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\n You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.\n\n This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) and in an easy read format.\n If you live in Northern Ireland, go to Universal Credit in Northern Ireland. Sign in to your Universal Credit account if you already have one. Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits: If you’re getting any of these benefits, you do not need to do anything unless either: If you get a Migration Notice, you must move to Universal Credit by the deadline date in your letter to keep getting financial support. You’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. You’ll continue getting any other benefits you already receive, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance. If you get certain other benefits at the same time as Universal Credit, the amount of Universal Credit you receive will be reduced. 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: To claim you must: You can use a benefits calculator to check what benefits you could get. You 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. You 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. If 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. If 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. You can make a claim for Universal Credit if you’re in full-time education and any of the following apply: You 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. You may be able to claim if you are studying part-time or doing a course for which no student loan or finance is available. Check the guidance about claiming Universal Credit as a student. You 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: You can make a claim for Universal Credit if any of the following apply: If you have a health condition that affects your ability to work you might get extra money for Universal Credit. If 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. Universal Credit is paid monthly. How much you get depends on: See how much you could get by using a benefits calculator. You’ll get one standard allowance for your household.Sign in
\n\nIf you already get other benefits
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n\nIf you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
\n\nIf you live with your partner
\n\nIf one of you has reached State Pension age
\n\nIf you’re studying or in training
\n\n\n
\n\nStudents with disabilities or health conditions
\n\n\n
\n\nClaiming if you’re 16 or 17
\n\n\n
\n\nIf you have a disability or health condition
\n\nIf you’re in the armed forces
\n\n\n
\n\nStandard allowance
\n\n
| How much you’ll get | \nMonthly standard allowance | \n
|---|---|
| If you’re single and under 25 | \n£316.98 | \n
| If you’re single and 25 or over | \n£400.14 | \n
| If you live with your partner and you’re both under 25 | \n£497.55 (for you both) | \n
| If you live with your partner and either of you are 25 or over | \n£628.10 (for you both) | \n
Extra amounts
\n\nYou 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\nIf you have children
\n\nYou could get an extra amount for your children if they live with you. You would get the extra amount until the 31 August after their:
\n\n- \n
- 16th birthday \n
- 19th birthday, if they’re in eligible education or training – for example, they’re studying for GCSEs, A levels, BTECs, Scottish Highers and SVQs or NVQs up to level 3 \n
You’ll only get an extra amount for your first and second child. You will not get an extra amount for any more children unless:
\n\n- \n
- your children were born before 6 April 2017 \n
- you were already claiming for 3 or more children before 6 April 2017 \n
- other exceptions apply\n \n
| How much you’ll get | \nExtra monthly amount | \n
|---|---|
| For your first child (born before 6 April 2017) | \n£339 | \n
| For your first child (born on or after 6 April 2017) | \n£292.81 | \n
| For your second child and any other eligible children | \n£292.81 per child | \n
If your child has a disability
\n\nYou might get an extra monthly amount if any of your children are disabled. You’ll get this extra amount no matter how many children you have.
\n\nYou’ll get:
\n\n- \n
- \n
£158.76 if you get the lower rate
\n \n - \n
£495.87 if you get the higher rate
\n \n
The amount you get depends on the benefits your child receives and whether they have specific disabilities.
\n\nChildcare costs
\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\n- \n
- \n
£1,031.88 for one child
\n \n - \n
£1,768.94 for 2 or more children
\n \n
You 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\nIf you have a disability or health condition
\n\n| How much you’ll get | \nExtra monthly amount | \n
|---|---|
| If you have limited capability for work and work-related activity | \n£423.27 | \n
| If you have limited capability for work and you started your health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017 | \n£158.76 | \n
If 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.
\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\nIf you care for someone who gets a health or disability-related benefit
\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\n- \n
- Adult Disability Payment – standard or enhanced award \n
- \nArmed Forces Independence Payment \n
- Attendance Allowance \n
- Child Disability Payment – middle or highest care award \n
- \nConstant Attendance Allowance - full day rate, intermediate rate or exceptional rate with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit \n
- \nConstant Attendance Allowance - full day rate with a War Disablement Pension \n
- Disability Living Allowance – middle or highest care rate \n
- Personal Independence Payment – either rate of the daily living part \n
You need to provide care for them for at least 35 hours a week.
\n\nYou’ll get an extra monthly amount of £201.68. 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.
