<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="govuk-template" lang="en">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("http://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit","20230316023135","http://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1678933895"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta property="og:description" content="Universal Credit is replacing 6 other benefits with a single monthly payment if you're out of work or on a low income - eligibility, how to prepare."> <meta property="og:title" content="Universal Credit"> <meta property="og:url" content="http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit"> <meta property="og:type" content="article"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="GOV.UK"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"> <meta name="description" content="Universal Credit is replacing 6 other benefits with a single monthly payment if you're out of work or on a low income - eligibility, how to prepare."> <meta name="govuk:taxon-slugs" content="entitlement,families,disability,child-benefit,heating,jobseekers-allowance,tax-credits,universal-credit"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-slug" content="entitlement"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-ids" content="536f83c0-8c67-47a3-88a4-d5b1eda591ed,29dbee2a-5865-489b-860f-7eef54a5165a,05a9527b-e6e9-4a68-8dd7-7d84e6a24eef,7a1ba896-b85a-4137-81d9-ab05b7ce67dd,6c4c443c-2e11-4d25-aa93-2e3a38d9499c,2a1bd1b1-5025-4313-9e5b-8352dd46f1d6,a7f3005b-a3cd-4060-a127-725accb54f2e,62fcbba5-3a75-4d15-85a6-d8a80b03d57c"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-id" content="536f83c0-8c67-47a3-88a4-d5b1eda591ed"> <meta name="govuk:themes" content="welfare"> <meta name="govuk:analytics:organisations" content="<D10>"> <meta name="govuk:primary-publishing-organisation" content="Government Digital Service"> <meta name="govuk:public-updated-at" content="2014-11-26T00:01:00.000+00:00"> <meta name="govuk:updated-at" content="2023-02-21T14:51:10.496Z"> <meta name="govuk:first-published-at" content="2012-10-12T14:02:17.000+00:00"> <meta name="govuk:content-id" content="f790dc71-386e-4440-9689-31f94e7ac64d"> <meta name="govuk:schema-name" content="guide"> <meta name="govuk:rendering-app" content="government-frontend"> <meta name="govuk:publishing-app" content="publisher"> <meta name="govuk:format" content="guide"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <title lang="en"> Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is - GOV.UK </title> <script src="/web/20230316023135js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/vendor/lux/lux-measurer-505eef3e243b1d08ea7c4b945ebe1ae146d896db61366e415b30cc1bcd84cbdc.js" async="async"></script> <script src="/web/20230316023135js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/rum-loader-c53469dcb841d7b228c914a2e8bdcf3b831a578adf7d4f21cf9da5b85df7381e.js" async="async" data-lux-reporter-script="/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/vendor/lux/lux-reporter-be0039fdd1e43d48c5c981634351f34f50993d255262daf23812d717cfe117ce.js"></script> <meta name="govuk:components_gem_version" content="34.14.0"> <script src="/web/20230316023135js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/load-analytics-baa00fa03fb259a58f248e3ce4f94541a696a3081768f7400952fa6344446ae9.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230316023135cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/application-6c682d78f730e9d6d583385acaa1e2d3d2fe18d464ee410459f02bf254adba0f.css" media="all">  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/web/20230316023135im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/favicon-9ed7849c462c53aa2cdf1690eb257e801ecbf5696d1d0928868c5b032b4adb36.ico" type="image/x-icon"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/web/20230316023135im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-mask-icon-a409a4db4a5e72c99ae3916653710064c43eb4be35821f79c07c5156e7dc5808.svg" color="#0b0c0c"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/web/20230316023135im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-180x180-026deaa34fa328ae5f1f519a37dbd15e6555c5086e1ba83986cd0827a7209902.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="167x167" href="/web/20230316023135im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-167x167-a44a5b317f51a61950697fbe6c61ffe3b5acdd89de60ef70429daa32881d5279.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/web/20230316023135im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-152x152-828a839e5c83de19f98014eef54cec77aa11063a23ce321970d6f9310eeabb6c.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20230316023135im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-5f801db05920bd1eb2b27a7a90328599bb16b6344c3213795af0f20d3ca179b0.png"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#0b0c0c"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta property="og:image" content="/web/20230316023135im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-opengraph-image-dade2dad5775023b0568381c4c074b86318194edb36d3d68df721eea7deeac4b.png"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230316023135cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/application-36c3129e326ed60f46699aebe405adf56ef6fbffe8b6c6f89d7e0bf2776f8258.css" media="all"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20230316023135cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/print-1cb9ea3f196206dc6639481a61e767fa723f13710f8ab34c9a7b920f5ea21a19.css" media="print"> <link rel="canonical" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit"> <meta name="govuk:rendering-application" content="government-frontend"> </head> <body class="gem-c-layout-for-public govuk-template__body"> <script nonce="DHEqpgArVn1GYBTkF/URvw=="> //<![CDATA[ document.body.className = ((document.body.className) ? document.body.className + ' js-enabled' : 'js-enabled'); //]]> </script> <a class="gem-c-skip-link govuk-skip-link govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="govuk-skip-link" href="#content">Skip to main content</a> <div id="global-cookie-message" class="gem-c-cookie-banner govuk-clearfix" data-module="cookie-banner" data-nosnippet role="region" aria-label="Cookies on GOV.UK"> <div class="govuk-cookie-banner js-banner-wrapper"> <div class="gem-c-cookie-banner__message govuk-cookie-banner__message govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <h2 class="govuk-cookie-banner__heading govuk-heading-m">Cookies on GOV.UK</h2> <div class="govuk-cookie-banner__content"> <p class="govuk-body">We use some essential cookies to make this website work.</p> <p class="govuk-body">We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.</p> <p class="govuk-body">We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-button-group"> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-module="gem-track-click" data-accept-cookies="true" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner accepted" data-cookie-types="all">Accept additional cookies</button> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-module="gem-track-click" data-reject-cookies="true" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner rejected">Reject additional cookies</button> <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">View cookies</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation govuk-width-container" tabindex="-1" hidden> <p class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message" role="alert"> <span class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message__accepted" hidden>You have accepted additional cookies. </span> <span class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message__rejected" hidden>You have rejected additional cookies. </span> You can <a class="govuk-link" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner settings clicked from confirmation" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">change your cookie settings</a> at any time. </p> <div class="govuk-button-group"> <button class="gem-c-cookie-banner__hide-button govuk-button" data-hide-cookie-banner="true" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Hide cookie banner">Hide this message</button> </div> </div> </div> <header role="banner" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header" data-module="gem-track-click ga4-event-tracker ga4-link-tracker" data-track-links-only data-ga4-expandable> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__container govuk-clearfix"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__header-logo"> <a class="govuk-header__link govuk-header__link--homepage" data-track-action="logoLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="https://www.gov.uk" data-track-dimension="GOV.UK" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/" id="logo" title="Go to the GOV.UK homepage" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","external":"false","text":"GOV.UK","section":"Logo","index":0,"index_total":29}"> <span class="govuk-header__logotype">  <svg aria-hidden="true" class="govuk-header__logotype-crown gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__logotype-crown" focusable="false" height="30" viewbox="0 0 132 97" width="36" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M25 30.2c3.5 1.5 7.7-.2 9.1-3.7 1.5-3.6-.2-7.8-3.9-9.2-3.6-1.4-7.6.3-9.1 3.9-1.4 3.5.3 7.5 3.9 9zM9 39.5c3.6 1.5 7.8-.2 9.2-3.7 1.5-3.6-.2-7.8-3.9-9.1-3.6-1.5-7.6.2-9.1 3.8-1.4 3.5.3 7.5 3.8 9zM4.4 57.2c3.5 1.5 7.7-.2 9.1-3.8 1.5-3.6-.2-7.7-3.9-9.1-3.5-1.5-7.6.3-9.1 3.8-1.4 3.5.3 7.6 3.9 9.1zm38.3-21.4c3.5 1.5 7.7-.2 9.1-3.8 1.5-3.6-.2-7.7-3.9-9.1-3.6-1.5-7.6.3-9.1 3.8-1.3 3.6.4 7.7 3.9 9.1zm64.4-5.6c-3.6 1.5-7.8-.2-9.1-3.7-1.5-3.6.2-7.8 3.8-9.2 3.6-1.4 7.7.3 9.2 3.9 1.3 3.5-.4 7.5-3.9 9zm15.9 9.3c-3.6 1.5-7.7-.2-9.1-3.7-1.5-3.6.2-7.8 3.7-9.1 3.6-1.5 7.7.2 9.2 3.8 1.5 3.5-.3 7.5-3.8 9zm4.7 17.7c-3.6 1.5-7.8-.2-9.2-3.8-1.5-3.6.2-7.7 3.9-9.1 3.6-1.5 7.7.3 9.2 3.8 1.3 3.5-.4 7.6-3.9 9.1zM89.3 35.8c-3.6 1.5-7.8-.2-9.2-3.8-1.4-3.6.2-7.7 3.9-9.1 3.6-1.5 7.7.3 9.2 3.8 1.4 3.6-.3 7.7-3.9 9.1zM69.7 17.7l8.9 4.7V9.3l-8.9 2.8c-.2-.3-.5-.6-.9-.9L72.4 0H59.6l3.5 11.2c-.3.3-.6.5-.9.9l-8.8-2.8v13.1l8.8-4.7c.3.3.6.7.9.9l-5 15.4v.1c-.2.8-.4 1.6-.4 2.4 0 4.1 3.1 7.5 7 8.1h.2c.3 0 .7.1 1 .1.4 0 .7 0 1-.1h.2c4-.6 7.1-4.1 7.1-8.1 0-.8-.1-1.7-.4-2.4V34l-5.1-15.4c.4-.2.7-.6 1-.9zM66 92.8c16.9 0 32.8 1.1 47.1 3.2 4-16.9 8.9-26.7 14-33.5l-9.6-3.4c1 4.9 1.1 7.2 0 10.2-1.5-1.4-3-4.3-4.2-8.7L108.6 76c2.8-2 5-3.2 7.5-3.3-4.4 9.4-10 11.9-13.6 11.2-4.3-.8-6.3-4.6-5.6-7.9 1-4.7 5.7-5.9 8-.5 4.3-8.7-3-11.4-7.6-8.8 7.1-7.2 7.9-13.5 2.1-21.1-8 6.1-8.1 12.3-4.5 20.8-4.7-5.4-12.1-2.5-9.5 6.2 3.4-5.2 7.9-2 7.2 3.1-.6 4.3-6.4 7.8-13.5 7.2-10.3-.9-10.9-8-11.2-13.8 2.5-.5 7.1 1.8 11 7.3L80.2 60c-4.1 4.4-8 5.3-12.3 5.4 1.4-4.4 8-11.6 8-11.6H55.5s6.4 7.2 7.9 11.6c-4.2-.1-8-1-12.3-5.4l1.4 16.4c3.9-5.5 8.5-7.7 10.9-7.3-.3 5.8-.9 12.8-11.1 13.8-7.2.6-12.9-2.9-13.5-7.2-.7-5 3.8-8.3 7.1-3.1 2.7-8.7-4.6-11.6-9.4-6.2 3.7-8.5 3.6-14.7-4.6-20.8-5.8 7.6-5 13.9 2.2 21.1-4.7-2.6-11.9.1-7.7 8.8 2.3-5.5 7.1-4.2 8.1.5.7 3.3-1.3 7.1-5.7 7.9-3.5.7-9-1.8-13.5-11.2 2.5.1 4.7 1.3 7.5 3.3l-4.7-15.4c-1.2 4.4-2.7 7.2-4.3 8.7-1.1-3-.9-5.3 0-10.2l-9.5 3.4c5 6.9 9.9 16.7 14 33.5 14.8-2.1 30.8-3.2 47.7-3.2z" fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd"> </path> </svg>   <span class="govuk-header__logotype-text"> GOV.UK </span> </span> </a> </div> </div> <nav aria-labelledby="super-navigation-menu-heading" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__content" data-module="super-navigation-mega-menu"> <h2 id="super-navigation-menu-heading" class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Navigation menu </h2> <div class="govuk-width-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__button-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__button-container"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item"> <a class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item-link" data-track-action="menuLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse" data-track-dimension="Menu" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse"> <span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item-link-inner"> Menu </span> </a> <button aria-controls="super-navigation-menu-a381c58d" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Show navigation menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-button" data-text-for-hide="Hide navigation menu" data-text-for-show="Show navigation menu" data-toggle-desktop-group="top" data-toggle-mobile-group="top" data-tracking-key="menu" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"select_content","type":"header menu bar","text":"Menu","index":1,"index_total":2,"section":"Menu"}" hidden="hidden" id="super-navigation-menu-a381c58d-toggle" type="button"> <span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-button-inner">Menu</span> </button> </div> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item"> <button aria-controls="super-search-menu" aria-expanded="true" aria-label="Hide search menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-toggle-button" data-text-for-hide="Hide search menu" data-text-for-show="Show search menu" data-toggle-mobile-group="top" data-toggle-desktop-group="top" data-tracking-key="search" hidden id="super-search-menu-toggle" type="button" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"select_content","type":"header menu bar","text":"Search","index":2,"index_total":2,"section":"Search"}"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search GOV.UK </span> <svg class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-toggle-button-link-icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> <span aria-hidden="true" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-close-icon" focusable="false"> × </span> </button> <a class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item-link" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search GOV.UK </span> <svg class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item-link-icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="super-navigation-menu-a381c58d" hidden class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-dropdown-menu"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-items"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds-from-desktop gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column--topics"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column-header"> Topics </h3> <ul class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items--topics"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/benefits" data-track-dimension="Benefits" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.1","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/births-deaths-marriages" data-track-dimension="Births, death, marriages and care" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.2","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages">Births, death, marriages and care</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/business" data-track-dimension="Business and self-employed" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.3","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/business">Business and self-employed</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/childcare-parenting" data-track-dimension="Childcare