Universal Credit: how to claim step by step (2026)
Updated: 2026-10-21
You claim Universal Credit online: create an account and submit your claim within 28 days. Then you prove your identity, agree a claimant commitment at the jobcentre, and get your first payment about 5 weeks after you claim.
Who can claim Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a monthly payment for people on a low income, out of work, or unable to work because of a health condition. GOV.UK says you usually need to live in the UK, be 18 or over (some 16 and 17 year olds can claim), be under State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments. If you live with a partner, you must claim together.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. GOV.UK says you might need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Citizens Advice explains that with pre-settled status you also need a "right to reside", for example as a worker or self-employed person, if you kept worker status after your job ended, as the family member of someone with a right to reside, or after 5 years in the UK. Being only a jobseeker is not enough for Universal Credit. Immigration is a regulated topic, so ask Citizens Advice or a registered immigration adviser if you are unsure.
What do I need before I start?
- a bank, building society or credit union account
- an email address and a phone
- ID, such as a passport, driving licence, bank card, payslip or P60
- your National Insurance number, if you have one
- your rent and housing details
- payslips, other benefits, savings and investments
- childcare costs and health details, if they apply
- your partner's details, if you live together
No bank account, email or phone? Call the helpline on 0800 328 5644 or visit a jobcentre.
How do I claim, step by step?
- If you already get benefits, check first with a benefits calculator or Help to Claim. Old benefits may stop and you may not get them back, even if Universal Credit is refused.
- Create an online account on GOV.UK.
- Submit the claim within 28 days. Your claim starts on the day you submit it.
- A partner creates their own account and you link them with a code.
- Check the "to-do list" in your account and do every task on time. Late tasks can delay or stop payment.
- Prove your identity. Online you usually need 2 of these: UK passport, UK driving licence, recent Self Assessment returns or credit records. Otherwise you get a phone interview or a jobcentre appointment.
- Go to your jobcentre interview. GOV.UK says it takes place within 10 working days of your claim.
- Agree your claimant commitment (what you will do to find work or earn more) and accept it in your online account. If you do not, your claim will be stopped.
- Ask for an advance if you cannot wait for the first payment.
- Report changes in your circumstances in your account.
If you will miss an appointment, tell your work coach straight away with a good reason, or your payment may be cut (a sanction).
When will I get my first payment?
Usually about 5 weeks after you claim. Universal Credit is worked out for monthly "assessment periods". The first starts on the day you claim, and you are paid about 7 days after it ends.
Advance payment. Ask in your journal, through your work coach or on the helpline. The most you can get is your first estimated payment, and you usually hear the same day. It is a loan, paid back from your Universal Credit, usually over 24 months. You can ask to delay repayments by 3 months.
I already get benefits. What about a Migration Notice?
Tax credits, income-based JSA and Income Support have ended. Income-related ESA and Housing Benefit are ending (Housing Benefit stays for supported or temporary accommodation). PIP is not affected. A Migration Notice letter tells you to claim Universal Credit by a deadline date. Claim on time and, if Universal Credit would be lower, you get an automatic top up called transitional protection.
How much time do I have?
| Event | Counted from | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submit the online claim | Creating the account | 28 days, or start again | GOV.UK |
| Jobcentre interview | Submitting the claim | Within 10 working days | GOV.UK |
| Accept claimant commitment | Your meeting | Before the first payment. No fixed days on GOV.UK, follow your to-do list | GOV.UK |
| First payment | Day you claim | About 5 weeks | GOV.UK |
| Migration Notice | Date of the letter | Deadline in the letter. nidirect says 3 months (Northern Ireland) | GOV.UK, nidirect |
| More time on a Migration Notice | Your deadline | Ask before it, with a good reason | GOV.UK |
| Backdating | Day you claim | Up to 1 month, only in some cases | GOV.UK |
What letter should I send? (Ready-made letter)
You may need to ask for backdating, ask for more time on a Migration Notice, or explain a missed appointment. UK Help Agent explains Universal Credit letters and writes the reply in English from your voice message or a photo of the letter.
Record what happened, or send a photo of the letter. The explanation is free. A ready letter is £4.
What if the deadline has passed?
Missed the 28 days? Start a new claim now. You can ask for up to one month of backdating if something stopped you claiming, for example a disability, illness, the online service not working, or a benefit stopping without notice. You may need evidence.
Missed a Migration Notice deadline? GOV.UK says old benefits end 2 weeks after it. You can still claim, but without transitional protection. Claim as soon as possible.
If you disagree with a decision, ask for a mandatory reconsideration, usually within one month.
Where can I get free help?
- Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644 (Welsh 0800 328 1744, Relay UK 18001 then 0800 328 5644), Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, free.
- Migration Notice helpline: 0800 169 0328, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
- Citizens Advice Help to Claim: England 0800 144 8 444, Wales 08000 241 220, Scotland 0800 023 2581, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. They check if you can claim, help with the form, prepare you for the jobcentre and check your first payment. You can ask for an interpreter.
DWP will never ask for bank details in the journal, by phone, text or email.
Is it the same in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
England and Wales: the same rules. Wales has a Welsh language helpline and its own Help to Claim number.
Scotland: the claim is the same, but there are "Scottish choices": you can be paid twice a month, and your housing costs can go straight to your landlord. New claimants are offered them after the first payment.
Northern Ireland: Universal Credit is run separately. You still claim online within 28 days of creating an account, and the first payment comes about five weeks later. For help, contact your Jobs & Benefits office, the Universal Credit Service Centre (details on nidirect) or Advice NI. We did not confirm payment choices in Northern Ireland, so check nidirect.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Universal Credit take to pay?
The first payment usually comes about 5 weeks after you claim. If you need money before that, you can ask for an advance, which you pay back from later payments.
How long do I have to finish my online claim?
You must submit your claim within 28 days of creating your account, or you have to start again.
Can I claim Universal Credit with pre-settled status?
Possibly. With pre-settled status you also need a right to reside, for example as a worker or self-employed person. Being only a jobseeker is not enough for Universal Credit.
Can I claim on my own if I live with a partner?
No. Couples who live together must claim jointly. You both create an account and link them with a code.
Can Universal Credit be backdated?
Only in some cases, and by up to one month, if something stopped you claiming earlier, for example illness or the online service not working.
Is there free help with the claim?
Yes. Citizens Advice Help to Claim is free: 0800 144 8 444 in England, 08000 241 220 in Wales, 0800 023 2581 in Scotland.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Universal Credit, how to claim
- GOV.UK: How to claim Universal Credit, step by step
- GOV.UK: Universal Credit eligibility
- GOV.UK: How you're paid
- GOV.UK: Your claimant commitment
- GOV.UK: Contact Universal Credit
- GOV.UK: How to verify your identity for Universal Credit
- GOV.UK: Advance on your first payment
- GOV.UK: Move to Universal Credit if you get a Migration Notice letter
- GOV.UK: Get help with your Universal Credit claim
- Citizens Advice: Help to Claim
- Citizens Advice: Check if you have the right to reside for benefits
- gov.scot: Universal Credit choices in Scotland
- nidirect: How you make a claim to Universal Credit
Checked on: 2026-10-21
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change. For your own case, check the sources above or ask a free adviser, for example Citizens Advice.