United Kingdom - Apply for Universal Credit

Advertisement

Procedure

Apply Online

1. The Universal Credit is a financial aid given by the government to help it's citizens with living costs. It is paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland. Applications for Universal Credit is done online. Before you apply please have to following information ready:
   • your bank, building society or credit union account details (call the Universal Credit helpline if you do not have one)
   • your email address
   • information about your housing, for example how much rent you pay
   • details of your income, for example payslips
   • details of savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out
   • details of how much you pay for childcare if you’re applying for help with childcare costs
2. To start your application please click this link - Apply for Universal Credit online
3. The application will require you to create an account. You'll need to sign in to your account whenever you transact online so make sure to remember your username and password.
4. After registration, log in to your account and just follow the online instructions on how to fill up the application and make a claim.
5. Make sure to provide the right information when you apply. When you will get paid or how much financial aid you might get will depend on the information that you have provided. You must submit your claim within 28 days of creating your account. If you live with your partner, they will also need to create an account. You will receive a code to link the two accounts.
6. As part of the application process you will also have to verify your identity online. You’ll need some proof of identity for this, you may need to present your driving licence, passport, and your debit or credit card.
   In case you cannot verify your identity online. The Universal Credit team will contact you to help you verify your identity.
7. Within 10 days after submitting your claim you will need to have an interview with Jobcentre Plus. You do not need to go to it at the moment because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will reach out to you to let you know what you need to do instead.
8. You'll receive your first payment 5 weeks after you submitted your claim. Your account will be updated to tell you how much it will be.

Advertisement

Required Documents

• Your driving licence
• Passport
• Debit or credit card

Office Locations & Contacts

Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Jobcentre Plus
Telephone: 0800 169 0310
Textphone: 0800 169 0314

Eligibility

You may be eligible to receive Universal Credit if:

• you’re on a low income or out of work
• you’re 18 or over (some exceptions apply if you’re 16 to 17)
• you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is)
• you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
• you live in the UK

If you’re 18 or over and in training or studying full-time
You can claim a new Universal Credit if any of the following apply:

• you live with your partner and they’re eligible for Universal Credit
• you’re responsible for a child, either as a single person or as a couple
• you’re disabled and entitled to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and have limited capability for work
• you’re in further education, are 21 or under and do not have parental support, for example you’re estranged from your parents and you’re not under local authority care

If you’re 16 or 17
You can claim a new Universal Credit if any of the following apply:

• you have limited capability for work or you have medical evidence and are waiting for a Work Capability Assessment
• you’re in charge of taking care of a severely disabled person
• you’re responsible for a child
• you’re in a couple with responsibility for at least one child and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit
• you’re pregnant and it’s 11 weeks or less before your expected week of childbirth
• you’ve had a child in the last 15 weeks
• you do not have parental support, for example you’re estranged from your parents and you’re not under local authority care

For those who are studying full-time
You can also make a claim if you’re in full-time further education and any of the following apply:

• you do not have parental support
• you have limited capacity for work and you’re entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• you’re responsible for a child
• you’re in a couple with responsibility for a child and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit

For those who are in a couple and one is of State Pension age
You and your partner may apply for Universal Credit as a couple if one of you is under State Pension age and eligible for Universal Credit.

Your Universal Credit claim will stop after you and your partner has reached the State Pension age. When this happens, you and your partner, as couple, may be able to apply for Pension Credit or other benefits. Talk to your Jobcentre Plus work coach and ask what other benefit you are eligible for.

Fees

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites. 	
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

The sooner you apply for the credit the sooner you will get your first payment. So, if you have any question about Universal Credit don't hesitate to ask, contact information are provided under 'Office Locations & Contacts' section. Also, you may also apply for an advance in case you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs while you are waiting for your first Universal Credit payment. This is also applied online so all you need to do is log in to your account.

Required Information

• Your bank, building society or credit union account details (call the Universal Credit helpline if you do not have one)
• Your email address
• Information about your housing, for example how much rent you pay
• Details of your income, for example payslips
• Details of savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out
• Details of how much you pay for childcare if you’re applying for help with childcare costs

Need for the Document

The Universal Credit payment is made up of a standard allowance and any additional amounts depending on your situation, like:

• if you have children
• if you have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working
• if you need help paying your rent

Monthly standard allowance:

• Single and under 25: £342.72
• Single and 25 or over: £409.89
• In a couple and you’re both under 25: £488.59 (for you both)
• In a couple and either of you are 25 or over: £594.04 (for you both)

If you have children - Extra monthly amount:

• For your first child:
  • £281.25 (born before 6 April 2017)
  • £235.83 (born on or after 6 April 2017)
• For your second child and any other eligible children: £235.83 per child
• If you have a disabled or severely disabled child: £128.25 or £400.29
• If you need help with childcare costs: up to 85% of your costs (up to £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for 2 or more children)

If you have a disability or health condition - Extra monthly amount

• If you have limited capability for work and work-related activity : £341.92
• If you have limited capability for work and you started your health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017: £128.25

Housing costs
You may also receive money to help pay for your housing costs. The amount of which will depend on your age and circumstances. The payment can be used to pay for rent and some service charges. Homeowners might be able to get a loan to help with interest payments on mortgage or other loans taken out for the home.

Universal Credit is paid once a month, usually deposit to your bank, building society or credit union account.

Information which might help

The Universal Credit is a financial aid given by the government to help it's citizens with living costs. It is paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland.

You may be eligible to receive Universal Credit if belong to the low income category, out of work or you cannot work.

Universal Credit is replacing these following benefits:

• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Working Tax Credit

If you currently receiving any of these benefits, you do not need to do or apply for anything unless:

• you have a change of circumstances you need to report
• the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reaches out to you about moving to Universal Credit

Note: If you get tax credits, they will stop when you or your partner applies for Universal Credit.

You may NOT claim Universal Credit if you either:

• received the severe disability premium, or are entitled to it
• got or were entitled to the severe disability premium in the last month, and you’re still eligible for it

If you have a change of circumstances that affects the severe disability premium or your other benefits, report it and you’ll be told what to do next.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

UK Government Services Website

Others

More information which might help people.