and parenting" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.4","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting">Childcare and parenting</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/citizenship" data-track-dimension="Citizenship and living in the UK" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.5","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship">Citizenship and living in the UK</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/cost-of-living" data-track-dimension="Cost of living support" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.6","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living">Cost of living support</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/justice" data-track-dimension="Crime, justice and the law" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.7","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice">Crime, justice and the law</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/disabilities" data-track-dimension="Disabled people" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.8","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities">Disabled people</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/driving" data-track-dimension="Driving and transport" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.9","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving">Driving and transport</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/education" data-track-dimension="Education and learning" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.10","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/education">Education and learning</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/employing-people" data-track-dimension="Employing people" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.11","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people">Employing people</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/environment-countryside" data-track-dimension="Environment and countryside" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.12","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside">Environment and countryside</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/housing-local-services" data-track-dimension="Housing and local services" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.13","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services">Housing and local services</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/tax" data-track-dimension="Money and tax" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.14","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax">Money and tax</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/abroad" data-track-dimension="Passports, travel and living abroad" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.15","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad">Passports, travel and living abroad</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/visas-immigration" data-track-dimension="Visas and immigration" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.16","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration">Visas and immigration</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/working" data-track-dimension="Working, jobs and pensions" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.1.17","index_total":29,"section":"Topics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/working">Working, jobs and pensions</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third-from-desktop gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column--government-activity"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column-header"> Government activity </h3> <ul class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items--government-activity"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/government/organisations" data-track-dimension="Departments" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.2.1","index_total":29,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations">Departments</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Departments, agencies and public bodies</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/news-and-communications" data-track-dimension="News" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.2.2","index_total":29,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications">News</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">News stories, speeches, letters and notices</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/guidance-and-regulation" data-track-dimension="Guidance and regulation" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.2.3","index_total":29,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/guidance-and-regulation">Guidance and regulation</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Detailed guidance, regulations and rules</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/research-and-statistics" data-track-dimension="Research and statistics" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.2.4","index_total":29,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics">Research and statistics</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Reports, analysis and official statistics</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/policy-papers-and-consultations" data-track-dimension="Policy papers and consultations" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.2.5","index_total":29,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations">Policy papers and consultations</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Consultations and strategy</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases" data-track-dimension="Transparency" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"1.2.6","index_total":29,"section":"Government activity"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases">Transparency</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="super-search-menu" hidden class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-dropdown-menu"> <div class="govuk-width-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-items"> <h3 class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search </h3> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-full"> <form class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-form" id="search" data-module="ga4-form-tracker" data-ga4-form="{ "event_name": "search", "type": "header menu bar", "section": "Search GOV.UK", "action": "Search", "url": "/search/all" }" data-ga4-form-include-text action="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search" method="get" role="search" aria-label="Site-wide"> <div class="gem-c-search govuk-!-display-none-print gem-c-search--large gem-c-search--on-white gem-c-search--separate-label" data-module="gem-toggle-input-class-on-focus"> <label for="search-main-2f5aac2c" class="govuk-label govuk-label--m">Search GOV.UK</label> <div class="gem-c-search__item-wrapper"> <input enterkeyhint="search" class="gem-c-search__item gem-c-search__input js-class-toggle" id="search-main-2f5aac2c" name="q" title="Search" type="search" value=""> <div class="gem-c-search__item gem-c-search__submit-wrapper"> <button class="gem-c-search__submit" type="submit" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-action="searchSubmitted" data-track-label="/search/all" data-track-dimension="Search on GOV.UK" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-module="gem-track-click" enterkeyhint="search"> Search <svg class="gem-c-search__icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> </button> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-full"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m">Popular on GOV.UK</h3> <ul class="govuk-list"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/check-benefits-financial-support" data-track-dimension="Check benefits and financial support you can get" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"2.2.1","index_total":29,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support">Check benefits and financial support you can get</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/guidance/getting-the-energy-bills-support-scheme-discount" data-track-dimension="Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"2.2.2","index_total":29,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-the-energy-bills-support-scheme-discount">Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/find-a-job" data-track-dimension="Find a job" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"2.2.3","index_total":29,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/find-a-job">Find a job</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/coronavirus" data-track-dimension="Coronavirus (COVID-19)" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"2.2.4","index_total":29,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus">Coronavirus (COVID-19)</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/sign-in-universal-credit" data-track-dimension="Universal Credit account: sign in" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index":"2.2.5","index_total":29,"section":"Popular on GOV.UK"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit">Universal Credit account: sign in</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </header> <div class="gem-c-layout-for-public__blue-bar govuk-width-container"></div> <div id="wrapper" class="direction-ltr govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-breadcrumbs"> <div data-module="gem-track-click ga4-link-tracker" class="gem-c-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs--collapse-on-mobile"> <ol class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list"> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-track-category="homeLinkClicked" data-track-action="homeBreadcrumb" data-track-label="" data-track-options="{}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumbs","index":{"index_link":"1"},"index_total":"3"}" class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/">Home</a> </li> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-track-category="breadcrumbClicked" data-track-action="2" data-track-label="/browse/benefits" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"3","dimension29":"Benefits"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumbs","index":{"index_link":"2"},"index_total":"3"}" class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-track-category="breadcrumbClicked" data-track-action="3" data-track-label="/browse/benefits/low-income" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"3","dimension29":"Benefits and financial support if you're on a low income"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumbs","index":{"index_link":"3"},"index_total":"3"}" class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/low-income">Benefits and financial support if you're on a low income</a> </li> </ol> </div> </div> <section class="gem-c-intervention" role="region" aria-label="Intervention"> <p class="govuk-body"> <span class="gem-c-intervention__textwrapper">Help make GOV.UK better</span> <a class="govuk-link" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://s.userzoom.com/m/MSBDMTQ3MVM0NCAg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer external">Take part in user research (opens in a new tab)</a> </p> </section> <main role="main" id="content" class="guide" lang="en"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-title govuk-!-margin-top-8 govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"> <h1 class="gem-c-title__text govuk-heading-xl"> Universal Credit </h1> </div> <a class="gem-c-skip-link govuk-skip-link govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="govuk-skip-link" href="#guide-contents">Skip to contents of guide</a> <aside class="part-navigation-container" role="complementary"> <nav data-module="gem-track-click" aria-label="Pages in this guide" class="gem-c-contents-list" role="navigation"> <h2 class="gem-c-contents-list__title"> Contents </h2> <ol class="gem-c-contents-list__list"> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed gem-c-contents-list__list-item--active" aria-current="true"> What Universal Credit is </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 2" data-track-label="/universal-credit/eligibility" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Eligibility"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility">Eligibility</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 3" data-track-label="/universal-credit/what-youll-get" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"What you'll get"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get">What you'll get</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 4" data-track-label="/universal-credit/how-your-earnings-affect-your-payments" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"How your earnings affect your payments"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-your-earnings-affect-your-payments">How your earnings affect your payments</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 5" data-track-label="/universal-credit/how-youre-paid" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"How you're paid"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-youre-paid">How you're paid</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 6" data-track-label="/universal-credit/how-to-claim" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"How to claim"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim">How to claim</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 7" data-track-label="/universal-credit/get-an-advance-first-payment" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Get an advance on your first payment"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/get-an-advance-first-payment">Get an advance on your first payment</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 8" data-track-label="/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Your claimant commitment"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment">Your claimant commitment</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 9" data-track-label="/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Report a change of circumstances"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances">Report a change of circumstances</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 10" data-track-label="/universal-credit/other-financial-support" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Other financial support"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/other-financial-support">Other financial support</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 11" data-track-label="/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Contact Universal Credit"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit">Contact Universal Credit</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </aside> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds" id="guide-contents"> <h1 class="part-title"> What Universal Credit is </h1> <div class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak direction-ltr disable-youtube" data-module="govspeak"> <p>Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or <a href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-youre-paid">twice a month for some people in Scotland</a>.