How to apply for Universal Credit

To apply for Universal Credit, you’ll need:

• bank account details
• an email address
• proof of identity – like a passport, driving licence, debit or credit card.

Plus, you’ll need details of your:

• income
• housing costs – like rent, mortgage and service charges
• childcare costs
• savings and investments
• P45 form – if you’ve lost your job.

If you’re worried about proving your identity, or you don’t have the right documents, speak to a free Universal Credit adviser for help.

If you’re making a new claim for benefits, it’s usually best to apply as soon as you can. This is because Universal Credit payments can only be backdated by one month.

But, if you’re claiming as you’ve lost your job or you’re moving from existing benefits, timing your application can affect how much you get. Here’s how.

Universal Credit is based on your earnings from the previous month. This means it might be worth waiting until you’ve received your final pay cheque before applying, especially if it includes extra money such as:

• redundancy pay 
• pay for holiday you hadn’t taken.

If you get your wages after applying, it may look like you’ve earned too much to claim Universal Credit, requiring you to wait another month until your earnings drop.

You must report a change in your circumstancesOpens in a new window straightaway if something has happened in your life that could affect your benefits, for example: 

• getting or losing a job
• having a baby
• your partner moving in or out of your home.

You’ll be told what to do next and whether you need to claim Universal Credit. For more help, see our guide Moving to Universal Credit from legacy benefits.

If you get a ‘Migration Notice’ from DWP, you have three months to apply before your existing benefits stop.

It can take a while to get all your paperwork together, so act quickly. If you’re worried about how to deal with it, there’s lots of support to make sure you don’t miss the deadline.

For more information and help:

• speak to a free Universal Credit adviser
• see our guide Moving to Universal Credit from legacy benefits.

Universal Credit is available to prison leavers. If you’re about to leave prison there are a few things you can do before your release to make sure your claim goes smoothly and your first payment is as quick as possible. 

Before your release you will meet with staff from your resettlement team (if you’re in England or Wales) to discuss housing, finance, benefits and education. The week before release. The prison work coach will help you prepare your claim and will book your interview at the Jobcentre.

You can visit Gov.uk for an in-depth guide that will take you through the basics of how to make and manage a new Universal Credit claimOpens in a new window - including how to find out if an advance payment is right for you. You’ll need a bank account to get your payments. Our guide covering how to open a bank account for your benefits payments will help you set one up.  

Your prison work coach or resettlement team can help if you have further questions.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland you will not have access to a resettlement team. You should make your claim as soon as possible after your release. See our guides on How to apply for Universal Credit if you are in Scotland and How to apply for Universal Credit if you are in Northern Ireland for more details. 

Create an account and apply for Universal Credit online at GOV.UKOpens in a new window

You can start your application and return to it later, but it must be completed within 28 days or it resets.

If you can’t apply online, call the Universal Credit HelplineOpens in a new window or Universal Credit Service CentreOpens in a new window in Northern Ireland. They might arrange for someone to call you back or visit your home.

For help with your application, speak to a free Citizens Advice Help to Claim adviser

After you’ve applied, there’s usually a five-week wait for your first Universal Credit payment. This includes:

• a four-week assessment period to work out how much you’ll get
• up to seven days for you to get the money.

If the payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, you’ll usually get the money the working day before.

See our guide Help managing your money while waiting for your first Universal Credit payment for what to do while you wait, including how to apply for advance payments if you’ll struggle.