stopped.
\nYour claimant commitment is reviewed regularly and will change if your circumstances change. For example, if you get ill, your partner starts a job or you have a child.
\n\nYou might need to look for a job. If you have a job, you might need to look for a better paid job or try to work more hours.
\n\nWhat you need to do depends on if you:
\n\nIf you’re not able to work now but you will be able to in the future, you might need to prepare for work. This could include things like writing a CV or attending a training course.
\n\nIf you need to look for work, you will get help from a ‘work coach’. Your work coach can help with things like applying for jobs, accessing training or looking for work in your area.
\n\nYou may need to attend regular appointments. These are usually in the jobcentre, but could also be by phone.
\n\nIf you miss an appointment, you’ll need to provide a good reason for not attending. If your reason is not accepted, you could get a sanction and your Universal Credit payment will be reduced.
\n\nYou will have to manage your claim in your online account. You might have to reply to messages, record your childcare costs, or tell us what you’ve done to look for work.
\n\nYou’ll get a text or email when you need to do something in your online account.
\n\nYou will also have to report changes in your circumstances.
\n\nYou should contact the Universal Credit helpline for support straight away if you:
\n\nYou may be able to get a short pause or change to your claimant commitment in an emergency. For example, if you have a death in the family or are at risk of homelessness.
\n\nIf you do not do what is in your claimant commitment, you could get a sanction.
\n\nIf you cannot pay for your rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because you got a sanction, you can ask Universal Credit for a hardship payment.
\n\n","slug":"your-claimant-commitment","title":"Your claimant commitment"},{"body":"If you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs, you might be able to apply for an advance, hardship payment or other financial support.
\n\nYou can also check what other benefits you can get. You might be able to get different support in Scotland.
\nYou’ll need to check which type of advance you’re eligible for.
\n\nHow much you can get depends on your circumstances and what you need the advance for.
\n\nThe types you can get include:
\n\nYou must usually pay this back through your future Universal Credit payments.
\n\nIf you’re starting work or increasing your hours, you might also be able to get help to pay the upfront costs.
\n\nIf you’re having financial difficulties, you can ask to change the way your Universal Credit is paid.
\n\nYou may be able to apply for an alternative payment arrangement (APA).
\n\nYou or your landlord can ask that the money you get for housing is paid directly to them. This is a type of alternative payment arrangement called a ‘managed payment to landlord’.
\n\nIf your landlord applies, you’ll get an email or a text from Universal Credit asking you to check your online account. You’ll need to sign in within 7 days of being notified and say if you object or not.
\n\nYour Universal Credit payments will stop until a decision is made. You might be able to get financial support to help you.
\n\nFind out when you can object by reading the ‘Landlord requests’ section of the alternative payment arrangements guidance.
\n\nIf you need help to manage your budget or bills, you can get free advice.
\n\nYou can get help to take care of your living costs including support with your utility bills, housing costs or NHS prescriptions.
\n\n","slug":"get-advance-or-financial-support","title":"Get an advance or other financial support"},{"body":"You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount each month.
\n\nYou need to report changes as soon as they happen. Any delay may mean you receive too much money and will have to make a repayment.
\n\nChanges in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your whole assessment period - not just from the date you report them.
\n\nChanges can include:
\n\nYou could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.
\nYou can report a change of circumstances by signing in to your Universal Credit account.
\n\nUse a benefits calculator or speak with your work coach to find out how getting a job or an increase in your earnings might affect your Universal Credit claim.
\n\nMost employers will report your earnings for you. You will normally only need to report monthly earnings if you are self-employed.
\n\nIf your change of circumstance means you’ll be eligible for more money, you can apply for an advance on your payment.
\n\nYou may have to repay the money if you:
\n\nFind out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.
\n","slug":"changes-of-circumstances","title":"Report a change of circumstances"},{"body":"You can contact Universal Credit:
\n\nUniversal Credit helpline
\nTelephone: 0800 328 5644
\nRelay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
\nWelsh language: 0800 328 1744
\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
\nFind out about call charges
If you live in Northern Ireland and you want to use a helpline, contact the Universal Credit Service Centre instead.
\nYou could get New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) at the same time or instead of Universal Credit.
\n\nYou can apply for New Style ESA online or contact the Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline.
\n\nJobcentre Plus new claims helpline for ESA
\nTelephone: 0800 055 6688
\nRelay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 055 6688
\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
\nWelsh language telephone: 0800 328 1744
\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
\nFind out about call charges
You can apply for New Style JSA online or contact the Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline.
\n\nJobcentre Plus new claims helpline for JSA
\nTelephone: 0800 055 6688
\nRelay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 055 6688
\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
\nWelsh language: 0800 012 1888
\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
\nFind out about call charges
Contact the Jobcentre Plus helpline.
\n\nJobcentre Plus
\nTelephone: 0800 169 0310
\nRelay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310
\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
\nWelsh language: 0800 328 1744
\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
\nFind out about call charges