</p> <p>You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.</p> <div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice"> <p>This guide is also available <a href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/credyd-cynhwysol">in Welsh (Cymraeg)</a>.</p> </div> <p>If you live in Northern Ireland, go to <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/universal-credit">Universal Credit in Northern Ireland</a>.</p> <h2 id="sign-in">Sign in</h2> <p><a href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit">Sign in to your Universal Credit account</a> if you already have one.</p> <h2 id="if-you-already-get-other-benefits">If you already get other benefits</h2> <p>Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits and tax credits:</p> <ul> <li>Child Tax Credit</li> <li>Housing Benefit</li> <li>Income Support</li> <li>income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)</li> <li>income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)</li> <li>Working Tax Credit</li> </ul> <p>If you’re getting any of these benefits or tax credits, you do not need to do anything unless:</p> <ul> <li> <p>you have a <a href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances">change of circumstances</a> you need to report</p> </li> <li> <p>you get a <a href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-credits-and-some-benefits-are-ending-claim-universal-credit">letter called a ‘Migration Notice’</a> telling you that you must start to claim Universal Credit</p> </li> </ul> <p>You’ll stop getting these benefits and tax credits when you or your partner claims Universal Credit. If you or your partner gets Pension Credit, this will also stop if one of you claims Universal Credit.</p> <p>This will not affect any other benefits you’re getting, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance.</p> <p>You can read more about <a href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/how-tax-credits-affect-other-benefits">how tax credits and Universal Credit affect each other</a>.</p> </div> <nav class="govuk-pagination govuk-pagination--block" role="navigation" aria-label="Pagination"> <div class="govuk-pagination__next"> <a class="govuk-link govuk-pagination__link" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility" rel="next" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="next" data-track-label="/universal-credit/eligibility" data-track-dimension="next" data-track-dimension-index="29"> <svg class="govuk-pagination__icon govuk-pagination__icon--next" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="13" width="15" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" viewbox="0 0 15 13"> <path d="m8.107-0.0078125-1.4136 1.414 4.2926 4.293h-12.986v2h12.896l-4.1855 3.9766 1.377 1.4492 6.7441-6.4062-6.7246-6.7266z"></path> </svg> <span class="govuk-pagination__link-title">Next</span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">:</span> <span class="govuk-pagination__link-label">Eligibility</span> </a> </div> </nav> <div class="responsive-bottom-margin"> <a href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/print" class="govuk-link govuk-link--no-visited-state govuk-body">View a printable version of the whole guide</a> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-sidebar"> <div class="gem-c-related-navigation" data-module="gem-track-click ga4-link-tracker"> <h2 id="related-nav-related_items-b838eee0" class="gem-c-related-navigation__main-heading" data-track-count="sidebarRelatedItemSection"> Related content </h2> <nav role="navigation" class="gem-c-related-navigation__nav-section" aria-labelledby="related-nav-related_items-b838eee0" data-module="gem-toggle"> <ul class="gem-c-related-navigation__link-list"> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.1 Related content" data-track-label="/sign-in-universal-credit" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"Sign in to your Universal Credit account"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.1","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit">Sign in to your Universal Credit account</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.2 Related content" data-track-label="/benefits-calculators" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"Benefits calculators"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.2","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators">Benefits calculators</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.3 Related content" data-track-label="/housing-benefit" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"Housing Benefit"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.3","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit">Housing Benefit</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.4 Related content" data-track-label="/self-employment-and-universal-credit" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"Self-employment and Universal Credit"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.4","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/self-employment-and-universal-credit">Self-employment and Universal Credit</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--inline govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.5 Related content" data-track-label="/sign-in" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"5","dimension29":"Sign in to a service"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.5","section":"Related content"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/sign-in">Sign in to a service</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-footer"> <div class="gem-c-related-navigation" data-module="gem-track-click ga4-link-tracker"> <nav role="navigation" class="gem-c-related-navigation__nav-section" aria-labelledby="related-nav-topics-610dbdbf" data-module="gem-toggle"> <h2 id="related-nav-topics-610dbdbf" class="gem-c-related-navigation__sub-heading gem-c-related-navigation__sub-heading--footer" data-track-count="footerRelatedItemSection">Explore the topic</h2> <ul class="gem-c-related-navigation__link-list"> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--footer" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.1 Explore the topic" data-track-label="/browse/benefits/help-for-carers" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"7","dimension29":"Benefits and financial support if you're caring for someone"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.1","section":"Explore the topic"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/help-for-carers">Benefits and financial support if you're caring for someone</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--footer" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.2 Explore the topic" data-track-label="/browse/benefits/looking-for-work" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"7","dimension29":"Benefits and financial support if you're looking for work"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.2","section":"Explore the topic"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/looking-for-work">Benefits and financial support if you're looking for work</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--footer" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.3 Explore the topic" data-track-label="/browse/benefits/low-income" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"7","dimension29":"Benefits and financial support if you're on a low income"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.3","section":"Explore the topic"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/low-income">Benefits and financial support if you're on a low income</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--footer" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.4 Explore the topic" data-track-label="/browse/benefits/unable-to-work" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"7","dimension29":"Benefits and financial support if you're temporarily unable to work"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.4","section":"Explore the topic"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/unable-to-work">Benefits and financial support if you're temporarily unable to work</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--footer govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--inline" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.5 Explore the topic" data-track-label="/browse/benefits/bereavement" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"7","dimension29":"Benefits and financial support when someone dies"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.5","section":"Explore the topic"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement">Benefits and financial support when someone dies</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link toggle-wrap" data-module="ga4-event-tracker"> <a class="gem-c-related-navigation__toggle" data-controls="toggle_topics" data-expanded="false" data-toggled-text="Show fewer" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"select_content","type":"related content"}" href="#"> Show 2 more </a> </li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link gem-c-related-navigation__link--truncated-links"> <span id="toggle_topics" class="gem-c-related-navigation__toggle-more js-hidden"> <a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--footer govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--inline" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.6 Explore the topic" data-track-label="/browse/disabilities/benefits" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"7","dimension29":"Benefits and financial help"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.6","section":"Explore the topic"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities/benefits">Benefits and financial help</a> and <a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--footer govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--inline" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.7 Explore the topic" data-track-label="/browse/working/finding-job" data-track-options="{"dimension28":"7","dimension29":"Finding a job"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index":"1.7","section":"Explore the topic"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/working/finding-job">Finding a job</a> </span> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-feedback govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="feedback ga4-event-tracker"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt gem-c-feedback__js-show js-prompt" tabindex="-1"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-content"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions js-prompt-questions" hidden> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-question-answer"> <h2 class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-question">Is this page useful?</h2> <ul class="gem-c-feedback__option-list"> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item govuk-visually-hidden" hidden> <a class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-link" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffMaybeClick" role="button" hidden="hidden" aria-hidden="true" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk"> Maybe </a> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-page-is-useful" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffYesClick" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Yes", "section": "Is this page useful?"}"> Yes <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is useful</span> </button> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-page-is-not-useful" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffNoClick" aria-controls="page-is-not-useful" aria-expanded="false" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"No", "section": "Is this page useful?"}"> No <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is not useful</span> </button> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-success js-prompt-success" role="alert" hidden> Thank you for your feedback </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions--something-is-wrong js-prompt-questions" hidden> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-something-is-wrong" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV-UK Open Form" aria-controls="something-is-wrong" aria-expanded="false" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Report a problem with this page", "section": "Is this page useful?"}"> Report a problem with this page </button> </div> </div> </div> <form action="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk/problem_reports" id="something-is-wrong" class="gem-c-feedback__form js-feedback-form" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV.UK Send Form" method="post" hidden> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__error-summary gem-c-feedback__js-show js-errors" tabindex="-1" hidden></div> <input type="hidden" name="url" value="https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit"> <h3 class="gem-c-feedback__form-heading">Help us improve GOV.UK</h3> <p id="feedback_explanation" class="gem-c-feedback__form-paragraph">Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.</p> <div class="govuk-visually-hidden" aria-hidden="true"> <label for="giraffe">This field is for robots only. Please leave blank</label> <input id="giraffe" name="giraffe" type="text" pattern=".{0}" tabindex="-1" autocomplete="off"> </div> <div class="gem-c-textarea govuk-form-group govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <label for="textarea-2c2914e4" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">What were you doing?</label> <textarea name="what_doing" class="govuk-textarea" id="textarea-2c2914e4" rows="3" spellcheck="true" aria-describedby="feedback_explanation"> </textarea> </div> <div class="gem-c-textarea govuk-form-group govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <label for="textarea-bffb27de" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">What went wrong?</label> <textarea name="what_wrong" class="govuk-textarea" id="textarea-bffb27de" rows="3" spellcheck="true"> </textarea> </div> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Send","section":"Help us improve GOV.UK"}">Send</button> <button class="govuk-button govuk-button--secondary gem-c-feedback__close gem-c-feedback__js-show js-close-form" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV.UK Close Form" aria-controls="something-is-wrong" aria-expanded="true"> Cancel </button> </div> </div> </form> <script nonce="DHEqpgArVn1GYBTkF/URvw=="> //<![CDATA[ document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () { var input = document.querySelector("#giraffe"), form = document.querySelector("#something-is-wrong") form.addEventListener("submit", spamCapture); function spamCapture(e) { if (input.value.length !