How to Claim Universal Credit When You Are on a Low Income or Out of Work

Check whether you are eligible for Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a benefit for people who need help with living costs. You may be eligible if you are out of work, on a low income, working part-time or self-employed, or unable to work because of a health condition.

For a standard claim, GOV.UK says you must normally live in the UK, be aged 18 or over, be under State Pension age and have no more than £16,000 in money, savings and investments.

There are exceptions for some people aged 16 or 17, including certain people with a health condition, people responsible for a child, some pregnant people, carers and people without parental support. Full-time students can normally claim only in specified circumstances.

How much savings can you have?

If you have £6,000 or less in relevant money, savings and investments, your capital does not normally reduce your Universal Credit award.

If you have more than £6,000 but no more than £16,000, your monthly Universal Credit is reduced. The current rule deducts £4.35 for every £250, or part of £250, between £6,000 and £16,000.

If you normally have more than £16,000 in relevant capital, you usually cannot claim Universal Credit. Different capital rules can apply to some people who moved from tax credits after receiving a Migration Notice.

You must make a joint claim if you live with a partner

If you live with a partner, both of you must claim Universal Credit as a couple. Each person creates an account and the accounts are linked using a partner code.

You cannot normally choose to make a single-person claim simply because one partner has no income or is not individually eligible. Your household award is assessed using both partners' circumstances, including relevant income and savings.

Each partner also has their own claimant commitment where one is required.

What you need before starting the claim

For an online application you need an email address, access to a phone and details of the bank, building society or credit union account where you want the payment sent.

You also need information about:

• your housing and how much rent or eligible housing costs you pay;
• your earnings, including payslips where applicable;
• your National Insurance number, if you have one;
• other benefits you receive;
• any disability or health condition affecting your work;
• eligible childcare costs if you want help with childcare;
• your money, savings and investments, including shares and relevant property.

You must also prove your identity. GOV.UK gives examples including a passport, driving licence, debit or credit card, payslip or P60. The exact identity process depends on the evidence available to you.

Create your account and submit the claim online

The normal route is the official Universal Credit online service. After creating an account, you must submit the claim within 28 days or you will have to start again.

Your Universal Credit claim starts on the date you submit it in your account, not the date you first create the account.

If you previously had a Universal Credit account, GOV.UK directs you to sign in and start a new claim through that account.

You can get help if you cannot use the online service

If you cannot make the claim online, GOV.UK says you can claim by phone through the Universal Credit helpline. You can also get help at a Jobcentre or through the official Help to Claim support arrangements.

If you do not have a bank account, contact Universal Credit or a Jobcentre for advice about another way to receive payment rather than abandoning the claim.

Complete the identity check

You will be asked to verify your identity as part of the claim. If the online identity process is not sufficient, or Universal Credit needs more information, an appointment may be arranged by phone or at a Jobcentre.

Do not send sensitive financial information through an unexpected message. GOV.UK states that Universal Credit will not ask you to share personal information such as bank details through your journal, by text, email or an unsolicited phone request.

Agree your claimant commitment before payment

Most claimants need to accept a claimant commitment. It records what you agree to do to prepare for work, look for work or increase your earnings, depending on your circumstances.

You will normally have a meeting to discuss the commitment. GOV.UK says you must accept it in your online account or your claim can be stopped.

Your requirements are individual. They can be affected by factors such as a disability or health condition, caring responsibilities, the age of your children and how much you earn.

If a medical professional has said you are nearing the end of life, GOV.UK states that you do not need a claimant commitment.

What happens after you submit the application

After you claim, you may need an interview with Jobcentre Plus. Current GOV.UK guidance states that this will be arranged within 10 working days where the claim process requires it.

You will also be assigned a case manager to help manage the claim and, if your claimant commitment requires work-related activity, a work coach.

Check your online journal and to-do list regularly. Universal Credit uses the account to request evidence, send messages and tell you what action you need to take.

Universal Credit standard allowance rates for 2026 to 2027

Your award starts with one monthly standard allowance for your household and can then include additional amounts or deductions depending on your circumstances.

The published 2026 to 2027 monthly standard allowances are:

• £338.58 if you are single and under 25;
• £424.90 if you are single and aged 25 or over;
• £528.34 for a couple where both partners are under 25;
• £666.97 for a couple where either partner is aged 25 or over.

These are standard allowances, not guaranteed final payments. Your award can include eligible amounts for children, disability or health conditions, caring, childcare and housing costs, and can also be reduced by earnings, capital, other benefits, advances or other deductions.

Include your housing costs in the claim

Universal Credit can include an additional amount towards eligible housing costs. This can include rent to a private landlord and eligible rent or service charges for social housing.

Provide accurate housing information when you claim. If you rent, your housing costs may need to be verified. The amount Universal Credit contributes towards private rent can also be limited by the applicable Local Housing Allowance and your circumstances.

Most claimants outside Northern Ireland normally receive the housing amount as part of their Universal Credit payment and are responsible for paying the landlord. Different direct-payment arrangements apply in Northern Ireland, while eligible claimants in Scotland can choose to have their housing element paid directly to their landlord.

