Universal Credit

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How to claim

Apply for Universal Credit online.

You have to apply as a couple if you and your partner live together. You do not need to be married.

The Universal Credit team might phone you after you’ve sent your application if they need more information or if you cannot verify your identity online.

You cannot claim Universal Credit and tax credits at the same time. If you get tax credits, they will stop when you or your partner applies for Universal Credit. Check how tax credits and Universal Credit affect each other.

What you need to apply

You’ll need:

  • your bank, building society or credit union account details (call the Universal Credit helpline if you do not have one)
  • an email address
  • information about your housing, for example how much rent you pay
  • details of your income, for example payslips
  • details of savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out
  • details of how much you pay for childcare if you’re applying for help with childcare costs

If you do not provide the right information when you apply it might affect when you get paid or how much you get.

You also have to verify your identity online. You’ll need some proof of identity for this, for example your:

  • driving licence
  • passport
  • debit or credit card

Apply for Universal Credit online

Apply now

If you cannot verify your identity online

The Universal Credit team will phone you to help you verify your identity.

Help with your application

If you need help with your application, ask straight away - the sooner you apply for Universal Credit, the sooner you get your first payment.

There are 2 ways to get help with your Universal Credit application.

Universal Credit helpline

Contact the Universal Credit helpline if:

  • you cannot use digital services at all, this might be due to disability or your circumstances

  • you have a question about your claim and cannot access your online claim

Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service

You can use the BSL video relay service to make a claim.

Find out what you need to do to use the service.

The service is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Help to Claim

Help to Claim can support you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim, from the online application, through to support with your application before your first full payment.

It’s a free, independent, confidential and impartial service provided by trained advisers from Citizens Advice. They can help with things like how to gather evidence for your application or how to prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment.

Get Help to Claim:

After you apply

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will make an appointment to talk to you, either over the phone or face-to-face.

If you have a disability or illness that affects your work

You may need a Work Capability Assessment to see how your disability or health condition affects your ability to work.

Depending on the outcome of your assessment you may be eligible for an extra amount on top of your standard allowance.

Terminal illness

If you’re terminally ill, you may get extra money for Universal Credit.

If you’re making a new claim, you can declare this during your application. If you’ve already made a claim, you’ll need to report this as a change of circumstances.

If you’ve claimed Universal Credit before

You can sign in to your account to make a new claim if you’ve claimed Universal Credit at any time during the last 6 months.

If you stopped claiming more than 6 months ago, you’ll need to reapply for Universal Credit.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

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Part of How to claim Universal Credit: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you're eligible

    1. Check if you're eligible for Universal Credit

    If you've worked in the last 2 to 3 years, you may also be eligible for:

  2. Step 2 Create an account and make a claim

    You need an online account to claim Universal Credit.

    1. You are currently viewing: Set up an account and make a claim

    You must submit your claim within 28 days of creating your account.

    If you live with your partner, they will also need to set up an account. You'll be given a code to link the accounts together.

  3. and Find out how your claim is assessed

    You'll need to have an interview with Jobcentre Plus. You'll be told how to arrange this after you submit your claim. It will be within 10 working days.

    If you have a disability or health condition you may need a work capability assessment. You'll be told if you need one after you claim.

    1. What to do if you have a health condition or disability

  4. Step 3 Apply for an advance on your first payment

    If you need help with bills or other costs while you wait for your first payment, you can apply to get an advance.

    1. Get an advance on your first Universal Credit payment
    2. Check if you can get any other financial support

  5. Step 4 Get your first payment

    You’ll get your first payment 5 weeks after you claim. Your account will be updated to tell you how much it will be.

    1. What to do if you disagree with the decision

  6. Step 5 Report any change of circumstances

    You must update your account if your circumstances change to get the right payment.

    1. How to report a change in circumstances
    2. What to do if your payments are stopped