== 0) return; e.preventDefault(); } }); //]]> </script> <form action="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk/email-survey-signup" id="page-is-not-useful" class="gem-c-feedback__form gem-c-feedback__form--email gem-c-feedback__js-show js-feedback-form" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="Send Form" method="post"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds" id="survey-wrapper"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__error-summary js-errors" tabindex="-1" hidden></div> <input name="email_survey_signup[survey_id]" type="hidden" value="footer_satisfaction_survey"> <input name="email_survey_signup[survey_source]" type="hidden" value="/universal-credit"> <h3 class="gem-c-feedback__form-heading">Help us improve GOV.UK</h3> <p id="survey_explanation" class="gem-c-feedback__form-paragraph">To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.</p> <div class="govuk-form-group"> <label for="input-49635966" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">Email address</label> <input aria-describedby="survey_explanation" autocomplete="email" class="gem-c-input govuk-input" id="input-49635966" name="email_survey_signup[email_address]" spellcheck="false" type="email"> </div> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Send me the survey","section":"Help us improve GOV.UK"}">Send me the survey</button> <button class="govuk-button govuk-button--secondary gem-c-feedback__close js-close-form" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffFormClose" aria-controls="page-is-not-useful" aria-expanded="true" hidden> Cancel </button> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <footer class="gem-c-layout-footer govuk-footer gem-c-layout-footer--border" role="contentinfo"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-footer__navigation" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-links-only> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds govuk-!-display-none-print"> <h2 class="govuk-footer__heading govuk-heading-m">Topics</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__list govuk-footer__list--columns-2"> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/benefits" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Benefits"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/births-deaths-marriages" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Births, death, marriages and care"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages">Births, death, marriages and care</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/business" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Business and self-employed"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/business">Business and self-employed</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/childcare-parenting" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Childcare and parenting"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting">Childcare and parenting</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/citizenship" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Citizenship and living in the UK"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship">Citizenship and living in the UK</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/cost-of-living" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Cost of living support"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living">Cost of living support</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/justice" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Crime, justice and the law"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice">Crime, justice and the law</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/disabilities" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Disabled people"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities">Disabled people</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/driving" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Driving and transport"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving">Driving and transport</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/education" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Education and learning"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/education">Education and learning</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/employing-people" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Employing people"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people">Employing people</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/environment-countryside" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Environment and countryside"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside">Environment and countryside</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/housing-local-services" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Housing and local services"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services">Housing and local services</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/tax" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Money and tax"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax">Money and tax</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/abroad" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Passports, travel and living abroad"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad">Passports, travel and living abroad</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/visas-immigration" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Visas and immigration"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration">Visas and immigration</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/working" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Working, jobs and pensions"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/working">Working, jobs and pensions</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third govuk-!-display-none-print"> <h2 class="govuk-footer__heading govuk-heading-m">Government activity</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__list govuk-footer__list--columns-1"> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/government/organisations" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Departments"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations">Departments</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/news-and-communications" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"News"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications">News</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/guidance-and-regulation" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Guidance and regulation"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/guidance-and-regulation">Guidance and regulation</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/research-and-statistics" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Research and statistics"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics">Research and statistics</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/policy-papers-and-consultations" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Policy papers and consultations"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations">Policy papers and consultations</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Transparency"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases">Transparency</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/government/how-government-works" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"How government works"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/government/how-government-works">How government works</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/government/get-involved" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Get involved"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved">Get involved</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <hr class="govuk-footer__section-break"> <div class="govuk-footer__meta"> <div class="govuk-footer__meta-item govuk-footer__meta-item--grow"> <h2 class="govuk-visually-hidden">Support links</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__inline-list govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-links-only> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Help"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/help">Help</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/privacy-notice" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Privacy"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/help/privacy-notice">Privacy</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/cookies" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Cookies"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">Cookies</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/accessibility-statement" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Accessibility statement"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/help/accessibility-statement">Accessibility statement</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/contact" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Contact"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/contact">Contact</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/terms-conditions" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Terms and conditions"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/help/terms-conditions">Terms and conditions</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" lang="cy" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/cymraeg" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Rhestr o Wasanaethau Cymraeg"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/cymraeg">Rhestr o Wasanaethau Cymraeg</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/government/organisations/government-digital-service" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Government Digital Service"}" href="/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service">Government Digital Service</a> </li> </ul> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" class="govuk-footer__licence-logo" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 483.2 195.7" height="17" width="41"> <path fill="currentColor" d="M421.5 142.8V.1l-50.7 32.3v161.1h112.4v-50.7zm-122.3-9.6A47.12 47.12 0 0 1 221 97.8c0-26 21.1-47.1 47.1-47.1 16.7 0 31.4 8.7 39.7 21.8l42.7-27.2A97.63 97.63 0 0 0 268.1 0c-36.5 0-68.3 20.1-85.1 49.7A98 98 0 0 0 97.8 0C43.9 0 0 43.9 0 97.8s43.9 97.8 97.8 97.8c36.5 0 68.3-20.1 85.1-49.7a97.76 97.76 0 0 0 149.6 25.4l19.4 22.2h3v-87.8h-80l24.3 27.5zM97.8 145c-26 0-47.1-21.1-47.1-47.1s21.1-47.1 47.1-47.1 47.2 21 47.2 47S123.8 145 97.8 145"></path> </svg> <span class="govuk-footer__licence-description" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-action="copyrightLink" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-label="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/" data-track-options="{"dimension29": "Open Government Licence v3.0"}" data-track-links-only> All content is available under the <a class="govuk-footer__link" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/" rel="license">Open Government Licence v3.0</a>, except where otherwise stated </span> </div> <div class="govuk-footer__meta-item" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-action="copyrightLink" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-label="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re-using-public-sector-information/uk-government-licensing-framework/crown-copyright/" data-track-options="{"dimension29": "© Crown copyright"}" data-track-links-only> <a class="govuk-footer__link govuk-footer__copyright-logo" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re-using-public-sector-information/uk-government-licensing-framework/crown-copyright/">© Crown copyright</a> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="/web/20230316023135js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/application-95aadcb5937bf2fc39d824ed8114d7a1fe0aa26e45db76772f9793a477be821a.js"></script> <script src="/web/20230316023135js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/application-090d25f93140905bf009be17d8a0a86a1ced10a859575f02af8bc1a77636074d.js"></script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit" }, "name": "Universal Credit", "datePublished": "2012-10-12T14:02:17.000+00:00", "dateModified": "2014-11-26T00:01:00.000+00:00", "text": "Universal Credit is replacing 6 other benefits with a single monthly payment if you're out of work or on a low income - eligibility, how to prepare.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-73b5a4056ffe9988d02c728b56fe9fe7f90bb822322a5f6183ccbb92a99b019a.png" } }, "image": [ "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-1x1-bf9e64d759af6dfd93bede8168f3087a329f405b382aff36747db0db4b7b23e9.png", "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-4x3-13093f053c15f613acd827aff27cac83d3fab452947cbcae4c7b706dadf2f7f2.png", "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-16x9-4233cd42671827e266e284c4d5ae68fb600bd9f9e35dda663ccabbc2b6ab7ec3.png" ], "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Government Digital Service", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service" }, "about": [ { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/entitlement" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/families" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/disability" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/child-benefit" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/heating" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/jobseekers-allowance" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/tax-credits" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/universal-credit" } ], "headLine": "Universal Credit", "description": "Universal Credit is replacing 6 other benefits with a single monthly payment if you're out of work or on a low income - eligibility, how to prepare.", "articleBody": "\u003cp\u003eUniversal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or \u003ca href=\"/universal-credit/how-youre-paid\"\u003etwice a month for some people in Scotland\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide is also available \u003ca href=\"/credyd-cynhwysol\"\u003ein Welsh (Cymraeg)\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you live in Northern Ireland, go to \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/universal-credit\"\u003eUniversal Credit in Northern Ireland\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"sign-in\"\u003eSign in\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/sign-in-universal-credit\"\u003eSign in to your Universal Credit account\u003c/a\u003e if you already have one.