\nHousing costs
\n\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\nMoney taken off your payment
\n\nYour payments might be reduced if any of the following apply:
\n\n- \n
- \n
you are paying back an advance on a Universal Credit payment
\n \n - \n
you would get above the amount limited by the benefit cap
\n \n - \n
you’ve been overpaid benefits in the past
\n \n - \n
you owe money for Council Tax, court fines, electricity, gas, water or Child Maintenance
\n \n - \n
you pay your gas or electricity bill directly from your Universal Credit payment
\n \n - \n
you have a paid job
\n \n - \n
you have other income – for example, money from pensions or certain other benefits
\n \n - \n
you have more than £6,000 in money, savings and investments
\n \n
If 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\nBenefits that affect how much Universal Credit you get
\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\n- \n
- Armed Forces Pensions \n
- Carer’s Allowance \n
- Carer Support Payment (Scotland) \n
- Incapacity Benefit \n
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (excluding any increases where constant attendance is needed and for exceptionally severe disablement) \n
- Maternity Allowance \n
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance \n
- New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance \n
- Severe Disablement Allowance \n
- State Pension \n
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance \n
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance \n
Moving to Universal Credit from other 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:
\n\n- \n
- \n
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
\n \n - \n
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
\n \n - \n
Income Support
\n \n - \n
Housing Benefit
\n \n
You 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.
\nOther support you could get
\n\nIf you receive Universal Credit you may also be able to get other financial support depending on your circumstances.
\n\nIf your Universal Credit claim is reviewed
\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" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How your wages affect your payments", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-your-wages-affect-your-payments", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-your-wages-affect-your-payments", "text": "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\nIf you have a disability, health condition or have children
\n\nYou can earn a certain amount before your Universal Credit starts to be reduced if you or your partner are either:
\n\n- \n
- responsible for a child or young person \n
- living with a disability or health condition that affects your ability to work \n
This amount is called a ‘work allowance’.
\n\nWorking out your 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 £411 a month before your payment starts to reduce if either:
\n\n- \n
- you get help with housing costs through Universal Credit \n
- you live in temporary accommodation arranged by your council because you’re homeless \n
If neither of these circumstances apply to you, you can earn up to £684 a month before your payment starts to reduce.
\n\nHow often and how much you’re paid
\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\n- \n
- employer pays you the same amount each month \n
- employer pays you on the same date \n
- personal circumstances do not change \n
Your Universal Credit amount will be affected if you:
\n\n- \n
- do not get paid during a monthly assessment period \n
- get paid more than once in a monthly assessment period \n
- earn a different amount in each monthly assessment period \n
You 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\nIf your Universal Credit payment stops because your wages increased
\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" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How you're paid", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-youre-paid", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-youre-paid", "text": "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.
\nYour first payment
\n\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\nYour monthly assessment periods
\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.
\nPayment dates
\n\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\nIf you live in Scotland
\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 live with a partner
\n\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\nAsk to change how you’re paid
\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\n- \n
- your rent is paid directly to your landlord \n
- you receive payments twice a month instead of once a month \n
- you arrange to get a separate payment from your partner \n
You 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\n- \n
- unpaid rent (also known as being in ‘rent arrears’) \n
- addiction problems \n
- mental health issues \n
- learning difficulties \n
- experience of homelessness \n
- experience of domestic abuse \n
You 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\nCheck if you’re better off on Universal Credit before you apply
\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\n- \n
- \n
use a benefits calculator
\n \n - \n \n \n
- \n
ask a local benefits adviser
\n \n
What you need to apply
\n\nTo apply online you’ll need:
\n\n- \n
- your bank, building society or credit union account details \n
- an email address \n
- access to a phone \n
If 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\n- \n
- driving licence \n
- passport \n
- debit or credit card \n
- payslip or P60 \n
To complete your claim you will need to provide information about:
\n\n- \n
- \nyour housing, for example how much rent you pay \n
- your earnings, for example payslips \n
- your National Insurance number, if you have one \n
- other benefits you get \n
- any disability or health condition that affects your work \n
- how much you pay for childcare if you want help with childcare costs \n
- your savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out \n
You might need an appointment with the Universal Credit team if:
\n\n- \n
- they need more information \n
- you cannot verify your identity online \n
You’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\nApply for Universal Credit online
\n\n\n\nHelp with your claim
\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
\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
\nTextphone: 0800 328 1344
\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
\nFind out about call charges
Help to Claim
\n\nYou 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\nIf you’ve claimed Universal Credit before
\n\nSign in to your account to start a new claim.
