Guidance

Universal Credit guides

Detailed information about Universal Credit.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 21 March 2013
• Last updated: 15 June 2018
  Show all updates

  1. 15 June 2018

     Removed out of date Universal Credit video.

  2. 13 June 2018

     Removed the old Universal Credit video and content. Added links to Universal Credit collection pages and the Universal Credit in action video.

  3. 29 November 2017

     Published a revised version of the 2 child limit flowchart.

  4. 11 April 2017

     Added flowchart explaining the 2 child limit to Universal Credit claims.

  5. 6 April 2017

     Added information about the 2 child limit for claimants.

  6. 23 September 2016

     Added information about differnet earnings patterns and how these may affect Universal Credit payments.

  7. 29 April 2016

     Removed guides for people claiming Universal Credit in Croydon, Hounslow, Musselburgh, Southwark and Sutton. This information is now included in other guides on this page.

  8. 27 January 2016

     Amended link text to include Hounslow due to digital service rollout.

  9. 12 February 2015

     Updated with the latest information about Universal Credit, including links to illustrated guides and videos.

  10. 17 December 2014

      Published revised version of 'James is better off for every extra hour he works with Universal Credit' video.

  11. 2 December 2014

      New short film added - Universal Credit: managing your money - that introduces the support that’s available with Universal Credit to help you manage your money.

  12. 13 November 2014

      Added Universal Credit and families guides, these are: Universal Credit and your family, How Universal Credit supports families, Universal Credit and families questions and answers and Claimant journey for families

  13. 1 July 2014

      Updated to provide the latest information about Universal Credit, including 3 new publications - 'Managing Universal Credit payments', 'Prepare for Universal Credit payments' and 'Universal Credit and couples questions and answers'.

  14. 23 June 2014

      Added new guide 'How Universal Credit helps make work pay'.

  15. 20 June 2014

      Updated to provide the latest information about Universal Credit. Also added 3 new 'Universal Credit and couples' publications - 'an introduction', 'the claimant journey' and 'the stages in making a joint claim'.

  16. 29 April 2014

      Added 1 PDF: 'How Universal Credit can help your business'.

  17. 8 April 2014

      Published new version of 'James is better off for every extra hour he works with Universal Credit' video, updated with the 2014 to 2015 benefit rates.

  18. 7 April 2014

      Added 2 new PDF's, 'How Universal Credit helps to make work pay by topping up earnings' and 'How Universal Credit helps to make work pay'.

  19. 7 April 2014

      Added "Introduction to Universal Credit" video

  20. 26 March 2014

      Added video giving an employer's view of Universal Credit

  21. 29 January 2014

      Published guidance on Universal Credit and rented housing.

  22. 5 November 2013

      link added to new video for 'James claims Universal Credit'

  23. 30 October 2013

      Page and quick guides updated to reflect recent changes to where Universal Credit is available

  24. 28 October 2013

      Added a link to a list of information that claimants need to have ready before they start their claim for Universal Credit.

  25. 29 August 2013

      Announcement that the Claimant Commitment approach used for Universal Credit will be extended to new claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance.

  26. 29 July 2013

      Minor amendments to "Claiming Universal Credit", "Universal Credit claim journey" and the Universal Credit illustration "James checks his eligibility to claim Universal Credit in the Pathfinder" to reflect extension of the pathfinder to Oldham and Warrington.

  27. 27 June 2013

      Removed link to sample press release publication.

  28. 25 June 2013

      Added back link to sample press release.

  29. 25 June 2013

      Removed link to sample press article for re-use in media channels.

  30. 31 May 2013

      Videos of 3 'illustrations' showing 'James' checking if he is eligible to claim Universal Credit, claiming Universal Credit and finding out he is better off under Universal Credit for every extra hour he works.

  31. 23 May 2013

      Information about how to access and use th Universal Credit visual identity added.

  32. 10 May 2013

      Two videos published showing how Gary and Bianca found a job. Three illustrations published featuring ‘James’ as he checks his Universal Credit eligibility, makes a Universal Credit claim, and starts work.

  33. 29 April 2013

      Updated to take account of the start of the Universal Credit Pathfinder.

  34. 21 March 2013

      First published.

These Universal Credit collection pages contain more detailed information to support the high level information in the Universal Credit main guide.

Universal Credit: information for claimants

Universal Credit: information for stakeholders and partners

Universal Credit: information for landlords

Universal Credit: information for employers