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"if-you-already-get-other-benefits\"\u003eIf you already get other benefits\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUniversal Credit is replacing the following benefits and tax credits:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eChild Tax Credit\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHousing Benefit\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIncome Support\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eincome-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eincome-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWorking Tax Credit\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re getting any of these benefits or tax credits, you do not need to do anything unless:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eyou have a \u003ca href=\"/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances\"\u003echange of circumstances\u003c/a\u003e you need to report\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eyou get a \u003ca href=\"/government/publications/tax-credits-and-some-benefits-are-ending-claim-universal-credit\"\u003eletter called a ‘Migration Notice’\u003c/a\u003e telling you that you must start to claim Universal Credit\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou’ll stop getting these benefits and tax credits when you or your partner claims Universal Credit. If you or your partner gets Pension Credit, this will also stop if one of you claims Universal Credit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis will not affect any other benefits you’re getting, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou can read more about \u003ca href=\"/how-tax-credits-affect-other-benefits\"\u003ehow tax credits and Universal Credit affect each other\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n" } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "name": "Home", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "name": "Benefits", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "name": "Benefits and financial support if you're on a low income", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/low-income" } } ] } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/http://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "headline": "Universal Credit", "description": "Universal Credit is replacing 6 other benefits with a single monthly payment if you're out of work or on a low income - eligibility, how to prepare.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-73b5a4056ffe9988d02c728b56fe9fe7f90bb822322a5f6183ccbb92a99b019a.png" } }, "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What Universal Credit is", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit", "text": "<p>Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or <a href=\"/universal-credit/how-youre-paid\">twice a month for some people in Scotland</a>.</p>\n\n<p>You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>This guide is also available <a href=\"/credyd-cynhwysol\">in Welsh (Cymraeg)</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>If you live in Northern Ireland, go to <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/universal-credit\">Universal Credit in Northern Ireland</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"sign-in\">Sign in</h2>\n\n<p><a href=\"/sign-in-universal-credit\">Sign in to your Universal Credit account</a> if you already have one.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-already-get-other-benefits\">If you already get other benefits</h2>\n\n<p>Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits and tax credits:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>Child Tax Credit</li>\n <li>Housing Benefit</li>\n <li>Income Support</li>\n <li>income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)</li>\n <li>income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)</li>\n <li>Working Tax Credit</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>If you’re getting any of these benefits or tax credits, you do not need to do anything unless:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>\n <p>you have a <a href=\"/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances\">change of circumstances</a> you need to report</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>you get a <a href=\"/government/publications/tax-credits-and-some-benefits-are-ending-claim-universal-credit\">letter called a ‘Migration Notice’</a> telling you that you must start to claim Universal Credit</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You’ll stop getting these benefits and tax credits when you or your partner claims Universal Credit. If you or your partner gets Pension Credit, this will also stop if one of you claims Universal Credit.</p>\n\n<p>This will not affect any other benefits you’re getting, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance.</p>\n\n<p>You can read more about <a href=\"/how-tax-credits-affect-other-benefits\">how tax credits and Universal Credit affect each other</a>.</p>\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Eligibility", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility", "text": "<p>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:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>out of work</li>\n <li>working (including self-employed or part time)</li>\n <li>unable to work, for example because of a health condition</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>To claim you must:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>live in the UK</li>\n <li>be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)</li>\n <li>be under <a href=\"/state-pension-age\">State Pension age</a>\n</li>\n <li>have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You can <a href=\"/benefits-calculators\">use a benefits calculator</a> to check what benefits you could get.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-youre-an-eu-eea-or-swiss-citizen\">If you’re an EU, <abbr title=\"European Economic Area\">EEA</abbr> or Swiss citizen</h2>\n\n<p>You and your family might also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Universal Credit. <a href=\"/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/eligibility\">Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-live-with-your-partner\">If you live with your partner</h2>\n\n<p>You will both need to claim for 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.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-one-of-you-has-reached-state-pension-age\">If one of you has reached State Pension age</h3>\n\n<p>If only one of you has reached <a href=\"/calculate-state-pension\">State Pension age</a>, 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.</p>\n\n<p>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 <a href=\"/benefits-calculators\">benefits calculator</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-youre-studying-or-in-training\">If you’re studying or in training</h2>\n\n<p>You can make a claim for Universal Credit if you’re in full-time education and any of the following apply:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>you live with your partner and they’re eligible for Universal Credit</li>\n <li>you’re responsible for a child, either as a single person or as a couple</li>\n <li>you’ve reached <a href=\"/state-pension-age\">State Pension age</a> and live with a partner who is below State Pension age</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>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.</p>\n\n<p>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.</p>\n\n<p>Check the <a href=\"/guidance/universal-credit-and-students#studying-full-time\">guidance about claiming Universal Credit as a student</a>.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"students-with-disabilities-or-health-conditions\">Students with disabilities or health conditions</h3>\n\n<p>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:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>Personal Independence Payment (<abbr title=\"Personal Independence Payment\">PIP</abbr>)</li>\n <li>Disability Living Allowance (<abbr title=\"Disability Living Allowance\">DLA</abbr>)</li>\n <li>Child Disability Payment (CDP) in Scotland</li>\n <li>Attendance Allowance</li>\n <li>Armed Forces Independence Payment</li>\n <li>Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"claiming-if-youre-16-or-17\">Claiming if you’re 16 or 17</h2>\n\n<p>You can make a claim for Universal Credit if any of the following apply:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>you have a health condition or disability and have medical evidence for it, such as a fit note</li>\n <li>you’re caring for someone who gets a health or disability-related benefit</li>\n <li>you’re responsible for a child</li>\n <li>you live with your partner, have responsibility for a child and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit</li>\n <li>you’re pregnant and expecting your baby in the next 11 weeks</li>\n <li>you’ve had a baby in the last 15 weeks</li>\n <li>you do not have parental support, for example you do not live with your parents and are not under local authority care</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition\">If you have a disability or health condition</h2>\n\n<p>If you have <a href=\"/health-conditions-disability-universal-credit\">a health condition that affects your ability to work</a> you might get extra money for Universal Credit.</p>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What you'll get", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get", "text": "<p>How much Universal Credit you get depends on:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>your standard allowance</li>\n <li>any extra amounts that apply to you</li>\n <li>any money taken off your payment</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Use a <a href=\"/benefits-calculators\">benefits calculator</a> to see how much you could get.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"your-monthly-assessment-period\">Your monthly assessment period</h2>\n\n<p>Universal Credit is paid monthly and is based on your circumstances each month. This is called your ‘assessment period’ and it starts the day you make your claim.</p>\n\n<p>For example, if you made your claim on the 10th of the month, your assessment period will start from the 10th of that month until the 9th of the following month. Your Universal Credit payment will then be paid on the 16th of each month.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances\">Changes in your circumstances</a> can affect how much you’re paid for your assessment period. You should report a change of circumstances to get the correct payment.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>How much Universal Credit you get will also <a href=\"/universal-credit/how-your-earnings-affect-your-payments\">depend on your earnings</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"standard-allowance\">Standard allowance</h2>\n\n<p>You’ll get one standard allowance for your household.</p>\n\n<table>\n <thead>\n <tr>\n <th scope=\"col\">How much you’ll get</th>\n <th scope=\"col\">Monthly standard allowance</th>\n </tr>\n </thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td>If you’re single and under 25</td>\n <td>£265.31</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>If you’re single and 25 or over</td>\n <td>£334.91</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>If you live with your partner and you’re both under 25</td>\n <td>£416.45 (for you both)</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>If you live with your partner and either of you are 25 or over</td>\n <td>£525.72 (for you both)</td>\n </tr>\n </tbody>\n</table>\n\n<h2 id=\"extra-amounts\">Extra amounts</h2>\n\n<p>You may get more money on top of your standard allowance if you’re eligible.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-you-have-children\">If you have children</h3>\n\n<p>You’ll get an extra amount for your first and second child.</p>\n\n<p>You will not get extra money for any more children unless:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>your children were born before 6 April 2017</li>\n <li>you were already claiming for 3 or more children before 6 April 2017</li>\n <li>other <a href=\"/guidance/universal-credit-and-families-with-more-than-2-children-information-for-claimants\">exceptions apply</a>\n</li>\n</ul>\n\n<table>\n <thead>\n <tr>\n <th scope=\"col\">How much you’ll get</th>\n <th scope=\"col\">Extra monthly amount</th>\n </tr>\n </thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td>For your first child</td>\n <td>£290.00 (born before 6 April 2017) <br> £244.58 (born on or after 6 April 2017)</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>For your second child and any other eligible children</td>\n <td>£244.58 per child</td>\n </tr>\n </tbody>\n</table>\n\n<p>You’ll also get an extra amount if any of your children are disabled. You’re eligible for this extra amount no matter how many children you have.</p>\n\n<p>You’ll get:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>£132.89 if your child is disabled</li>\n <li>£414.88 if your child is severely disabled</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"childcare-costs\">Childcare costs</h3>\n\n<p>You 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.</p>\n\n<p>The 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.</p>\n\n<p>The most you can get each month is:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>\n <p>£646.35 for one child</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>£1,108.04 for 2 or more children</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>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.</p>\n\n<p>Read more about <a href=\"/guidance/universal-credit-childcare-costs\">childcare costs and Universal Credit</a>.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition\">If you have a disability or health condition</h3>\n\n<table>\n <thead>\n <tr>\n <th scope=\"col\">How much you’ll get</th>\n <th scope=\"col\">Extra monthly amount</th>\n </tr>\n </thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td>If you have limited capability for work and work-related activity</td>\n <td>£354.28</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>If you have limited capability for work and you started your health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (<abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>) claim before 3 April 2017</td>\n <td>£132.89</td>\n </tr>\n </tbody>\n</table>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>If you get the severe disability premium and you’re moving to Universal Credit, you might also be entitled to a ‘transitional protection’ payment.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>Read more about <a href=\"/health-conditions-disability-universal-credit\">health conditions, disability and Universal Credit</a>.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-you-care-for-someone-who-gets-a-health-or-disability-related-benefit\">If you care for someone who gets a health or disability-related benefit</h3>\n\n<table>\n <thead>\n <tr>\n <th scope=\"col\">How much you’ll get</th>\n <th scope=\"col\">Extra monthly amount</th>\n </tr>\n </thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td>If you provide care for at least 35 hours a week for someone who gets a health or disability-related benefit</td>\n <td>£168.81</td>\n </tr>\n </tbody>\n</table>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>This is on top of any extra amount you get if you have a disabled child.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h3 id=\"housing-costs\">Housing costs</h3>\n\n<p>You could get money to help pay your <a href=\"/housing-and-universal-credit\">housing costs</a>. The payment can cover rent and some service charges.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get a <a href=\"/housing-and-universal-credit/property-you-own\">loan to help with interest payments</a> on your mortgage.