\n\nIf you could not make a 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\n- \n
- you have a disability \n
- you’ve had health problems that stopped you from claiming earlier \n
- the online service was not working and you claimed as soon as it was working again \n
- you were getting a different benefit before and you were not told it was going to stop \n
- you started a claim with a partner, but they did not complete their claim and now you’re claiming as a single person \n
You 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\nAfter you apply
\n\nYou’ll be given:
\n\n- \n
- a case manager who will check your claim and help you manage your Universal Credit \n
- a work coach if you need to look for work as part of your claimant commitment\n \n
If 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\nYour first payment
\n\nCheck how and when you’ll be paid.
\n\nIf you disagree with a decision
\n\nYou can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.
\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Your claimant commitment", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment", "text": "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\n- \n
- prepare for and look for work \n
- increase your earnings, if you are already working. \n
If 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.
\nAgreeing your commitments
\n\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\nIf you need to look for work
\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\n- \n
- have a health condition or are disabled \n
- care for someone \n
- have a child under 13 \n
- earn above a certain amount (the ‘administrative earnings threshold’) \n
If 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\nYour work coach
\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\nAttending appointments
\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\nManaging your claim online
\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\nGet help and support
\n\nYou should contact the Universal Credit helpline for support straight away if you:
\n\n- \n
- are unable to manage your claim online and need to claim by phone \n
- cannot do the things you’ve agreed to in your claimant commitment \n
- are unable to respond to a message or do something you’re asked to in your online account \n
- will miss an appointment \n
You 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\nHelp if your payment is stopped or reduced
\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" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Get an advance or other financial support", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/get-advance-or-financial-support", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/get-advance-or-financial-support", "text": "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.
\nApplying for an advance or hardship payment
\n\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\n- \n
- an advance on your first payment \n
- a hardship payment if your payment is stopped or reduced \n
- an advance for unexpected costs \n
- help with job expenses \n
- an advance if your circumstances have changed \n
You must usually pay this back through your future Universal Credit payments.
\n\nGet help with upfront childcare costs
\n\nIf you’re starting work or increasing your hours, you might also be able to get help to pay the upfront costs.
\n\nHow to change your monthly Universal Credit
\n\nIf you’re having financial difficulties or you’re behind on your rent, you can ask to change the way your Universal Credit is paid.
\n\nYou or your landlord may be able to apply for an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA).
\n\nAdvice on money and debt
\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" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Report a change of circumstances", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances", "text": "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\n- \n
- finding or finishing a job \n
- having a child \n
- moving in with your partner \n
- starting to care for a child or disabled person \n
- your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19 \n
- changing your mobile number or email address \n
- moving to a new address \n
- going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there \n
- going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there \n
- changing your bank details \n
- your rent going up or down \n
- changes to your health condition \n
- becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach \n
- if a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life\n \n
- changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed) \n
- changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have\n \n
- changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen \n
You 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.
\nHow to report
\n\nYou can report a change of circumstances by signing in to your Universal Credit account.
\n\nIf you get a job or increase the hours you work
\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\nGet an advance if your circumstances have changed
\n\nIf your change of circumstance means you’ll be eligible for more money, you can apply for an advance on your payment.
\n\nIf you’ve been paid too much
\n\nYou may have to repay the money if you:
\n\n- \n
- did not report a change straight away \n
- gave wrong information \n
- were overpaid by mistake \n
Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.
\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Contact Universal Credit", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit", "text": "You can contact Universal Credit:
\n\n- \n
- through your online account\n \n
- by calling the Universal Credit helpline \n
Universal Credit helpline
\nTelephone: 0800 328 5644
\nTextphone: 0800 328 1344
\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.
\nIf your query is about claiming New Style benefits with Universal Credit
\n\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\nApply for New Style ESA\n
\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
\nTextphone: 0800 328 1344
\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
Apply for New Style JSA\n
\n\nYou 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
\nTextphone: 0800 023 4888
\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
If you have a query about an existing claim for New Style ESA or JSA\n
\n\nContact the Jobcentre Plus helpline.
\n\nJobcentre Plus
\nTelephone: 0800 169 0310
\nTextphone: 0800 169 0314
\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
Universal Credit
What Universal Credit is
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland.
You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) and in an easy read format.
If you live in Northern Ireland, go to Universal Credit in Northern Ireland.
Sign in
Sign in to your Universal Credit account if you already have one.
If you already get other benefits
Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits:
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you’re getting any of these benefits, you do not need to do anything unless either:
- your circumstances change
- you get a letter called a ‘Migration Notice’ telling you that you must claim Universal Credit
If you get a Migration Notice, you must move to Universal Credit by the deadline date in your letter to keep getting financial support.
You’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.
You’ll continue getting any other benefits you already receive, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance.
If you get certain other benefits at the same time as Universal Credit, the amount of Universal Credit you receive will be reduced.
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