Help with claiming Universal Credit

Universal Credit is now available everywhere in Great Britain. You can claim if you are below Pension Credit age and you need to claim benefits for the first time or you have a change in circumstances that means your existing benefits cannot continue. Please speak to us if you are struggling to set up Universal Credit (UC) or want support in claiming other benefits you may be entitled to.

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit (UC) is a new benefit that replaces the following six benefits:

  • Job Seekers Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit

Universal Credit (UC) is paid directly to the person claiming the benefit and includes housing costs. It is normally paid monthly in arrears. If you receive UC, you will normally be responsible for paying your own rent. Find out more about UC on the GOV.UK website.

Applying for Universal Credit for the first time? We’ve got just the tool to help:

Applying for UC for the first time can seem overwhelming. Our free UC Helper is designed to help and support you. The UC Helper explains step by step how to create an online UC account, how to make a claim and how to verify your identity. It even explains what to expect when attending an interview.

There’s a checklist to track your progress, plus tips for each stage. It’s mobile-friendly, although it works just as well on a laptop or desktop PC.