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"money-taken-off-your-payment\">Money taken off your payment</h2>\n\n<p>Your payments might be reduced if any of the following apply:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>\n <p>you are paying back an advance on a Universal Credit payment</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>you have more than £6,000 in money, savings and investments</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>you would get above the <a href=\"/benefit-cap/benefit-cap-amounts\">amount limited by the benefit cap</a></p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>you’ve been overpaid benefits in the past</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>you owe money for Council Tax, court fines, electricity, gas, water or Child Maintenance</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>you pay your gas or electricity bill directly from your Universal Credit payment</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>you have a <a href=\"/universal-credit/how-your-earnings-affect-your-payments\">paid job</a></p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>you have other income – for example, money from pensions or certain other benefits</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Find out more about <a href=\"/guidance/find-out-about-money-taken-off-your-universal-credit-payment\">money taken off your Universal Credit payment</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"moving-to-universal-credit-from-other-benefits\">Moving to Universal Credit from other benefits</h2>\n\n<p>If 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.</p>\n\n<p>This only applies if you’re getting:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>\n <p>income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>income-related Employment and Support Allowance</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>Income Support</p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>Housing Benefit</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You will not need to pay back the extra payments and they will not affect the Universal Credit you might get.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"other-support-you-could-get\">Other support you could get</h2>\n\n<p>If you receive Universal Credit you may also be able to get <a href=\"/universal-credit/other-financial-support\">other financial support</a> depending on your circumstances.</p>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How your earnings affect your payments", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-your-earnings-affect-your-payments", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-your-earnings-affect-your-payments", "text": "<p>If you or your partner are employed, how much Universal Credit you get will depend on how much you earn. Your Universal Credit payment will reduce as you earn more. For every £1 you or your partner earns your payment goes down by 55p.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>There are different rules <a href=\"/self-employment-and-universal-credit\">if you’re self-employed</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>There’s no limit to how many hours you can work. Your Universal Credit does not stop if you work more than 16 hours a week.</p>\n\n<p>Use a <a href=\"/benefits-calculators\">benefits calculator</a> to see how increasing your hours or starting a new job could affect what you get.</p>\n\n<p>Most employers will report your earnings for you. You will normally only need to report monthly earnings if you’re self-employed.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"the-work-allowance\">The work allowance</h2>\n\n<p>You can earn a certain amount before your Universal Credit is reduced if you or your partner are either:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>responsible for a child or young person</li>\n <li>living with a <a href=\"/health-conditions-disability-universal-credit\">disability or health condition</a> that affects your ability to work</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>This is called a ‘work allowance’. Your work allowance is lower if you get help with housing costs.</p>\n\n<table>\n <thead>\n <tr>\n <th scope=\"col\">Your circumstances</th>\n <th scope=\"col\">Monthly work allowance</th>\n </tr>\n </thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td>You get help with housing costs</td>\n <td>£344</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>You do not get help with housing costs</td>\n <td>£573</td>\n </tr>\n </tbody>\n</table>\n\n<h3 id=\"example\">Example</h3>\n\n<div class=\"example\">\n<p>You have a child and get money for housing costs in your Universal Credit payment. You’re working and earn £500 during your <a href=\"/universal-credit/what-youll-get\">assessment period</a>.</p>\n\n<p>Your work allowance is £344. This means you can earn £344 without any money being deducted.</p>\n\n<p>For every £1 of the remaining £156 you get, 55p is taken from your Universal Credit payment. So £156 x £0.55 = £85.80.</p>\n\n<p>This means you earn £500 and £85.80 is deducted from your Universal Credit.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-often-youre-paid-can-affect-your-universal-credit\">How often you’re paid can affect your Universal Credit</h2>\n\n<p>If you’re paid once a month on the same date and nothing changes in your earnings, then your Universal Credit amount should stay the same.</p>\n\n<p>Your Universal Credit can be affected if you receive no wages or more than one set of wages during some assessment periods. This could happen if:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>you’re paid weekly, every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks</li>\n <li>your monthly payment date changes, for example you get paid on the last working day of each month</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-your-monthly-payment-date-changes\">If your monthly payment date changes</h3>\n\n<p>You’ll need to <a href=\"/sign-in-universal-credit\">sign into your online account</a> to check how much your next monthly payment will be. If it looks like you’ll get paid too much or too little Universal Credit, ask your work coach to consider moving your wages into another assessment period.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youre-paid-weekly-every-2-weeks-or-every-4-weeks\">If you’re paid weekly, every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks</h3>\n\n<p>You’ll be told if your earnings are too high and whether you’ll need to reapply to continue to get Universal Credit.</p>\n\n<table>\n <thead>\n <tr>\n <th scope=\"col\">How often you’re paid by your employer</th>\n <th scope=\"col\">The impact</th>\n </tr>\n </thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td>Every 4 weeks</td>\n <td>Once a year, you’ll get 2 sets of wages in one assessment period</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Every 2 weeks</td>\n <td>Twice a year, you’ll get 3 sets of wages in one assessment period</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>Every week</td>\n <td>Four times a year, you’ll get 5 sets of wages in one assessment period</td>\n </tr>\n </tbody>\n</table>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-your-payment-stops-because-your-earnings-increased\">If your payment stops because your earnings increased</h2>\n\n<p>As you or your partner’s income increases, your payment will reduce until you’re earning enough to no longer claim Universal Credit. Your payment will then be stopped. You’ll be told when this happens.</p>\n\n<p>If your earnings decrease after this, you can claim Universal Credit again.</p>\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How you're paid", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-youre-paid", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-youre-paid", "text": "<p>Universal Credit is paid once a month, usually into your bank, building society or credit union account.</p>\n\n<p>Your payment can include <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/housing-and-universal-credit\">money for your rent</a> or other housing costs. You’ll usually need to pay this to your landlord.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re not able to open a bank, building society or credit union account, <a href=\"/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit\">call the Universal Credit helpline</a> to arrange a different way of getting paid.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>Find out how you’ll be paid if <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/how-and-when-you-get-paid-universal-credit\">you’re in Northern Ireland</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"your-first-payment\">Your first payment</h2>\n\n<p>It usually takes around 5 weeks to get your first payment.</p>\n\n<p>If you need money while you wait for your first payment, you can <a href=\"/universal-credit/get-an-advance-first-payment\">apply for an advance</a>.</p>\n\n<p>The wait before your first payment is made up of a one-month assessment period and up to 7 days for the payment to reach your account.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"example\">Example</h3>\n\n<div class=\"example\">\n<p>You make a new Universal Credit claim on 1 September.</p>\n\n<p>Your first assessment period runs for one month to 30 September, with a new assessment period beginning on 1 October.</p>\n\n<p>You get paid on 7 October and on the 7th of each month after that.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"payment-dates\">Payment dates</h2>\n\n<p>After the first payment, you’ll be paid on the same date of every month.</p>\n\n<p>If your payment date is on a weekend, you’ll be paid on the working day before.</p>\n\n<p>You can see your monthly statement in your online account. This tells you how much Universal Credit you’re going to get.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-you-live-in-scotland\">If you live in Scotland</h3>\n\n<p>You can get paid once or twice a month.</p>\n\n<p>If 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.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re already getting Universal Credit and have not had a notification, you can ask your work coach to be paid twice a month.</p>\n\n<p>When 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.</p>\n\n<p>After this, you’ll be paid twice a month.</p>\n\n<h4 id=\"example-1\">Example</h4>\n\n<div class=\"example\">\n<p>You get your first payment on 14 December. This payment is for a full month.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re paid twice a month, you get half of your second payment on 14 January and the other half on 29 January.</p>\n\n<p>You get paid on the 14th and 29th of each month after that.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-live-with-a-partner\">If you live with a partner</h2>\n\n<p>If you both claim Universal Credit, you’ll get one payment each month for your household.</p>\n\n<p>If you live in Scotland and you’ve chosen to be paid twice monthly, you’ll receive 2 payments each month for your household.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit\">Call the Universal Credit helpline</a> if you’re worried about getting access to this money.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"ask-to-change-how-youre-paid\">Ask to change how you’re paid</h2>\n\n<p>You can ask to have your Universal Credit paid differently if you need help managing a single monthly payment. This is called an <a href=\"/government/publications/universal-credit-alternative-payment-arrangements\">Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA)</a>. Having an APA could mean:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>your rent is paid directly to your landlord</li>\n <li>you receive payments twice a month instead of once a month</li>\n <li>you arrange to get a separate payment from your partner</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>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.</p>\n\n<p>You’re more likely to get an APA if you have things like:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>unpaid rent (also known as being in ‘rent arrears’)</li>\n <li>addiction problems</li>\n <li>mental health issues</li>\n <li>learning difficulties</li>\n <li>experience of homelessness</li>\n <li>experience of domestic abuse</li>\n</ul>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How to claim", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim", "text": "<p>You can apply for Universal Credit online.</p>\n\n<p>You need to create an account. You use it to make a claim. You must complete your claim within 28 days of creating your account or you will have to start again.</p>\n\n<p>If 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.</p>\n\n<p>If you cannot claim online, you can claim by phone through the Universal Credit helpline.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"check-if-youre-better-off-on-universal-credit-before-you-apply\">Check if you’re better off on Universal Credit before you apply</h2>\n\n<p>If you already get benefits or tax credits, you should work out if you’ll be better off before you or your partner claim Universal Credit.</p>\n\n<p>If 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.</p>\n\n<p>To check if you’re better off, you can:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>\n <p>use a <a href=\"/benefits-calculators\">benefits calculator</a></p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>contact <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/\">the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service</a></p>\n </li>\n <li>\n <p>ask a <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://advicelocal.uk/find-an-adviser\">local benefits adviser</a></p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-you-need-to-apply\">What you need to apply</h2>\n\n<p>To apply online you’ll need:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>your bank, building society or credit union account details</li>\n <li>an email address</li>\n <li>access to a phone</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>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.</p>\n\n<p>You’ll also have to prove your identity. You’ll need some identity documents for this, for example your:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>driving licence</li>\n <li>passport</li>\n <li>debit or credit card</li>\n <li>payslip or P60</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>To complete your claim you will need to provide information about:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>\n<a href=\"/housing-and-universal-credit\">your housing</a>, for example how much rent you pay</li>\n <li>your earnings, for example payslips</li>\n <li>any disability or health condition that affects your work</li>\n <li>how much you pay for childcare if you want help with childcare costs</li>\n <li>your savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You might need an appointment with the Universal Credit team if:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>they need more information</li>\n <li>you cannot verify your identity online</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You’ll be told if this appointment will be in a jobcentre or on the phone.