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Guidance

Universal Credit and prison leavers

Information for prison leavers, work coaches and probation officers about Universal Credit.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published:
4 May 2018
Last updated:
10 June 2026
Show all updates

  1. Linked to new guidance on Universal Credit documents you'll need to prove your identity.

  2. Guide for supporting organisations, acceptable ID section: bank cards can no longer be used as primary identification documentary evidence, form B79 can no longer be used as secondary evidence.

  3. Discretionary Housing Payments updated for Wales and Scotland. New section added with information about the Crisis and Resilience Fund for England.

  4. 'Universal Credit for prison leavers' has been updated for clarity and to be easier to read. There has been no change in law or policy.

  5. Minor typographical error corrected in the 'Supporting prison leavers' guide to clarify that a Northern Ireland claimant, when they are in Northern Ireland, can also use their electoral ID card as primary evidence for their ID in addition to the other listed options.

  6. Updated the accepted ID list in ‘Supporting prison leavers: a guide to Universal Credit’ for consistency with the homelessness guide. Primary documents must be current where necessary. As an exception to the CSIV (Common Standards for Identity Verification) claimants can use expired documents, but the documents must show a true likeness. Added to the primary evidence section: 'Any national identity card except those from UK ID card scheme’ and also 'Any eVisa from the United Kingdom Border Agency added for 6 months or more'. Also amended the secondary evidence section: Added 'Non-UK driving licence' and removed 'Post Office Card'.

  7. ‘Advances’ section: renamed the ‘Flexible Support Fund’ sub-section. The new name ‘Removing barriers to work’ clarifies this type of support.

  8. Guidance for supporting organisations: an expired biometric residence permit (BRP) can no longer be accepted as evidence of identity. Removed expired BRPs as acceptable ID.

  9. Added that expired biometric residence permits can be accepted as proof of ID.

  10. Added that eVisas are an acceptable form of ID for Universal Credit.

  11. Supporting prison leavers html publication: added Carer Support Payment (Scotland only) to the list of other benefits prison leavers may be able to claim.

  12. Updated how prison leavers can verify their identity in 'Supporting prison leavers: a guide to Universal Credit'. You can no longer use GOV.UK Verify.

  13. Replaced Money Advice Service information with links to MoneyHelper.

  14. If you apply for a Universal Credit advance on or after 12 April 2021, the time you must usually pay back the advance has been extended from 12 to 24 months. The most that can normally be taken from your Universal Credit payment to repay a debt has changed from 30% to 25% of your Universal Credit Standard Allowance.

  15. From 27 January 2021 you can claim claim New Style JSA if you’re getting Severe Disability Premium (SDP), or if you received SDP in the last month and are still eligible for it.

  16. Removed the wording 'You will not get a sanction if you cannot keep to your Claimant Commitment because of coronavirus (COVID-19)'.

  17. Changed the maximum amount of repayment of a Universal Credit advance from 40% to 30% of the claimant's Universal Credit standard allowance.

  18. Updated guidance on applying for an advance. You can now apply for an advance through your online account, by asking your Jobcentre Plus work coach or by calling the Universal Credit helpline. You will now need to verify your identity at a jobcentre first.

  19. Updated the ‘Supporting prison leavers: a guide to Universal Credit’ attachments.

  20. Added a new guide for people supporting prison leavers with their Universal Credit claim.

  21. Replaced various attachments with text and a print and fold guide.

  22. Added information about 'Help to Claim'.

  23. All attachments updated to remove references to Universal Credit full service and Universal Credit live service. Details about new style Jobseeker's Allowance and new style Employment and Support Allowance also added.

  24. Removed references to Universal Credit full service and live service from the guide 'Universal Credit: guide for prison leavers who don't have a work coach'.

  25. Universal Credit live service telephone helpline opening hours changed to 9am to 4pm.

  26. First published.

Documents

Universal Credit for prison leavers

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Supporting prison leavers: a guide to Universal Credit

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Details

Information for prison leavers, work coaches and probation officers about Universal Credit.

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