To claim Universal Credit you need to set up your online account at GOV.UK: Universal Credit online.
You will need:
- an email address
- a mobile phone number
- and will be asked to create a user name, password and security questions
Remember to keep your user name, password and personal data safe. Don’t share them with anyone as this information could put you at risk of identity fraud.
How to make a joint claim
If you have a partner, you will both need to create your own account to claim as a couple. Watch a video by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on how to make a joint claim:
Submitting a claim
When you have set up your account, you can begin your Universal Credit application. Watch a video by the DWP on how to submit a claim:
Information you need to supply
Some of this information may not be needed at the start of your claim, however, you will need to provide it before you can receive your first Universal Credit payment. If you unable to provide this information it may mean your first payment is delayed.
You will be asked to supply the following:
- email address
- telephone number
- postcode
- National Insurance number
- proof of your nationality
- housing details
- details about people who live with you – such as your partner, children you are responsible for, or lodgers
- Child Benefit reference numbers, if you receive Child Benefit
- employer details, if you or your partner are working
- details about any earnings or other income you or your partner have
- details of any savings, investments or other capital you or your partner have
- details of any other benefits you receive
- information about your health
- bank, building society or credit union account details you wish your payment to go into – this will need to be a current account, not a savings account, and should be in your name
Please be aware that if you submit a claim for Universal Credit your tax credits and some other DWP benefits will end immediately and cannot be re-opened, and it will not be possible to make a claim in the future, even if you are not eligible for Universal Credit.
Support and advice
Support and advice is available from our Universal Credit Support Team. You can also contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 or support is available from Citizens Advice: Help to Claim.
Overview on how to claim
Watch a full service overview video by the DWP on how to a claim:
Navigating around your journal
Watch a video by the DWP on how to navigate your journal:
Claimant commitment
When you claim Universal Credit you will need to accept your claimant commitment.
Your claimant commitment will set out what you have agreed to do to prepare for and look for work, or to increase your earnings if you are already working. It will be based on your personal circumstances and will be reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. Each time it is updated, you will need to accept a new claimant commitment to keep receiving Universal Credit.
The claimant commitment is your record of the responsibilities that you have accepted in return for receiving your Universal Credit payment, and the consequences of not meeting them.
Your Universal Credit payments may be cut if you don’t meet your responsibilities. This is called a sanction.
Advance payment
When you are paid Universal Credit this is in arrears and you will receive your payment in five weeks.
You can apply for an advance payment if you need money before your Universal Credit payment arrives. The payment needs to be paid back and this will be deducted from your ongoing Universal Credit monthly payment until it is paid off.
Apply for an advance payment at GOV.UK: Universal Credit advances.