</p>\n\n<p>You will have to go to a meeting to agree the activities in <a href=\"/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment\">your claimant commitment</a> before you can get your first payment.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"apply-for-universal-credit-online\">Apply for Universal Credit online</h2>\n\n<p><a class=\"gem-c-button govuk-button govuk-button--start\" role=\"button\" data-module=\"govuk-button\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/postcode-checker\"> Apply now <svg class=\"govuk-button__start-icon govuk-!-display-none-print\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"17.5\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 33 40\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M0 0h13l20 20-20 20H0l20-20z\"></path></svg></a></p>\n\n<h3 id=\"help-with-your-claim\">Help with your claim</h3>\n\n<p>There 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.</p>\n\n<p>Calls to the Universal Credit helpline are free.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"universal-credit-helpline\">Universal Credit helpline</h3>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<p>Universal Credit helpline <br>\nTelephone: 0800 328 5644 <br>\nWelsh language: 0800 328 1744 <br>\n<a href=\"https://www.relayuk.bt.com\">Relay UK</a> (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644 <br>\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) <a href=\"https://connect.interpreterslive.co.uk/vrs?ilc=DWP\">video relay service</a> if you’re on a computer - find out how to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oELNMfAvDxw\">use the service on mobile or tablet</a><br>\nTextphone: 0800 328 1344 <br>\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 6pm <br>\n<a href=\"/call-charges\">Find out about call charges</a></p>\n</div>\n\n<h3 id=\"help-to-claim\">Help to Claim</h3>\n\n<p>You 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.</p>\n\n<p>The Help to Claim service is provided by Citizens Advice and is confidential. They will not share your personal information unless you agree.</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/helptoclaim\">Get Help to Claim if you live in England or Wales</a></li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.cas.org.uk/helptoclaim\">Get Help to Claim if you live in Scotland</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-youve-claimed-universal-credit-before\">If you’ve claimed Universal Credit before</h2>\n\n<p>You can <a href=\"/sign-in-universal-credit\">sign in to your account</a> to start a new claim if you’ve received a payment during the last 6 months.</p>\n\n<p>If your payments stopped more than 6 months ago, you’ll need to make a new claim.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-disagree-with-a-decision\">If you disagree with a decision</h2>\n\n<p>You can <a href=\"/mandatory-reconsideration\">challenge a decision</a> about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.</p>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Get an advance on your first payment", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/get-an-advance-first-payment", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/get-an-advance-first-payment", "text": "<p>If you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment, you can apply to get an advance.</p>\n\n<p>The most you can get as an advance is the amount of your first estimated payment.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-apply\">How to apply</h2>\n\n<p>You can apply for an advance payment in your <a href=\"/sign-in-universal-credit\">online account</a> or through your Jobcentre Plus work coach.</p>\n\n<p>You’ll need to:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>explain why you need an advance</li>\n <li>verify your identity (you’ll do this when you apply online or on the phone with a work coach)</li>\n <li>provide bank account details for the advance (talk to your work coach if you cannot open an account)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You’ll usually find out the same day if you can get an advance.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-you-need-help\">If you need help</h3>\n\n<p><a href=\"/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit\">Call the Universal Credit helpline</a> if you need help applying for an advance payment.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-you-pay-back-your-advance\">How you pay back your advance</h2>\n\n<p>You must usually pay back the advance within 24 months. You start paying it back out of your first payment.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"example\">Example</h3>\n\n<div class=\"example\">\n<p>Your first estimated payment is £344 and you get £344 as an advance.</p>\n\n<p>You pay back your advance over 24 months, which is £14.33 per month. You’ll get £329.67 on your first payment date - this is your first payment minus the bit you’re repaying (£344 minus £14.33).</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>Read more about <a href=\"/guidance/universal-credit-advances\">getting a Universal Credit advance</a>.</p>\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Your claimant commitment", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment", "text": "<p>To get Universal Credit payments, you’ll need to accept an agreement called a ‘claimant commitment’.</p>\n\n<p>This is a record of what you agree to do to:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>prepare for and look for work</li>\n <li>increase your earnings, if you are already working.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>If you live with your partner, you both have to claim Universal Credit. You’ll each have your own claimant commitment.</p>\n\n<p>You must do everything you agree to in your commitment or your payment could be reduced or stopped. This is called a sanction.</p>\n\n<p>If a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live, you will not need a claimant commitment and you will not get a sanction.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"agreeing-your-commitments\">Agreeing your commitments</h2>\n\n<p>You 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.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>You must accept your claimant commitment in your online account or your Universal Credit claim will be stopped.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>Your 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.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-need-to-look-for-work\">If you need to look for work</h2>\n\n<p>You 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.</p>\n\n<p>What you need to do depends on if you:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>have a health condition or are disabled</li>\n <li>care for someone</li>\n <li>have a child under 13</li>\n <li>earn above a certain amount</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>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.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"your-work-coach\">Your work coach</h3>\n\n<p>If 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.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"attending-appointments\">Attending appointments</h2>\n<p>You may need to attend regular appointments. These are usually in the jobcentre, but could also be by phone.</p>\n\n<p>If 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.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"managing-your-claim-online\">Managing your claim online</h2>\n\n<p>You will have to manage your claim in your online account. You might have to reply to messages, record your child care costs, or tell us what you’ve done to look for work.</p>\n\n<p>You’ll get a text or email when you need to do something in your online account.</p>\n\n<p>You will also have to <a href=\"/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances\">report changes in your circumstances</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"get-help-and-support\">Get help and support</h2>\n\n<p>You should <a href=\"/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit\">contact the Universal Credit helpline</a> for support straight away if you:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>are unable to manage your claim online and need to claim by phone</li>\n <li>cannot do the things you’ve agreed to in your claimant commitment</li>\n <li>are unable to respond to a message or do something you’re asked to in your online account</li>\n <li>will miss an appointment</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>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.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"help-if-your-payment-is-stopped-or-reduced\">Help if your payment is stopped or reduced</h2>\n\n<p>If you do not do what is in your claimant commitment, you could get a sanction.</p>\n\n<p>If you cannot pay for your rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because you got a sanction you can <a href=\"/universal-credit/other-financial-support\">ask Universal Credit for a hardship payment</a>.</p>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Report a change of circumstances", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/changes-of-circumstances", "text": "<p>You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount each month.</p>\n\n<p>You 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.</p>\n\n<p>Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your whole assessment period - not just from the date you report them.</p>\n\n<p>Changes can include:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>finding or finishing a job</li>\n <li>having a child</li>\n <li>moving in with your partner</li>\n <li>starting to care for a child or disabled person</li>\n <li>changing your mobile number or email address</li>\n <li>moving to a new address</li>\n <li>changing your bank details</li>\n <li>your rent going up or down</li>\n <li>changes to your health condition</li>\n <li>becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach</li>\n <li>changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed)</li>\n <li>changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have</li>\n <li>changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen</li>\n</ul>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Warning\" class=\"application-notice help-notice\">\n<p>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.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-report\">How to report</h2>\n\n<p>You can report a change of circumstances by <a href=\"/sign-in-universal-credit\">signing in to your Universal Credit account</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-get-a-job-or-increase-the-hours-you-work\">If you get a job or increase the hours you work</h2>\n\n<p>Use a <a href=\"/benefits-calculators\">benefits calculator</a> 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.</p>\n\n<p>Most employers will report your earnings for you. You will normally only need to report monthly earnings if you are self-employed.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-youve-been-paid-too-much\">If you’ve been paid too much</h2>\n\n<p>You may have to repay the money if you:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>did not report a change straight away</li>\n <li>gave wrong information</li>\n <li>were overpaid by mistake</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Find out how to <a href=\"/benefit-overpayments\">repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-youre-nearing-the-end-of-life\">If you’re nearing the end of life</h2>\n\n<p>You may get extra money if you’re nearing the end of life because of an illness. You may also be able to <a href=\"/benefits-end-of-life\">get other benefits</a>.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youve-been-told-you-might-have-more-than-12-months-to-live\">If you’ve been told you might have more than 12 months to live</h3>\n\n<p>You’ll need to report this in the same way as any other change of circumstance.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youve-been-told-you-might-have-12-months-or-less-to-live\">If you’ve been told you might have 12 months or less to live</h3>\n\n<p>Report the change online through your <a href=\"/sign-in-universal-credit\">Universal Credit account</a>. You’ll be contacted about what to do next.</p>\n\n<p>You can also get someone else to report the change for you. They should ask a doctor or medical professional to fill in:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>form DS1500 if you’ve been told you might have 6 months or less to live</li>\n <li>form SR1 if you’ve been told you might have 12 months or less to live</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>The doctor will have the form already. Either the doctor or your representative can send it to:</p>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<p>Freepost <br>\nDepartment for Work and Pensions <br>\nUniversal Credit Full Service</p>\n</div>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>If you’ve already sent either form SR1 or DS1500 for another benefit, for example Employment and Support Allowance, you do not need to send it again.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>You will not need to have a Work Capability Assessment.</p>\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Other financial support", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/other-financial-support", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/other-financial-support", "text": "<p>If you’re in financial difficulties, you can get help and advice from the government, local councils and other organisations.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"advance-and-hardship-payments\">Advance and hardship payments</h2>\n\n<p>If you do not have enough to live on while you wait for your first payment you can ask for an <a href=\"/universal-credit/get-an-advance-first-payment\">advance payment</a> after you’ve made a claim.</p>\n\n<p>You can also ask for a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because you <a href=\"/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment\">got a sanction</a>.</p>\n\n<p>You need to pay it back through your Universal Credit payments - they’ll be lower until you pay it back.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"change-how-you-get-your-universal-credit\">Change how you get your Universal Credit</h2>\n\n<p>If you’re having financial difficulties or you’re behind on your rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an Alternative Payment Arrangement (<abbr title=\"Alternative Payment Arrangement\">APA</abbr>).</p>\n\n<p>Depending on your circumstances, you could get an <abbr title=\"Alternative Payment Arrangement\">APA</abbr> to:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>get your rent paid directly to your landlord</li>\n <li>get paid more frequently than once a month</li>\n <li>receive split payments, if you’re part of a couple</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Speak to your work coach to apply for an <abbr title=\"Alternative Payment Arrangement\">APA</abbr>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"budgeting-advance\">Budgeting Advance</h2>\n\n<p>You might be able to get a Budgeting Advance to help with:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>emergency household costs such as replacing a broken cooker</li>\n <li>getting a job or staying in work</li>\n <li>funeral costs</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You’ll repay it through your regular Universal Credit payments - these will be lower until you pay it back. If you stop getting Universal Credit, you’ll have to repay the money in another way.