You can claim Universal Credit while working

You do not have to be unemployed to qualify. Universal Credit can be paid to people in employment, part-time work or self-employment when their income and circumstances qualify.

Your Universal Credit is reassessed for each monthly assessment period. Earnings can reduce the amount you receive. Some claimants with a child or limited capability for work qualify for a work allowance before earnings begin reducing their Universal Credit.

If you have recently lost work, you may also want to check whether you qualify for New Style Jobseeker's Allowance after losing work. GOV.UK confirms that New Style JSA can be paid alongside Universal Credit, although it is taken into account when calculating the Universal Credit award.

Report health conditions and disability accurately

If a health condition or disability affects your ability to work, report it when you claim. You may be asked for medical evidence and could need a Work Capability Assessment.

Depending on the assessment and the applicable rules, you may receive an additional Universal Credit amount and have reduced or no work-related requirements.

Universal Credit does not replace Personal Independence Payment. If your disability or health condition affects daily living or mobility, see how to claim Personal Independence Payment. GOV.UK confirms that existing PIP can continue alongside Universal Credit.

Claiming help with childcare costs

If you are working and meet the conditions, Universal Credit can reimburse up to 85% of eligible registered childcare costs.

For 2026 to 2027, the published maximum monthly childcare amounts are £1,071.09 for one child and £1,836.16 for 2 or more children.

You normally pay the childcare provider first and then report the cost, although support may be available if you need help paying eligible childcare costs upfront.

Expect your first payment about 5 weeks after claiming

Universal Credit is calculated over a monthly assessment period. GOV.UK states that your first payment normally arrives about 5 weeks after you claim.

For the standard Great Britain payment arrangement, you are normally paid once a month, 7 days after each assessment period ends. Your payment statement in your online account shows the amount and any deductions.

People living in Scotland can choose to receive Universal Credit twice a month. Northern Ireland has separate payment arrangements and normally pays Universal Credit twice monthly.

If you need money during the 5-week wait

If you cannot meet bills or essential costs before the first payment, you can apply for a Universal Credit advance.

The maximum advance can be up to your estimated first Universal Credit payment. You may be asked why you need the advance, to verify your identity, provide bank details and explain your money and savings.

GOV.UK states that you will usually find out the same day whether you can get a first-payment advance.

This is not an extra benefit payment. It must normally be repaid within 24 months, with repayments usually beginning from your first Universal Credit payment.

Can Universal Credit be backdated?

Your claim normally starts on the date you submit it. However, GOV.UK allows a claim to be backdated by up to one month in specified circumstances where the delay was not your fault.

Examples include certain disabilities or health problems that prevented you claiming, failure of the online service where you claimed as soon as it was restored, not being told another benefit would end, or a failed joint claim where the partner did not complete their part and you are now claiming as a single person.

You can request backdating through your online account, the Universal Credit helpline or your work coach. Evidence may be required.

Check existing benefits before submitting the claim

If you already receive benefits, check the consequences before making a voluntary Universal Credit claim. GOV.UK warns that some benefits being replaced by Universal Credit will stop when you or your partner claim, and you may not be able to claim those benefits again even if the Universal Credit application is unsuccessful.

If you have received a Migration Notice, follow the deadline on that notice to preserve the financial support and any transitional protection for which you qualify.

If both you and your partner are at or above State Pension age, Universal Credit is generally not the correct new claim. You may instead need to check whether you can claim Pension Credit.

Payment arrangements differ across the UK

Universal Credit is a UK-wide benefit, but some payment arrangements differ.

In Scotland, eligible claimants can choose monthly or twice-monthly payments and can choose to have the housing element paid directly to their landlord.

In Northern Ireland, the Department for Communities administers Universal Credit locally. Claims are made through the secure Universal Credit online account, but payments are normally made twice a month, and eligible housing-cost amounts are normally paid directly to the landlord. Northern Ireland also has its own support and service-centre arrangements.

Keep your online claim up to date

Universal Credit is recalculated based on your circumstances during each assessment period. Report changes promptly through your online account so you receive the correct amount.

Relevant changes can include starting or leaving work, changes in earnings, moving home, changes in rent, a partner joining or leaving the household, having a child, changes to childcare costs, health changes or changes in your money, savings and investments.

Avoid problems that can delay or reduce your payment

• Do not create an account and forget to submit the claim: you have 28 days before you must start again.
• Do not make a single claim if you live with a partner and the rules require a joint claim.
• Declare savings, investments, relevant property and other capital accurately.
• Provide accurate rent, landlord and housing-cost information so housing support can be assessed correctly.
• Check your online journal and to-do list regularly after submitting the claim.
• Attend required appointments or contact Universal Credit immediately if you cannot attend.
• Accept your claimant commitment when required and tell your work coach if your circumstances make an agreed requirement impossible.
• Check what will happen to any existing benefits before making a voluntary claim.
• Remember that a Universal Credit advance is repayable and reduces later payments.