If you haven’t already, you should check you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

If you’re already on benefits, you should check if you need to move on to Universal Credit. You might need to move if:

• your situation changes – for example if you separate from your partner or move to a different council area
• you get a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) telling you to claim Universal Credit by a certain date

How to apply for Universal Credit

You’ll usually have to apply for Universal Credit online. The first thing you need to do is set up an online account – you’ll use this to apply and manage your claim. You might be able to apply by phone in special circumstances. Find out more about starting your claim and setting up an online account.

Then you’ll need to complete 4 more steps before you can get Universal Credit. You’ll need to:  

1. answer questions about your situation – this is called your ‘to-do list’

2. confirm your identity – you can do this online or in person

3. book an appointment with your work coach – you’ll meet them regularly as part of your Universal Credit claim

4. speak to your work coach at the Jobcentre or on the phone – they’ll check your details and agree what tasks you’ll do regularly to get Universal Credit

Make sure you complete all of these steps – you’ll need to do them all before you can get your Universal Credit payment.

Before you complete your ‘to-do list’

In your account, you’ll be asked questions about your situation, any income you get and your housing costs. This is so the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) can decide how much Universal Credit you should get.

It’s best to gather any details or documents about these things in advance – this will make it faster to answer all the questions.

Gather details of your:

• rent and housing situation – it’s best to have your rental agreement with you, if you have one

• income and savings

• childcare provider, if you have one – for example, their registration number and contact details

• bank account  – like your sort code, the last 4 digits of your account number and how much money is in each account

If you don’t have a bank account

If you’re making a claim with a partner, only one of you needs a bank account.

If you don’t have a partner with a bank account, you can use a friend or family member’s bank account for your first payment. You’ll need to get their permission first.

You’ll need to get your own bank account before your second payment. When you have a bank account, you can update your bank details in your online Universal Credit account.

If you can’t use someone else’s account, you’ll need to open one before you can claim Universal Credit. You have to give details of a bank, building society or credit union account before you can submit your claim.

Find out more about getting a bank account.

You can also read about picking the right kind of bank account on the Money Advice Service website.

If you’ve tried to open an account and your application was refused, you’ll need to use the Payment Exception Service. You’ll need to explain why you can’t open a bank account. Find out how it works on GOV.UK.

Completing your ‘to-do list’

You can log into your Universal Credit account on GOV.UK.

When you log in, you’ll see a ‘to-do list’ with different questions you need to answer. You’ll need to answer them all before you can submit your claim.

It’s best to finish your to-do list as soon as you can – if you don’t, it might delay your first Universal Credit payment. You don’t have to complete the whole application in one sitting. 

You’ll be signed out of your account if you don’t do anything for 30 minutes. The account will remember any details you’ve saved so far – it might not remember any details you haven’t submitted or saved yet.  

If you’re making a claim with your partner, you might not be able to answer some of the questions until your accounts are linked. Find out more about making a joint claim.

Answering questions on your situation

You’ll have different sections in your to-do list with questions on your:

• nationality

• housing situation and who lives with you

• work situation

• income and any savings you have

• education and training

• health

• children and anyone you care for

• bank account

Make sure all the names and numbers are correct. When you enter details about any money you pay, you’ll need to write down how many pennies you paid – for example if your rent is £750, write down ‘£750.00’.

If you’re not sure of something, check any documents or emails you have.

Once you’ve completed all the questions in a section, you can’t edit your answers until you’ve finished all of the other sections

If you put in the wrong details, you might be paid the wrong amount or there might be a delay to your payment. If you’re paid too much, you’ll have to pay it back.

After you complete your ‘to-do list’

You’ll need to agree that all the information you’ve given is correct – you’ll need to tick ‘yes’ for each different section. This is all part of your ‘declaration’. If you tick ‘no’, you’ll be able to update the information before you submit your claim.

Check through what you’ve written and make sure all the details are correct.

If your situation changes, you should update the information on your account as soon as you can. Your Universal Credit might be stopped or reduced if your details aren’t correct.

You might need to answer extra questions after you’ve submitted your claim – depending on your situation. For example if you have a health condition and you haven’t got a fit note from your doctor yet, you’ll need to put in the details once you have it.  

Confirming your identity

You’ll need to confirm who you are using the government’s online system.

You can only use it if you have certain kinds of identification – like a UK passport or a valid UK driving licence or provisional licence.

If it doesn’t work, you can confirm your identity in person at the Jobcentre or on the phone. Find out more about confirming your identity at an appointment.

Next steps

You still need to complete a few more steps before you’ve finished your claim.

You need to:

1. book your appointment with your work coach
2. complete any new tasks in your ‘to-do list’ – you’ll need to do these before you go the Jobcentre
3. go to your interview at the Jobcentre

When you’ve finished your application, you need to have an interview with your work coach – either at the Jobcentre or over the phone. You’ll need to gather evidence and answer a few questions at your interview, so it’s best to prepare. Find out more about preparing for your Universal Credit interview.

If you need help with your Universal Credit application.

Other benefits and money you can get

It will usually take 5 weeks to get your first Universal Credit payment, but you can ask to have some money paid sooner. Find out more about advance payments of Universal Credit.

If you pay Council Tax, you might be able to get help with it – check if you can get Council Tax Reduction. Most people who get Universal Credit can claim this too.

You might also be able to get money from other benefits too – for example, if you’re a carer or have a long-term health condition. 

You can use the free Turn2us or Entitledto benefit calculators to check which benefits you can get. You’ll need to be a British or Irish citizen to use the calculator.