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"how-much-you-can-borrow\">How much you can borrow</h3>\n\n<p>What you get will depend on how much you need - you’ll agree the amount with your work coach.</p>\n\n<p>The smallest amount you can borrow is £100. You can get up to:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>£348 if you’re single</li>\n <li>£464 if you’re part of a couple</li>\n <li>£812 if you have children</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"eligibility\">Eligibility</h3>\n\n<p>To get a Budgeting Advance, all of the following must apply:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>you’ve been getting Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or State Pension Credit for 6 months or more, unless you need the money to help you start a new job or stay in work</li>\n <li>you’ve earned less than £2,600 (£3,600 together for couples) in the past 6 months</li>\n <li>you’ve paid off any previous Budgeting Advance loans</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"how-to-apply\">How to apply</h3>\n\n<p>To apply, you can do any of the following:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>update your journal in your <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit\">Universal Credit account</a>\n</li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/search.php\">contact your nearest jobcentre</a></li>\n <li>call the Universal Credit helpline</li>\n</ul>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<p>Universal Credit helpline<br>\nTelephone: 0800 328 5644<br>\nTextphone: 0800 328 1344 <br>\n<a href=\"https://www.relayuk.bt.com\">Relay UK</a> (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644 <br>\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) <a href=\"https://connect.interpreterslive.co.uk/vrs?ilc=DWP\">video relay service</a> if you’re on a computer - find out how to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oELNMfAvDxw\">use the service on mobile or tablet</a> <br>\nWelsh language: 0800 328 1744 <br>\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 6pm <br>\n<a href=\"/call-charges\">Find out about call charges</a></p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"other-benefits-you-can-claim\">Other benefits you can claim</h2>\n\n<p>If you want to claim a benefit without your savings, your partner’s savings or their income being taken into account, you can apply for either:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li><a href=\"/jobseekers-allowance/apply-new-style-jsa\">‘new style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim\">‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"/benefits-calculators\">Use a benefits calculator</a> to find out what other benefits you could get, for example Personal Independence Payment if you’re disabled.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"other-financial-support-you-might-get\">Other financial support you might get</h2>\n\n<p>If you receive Universal Credit you may be able to get other payments too.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>You might be able to get <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-security/universal-credit/\">different support in Scotland</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h3 id=\"help-with-housing-costs-and-bills\">Help with housing costs and bills</h3>\n\n<p>You might be able to get:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>a <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs\">cheaper ‘social tariff’ for broadband or mobile phone services</a>\n</li>\n <li>a <a href=\"/cold-weather-payment\">Cold Weather Payment</a>\n</li>\n <li><a href=\"/disabled-facilities-grants\">Disabled Facilities Grants</a></li>\n <li>\n<a href=\"/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments\">Discretionary Housing Payments</a> if your Universal Credit payment is not enough to pay your rent</li>\n <li><a href=\"/energy-company-obligation\">Energy Company Obligation (ECO)</a></li>\n <li>a <a href=\"/apply-council-tax-reduction\">reduction in your Council Tax</a>\n</li>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/\">WaterSure</a> to cap your bills if you have a water meter</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You can get advice on reducing your energy bills from:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/\">Energy Saving Trust</a> - in England and Wales</li>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/\">Home Energy Scotland</a> - in Scotland</li>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.brysonenergy.org/what-we-do/our-services/advice\">Bryson Energy</a> - in Northern Ireland</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"help-if-youre-pregnant-or-have-a-child\">Help if you’re pregnant or have a child</h3>\n\n<p>You might be able to get free:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>\n<a href=\"/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds\">early education for 2 year olds</a> in England</li>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare\">early learning and childcare for 2 year olds</a> in Scotland</li>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://gov.wales/get-help-flying-start\">childcare for 2 and 3 year olds</a> in Wales</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You might also be able to get:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li><a href=\"/apply-free-school-meals\">free school meals</a></li>\n <li>\n<a href=\"/healthy-start\">Healthy Start vouchers</a> (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) if you’re pregnant or have a child under 4 years old</li>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-new/\">Best Start Foods and a Best Start Grant</a> (in Scotland) if you’re pregnant or have a child under 4 years old</li>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment\">Scottish Child Payment</a> (in Scotland) if you have a child under 6 years old</li>\n <li>a <a href=\"/sure-start-maternity-grant\">Sure Start Maternity Grant</a> in England, Wales and Northern Ireland</li>\n <li>\n<a href=\"/child-maintenance-service\">child maintenance</a> if you do not live with your child’s other parent (this will not affect your Universal Credit payments)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"help-with-legal-costs\">Help with legal costs</h3>\n\n<p>You might be able to get:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>help with <a href=\"/help-with-prison-visits\">prison visiting costs</a>\n</li>\n <li>help with <a href=\"/court-fees-what-they-are\">the costs of using courts or tribunals</a>\n</li>\n <li><a href=\"/legal-aid\">legal aid</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"help-with-other-costs\">Help with other costs</h3>\n\n<p>You might be able to get:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/help-with-health-costs-for-people-getting-universal-credit/\">help with health costs, including prescriptions and dental treatment</a></li>\n <li>a <a href=\"/funeral-payments\">Funeral Expenses Payment</a>\n</li>\n <li>help with <a href=\"/get-help-savings-low-income\">building up savings through Help to Save</a>\n</li>\n <li>a discount on the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.royalmail.com/receiving/redirection/concessions\">Royal Mail redirection service</a> if you’re moving house</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You might also be able to get a Jobcentre Plus Travel Card for discounts on:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/jobcentre-plus-card.aspx\">rail travel</a></li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/back-on-board\">Stagecoach buses</a></li>\n <li>Transport for London (<abbr title=\"Transport for London\">TfL</abbr>) <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/jobcentre-plus-travel-discount\">buses, tubes and other public transport in London</a>\n</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"advice-on-money-and-debt\">Advice on money and debt</h2>\n\n<p>You can get help and advice from:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>your Jobcentre Plus work coach</li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-we-provide-advice/advice/\">Citizens Advice</a></li>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/\">Help for Households</a> for support with the rising cost of living</li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.moneyadvicetrust.org\">Money Advice Trust</a></li>\n <li>the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/benefits/universal-credit/money-manager\">Money Manager tool</a>\n</li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/debt-advice-locator\">Money Helper to find a free debt adviser</a></li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nationaldebtline.org/\">National Debtline</a></li>\n <li>\n<a rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.shelter.org.uk\">Shelter</a> for help with housing and homelessness</li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.stepchange.org/\">StepChange</a></li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.turn2us.org.uk/\">Turn2Us</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You can also get help from the <a href=\"/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/breathing-space\">Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme)</a>, but you will need to find a debt advisor first to be able to apply.</p>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Contact Universal Credit", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20230316023135/https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit", "text": "<p>You can contact Universal Credit:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>through your <a href=\"/sign-in-universal-credit\">online account</a>\n</li>\n <li>by calling the Universal Credit helpline</li>\n</ul>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<p>Universal Credit helpline<br>\nTelephone: 0800 328 5644<br>\nTextphone: 0800 328 1344 <br>\n<a href=\"https://www.relayuk.bt.com\">Relay UK</a> (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644 <br>\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) <a href=\"https://connect.interpreterslive.co.uk/vrs?ilc=DWP\">video relay service</a> if you’re on a computer - find out how to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oELNMfAvDxw\">use the service on mobile or tablet</a> <br>\nWelsh language: 0800 328 1744 <br>\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 6pm <br>\n<a href=\"/call-charges\">Find out about call charges</a></p>\n</div>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>If you live in Northern Ireland and you want to use a helpline, contact the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/universal-credit-service-centre\">Universal Credit Service Centre</a> instead.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-your-query-is-about-claiming-new-style-benefits-with-universal-credit\">If your query is about claiming ‘new style’ benefits with Universal Credit</h2>\n\n<p>You could get <a href=\"/employment-support-allowance\">‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (<abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>)</a> or <a href=\"/jobseekers-allowance\">‘new style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance (<abbr title=\"Jobseeker's Allowance\">JSA</abbr>)</a> at the same time or instead of Universal Credit.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"apply-for-new-style-esa\">Apply for ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>\n</h3>\n\n<p>You can <a href=\"/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim\">apply for ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> online</a> or contact the Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline.</p>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<p>Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline for ESA<br>\nTelephone: 0800 055 6688<br>\nTextphone: 0800 328 1344<br>\n<a href=\"https://www.relayuk.bt.com\">Relay UK</a> (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 055 6688<br>\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) <a href=\"https://connect.interpreterslive.co.uk/vrs?ilc=DWP\">video relay service</a> if you’re on a computer - find out how to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oELNMfAvDxw\">use the service on mobile or tablet</a><br>\nWelsh language telephone: 0800 328 1744<br>\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 5pm<br>\n<a href=\"/call-charges\">Find out about call charges</a></p>\n</div>\n\n<h3 id=\"apply-for-new-style-jsa\">Apply for ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Jobseeker's Allowance\">JSA</abbr>\n</h3>\n\n<p>You can <a href=\"/jobseekers-allowance/how-to-claim\">apply for ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Jobseeker's Allowance\">JSA</abbr> online</a> or contact the Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline.</p>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<p>Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline for JSA<br>\nTelephone: 0800 055 6688 <br>\nTextphone: 0800 023 4888 <br>\n<a href=\"https://www.relayuk.bt.com\">Relay UK</a> (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 055 6688 <br>\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) <a href=\"https://connect.interpreterslive.co.uk/vrs?ilc=DWP\">video relay service</a> if you’re on a computer - find out how to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oELNMfAvDxw\">use the service on mobile or tablet</a><br>\nWelsh language: 0800 012 1888 <br>\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 5pm <br>\n<a href=\"/call-charges\">Find out about call charges</a></p>\n</div>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-you-have-a-query-about-an-existing-claim-for-new-style-esa-or-jsa\">If you have a query about an existing claim for ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> or <abbr title=\"Jobseeker's Allowance\">JSA</abbr>\n</h3>\n\n<p>Contact the Jobcentre Plus helpline.</p>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<p>Jobcentre Plus<br>\nTelephone: 0800 169 0310 <br>\nTextphone: 0800 169 0314 <br>\n<a href=\"https://www.relayuk.bt.com\">Relay UK</a> (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310 <br>\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) <a href=\"https://connect.interpreterslive.co.uk/vrs?ilc=DWP\">video relay service</a> if you’re on a computer - find out how to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oELNMfAvDxw\">use the service on mobile or tablet</a><br>\nWelsh language: 0800 328 1744 <br>\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 5pm <br>\n<a href=\"/call-charges\">Find out about call charges</a></p>\n</div>\n\n" } } ] } </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM