A free support scheme has been extended to help people make a claim for Universal Credit.
The Department for Work and Pensions is spending £22m to extend the Help to Claim scheme, which will continue to be delivered independently for another year by Citizens Advice. The charity has provided the Help to Claim support since its inception in 2019. This extra investment will ensure help continues to be available for people who want to make a new Universal Credit claim.
Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman, said: "Help to Claim continues to assist thousands of people every year with over 800,000 people already receiving support since its introduction. This additional investment will allow Citizens Advice to continue to provide this vital support following its extension for a further year.
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"This high quality and independent support comes in addition to the support already provided through our network of jobcentres, with our staff standing ready to assist those in need of support."
Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, added: "As the cost of living continues to put household finances under pressure, our top priority is supporting the many people coming to us for help. We’re glad to continue this important support.
"We’ve seen first-hand the difference our advisers make in helping people access Universal Credit. We’ll continue to use our frontline insights and unique data to suggest enhancements to the benefits system, further helping the people we support."
People can get advice online or by telephone. For those who are unable to access support via these channels, you will be able to contact your local Jobcentre, where staff will help to identify the right support to meet your needs. Find out more about Help to Claim and how to access support online here.
How to claim Universal Credit
You can apply for Universal Credit online. 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.
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. If you cannot claim online, you can claim by phone through the Universal Credit helpline.
Check if you’re better off on Universal Credit before you apply
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. 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.
To check if you’re better off, you can:
use a benefits calculator
ask a local benefits adviser
What you need to apply
To apply online you’ll need:
- your bank, building society or credit union account details
- an email address
- access to a phone
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.
You’ll also have to prove your identity. You’ll need some identity documents for this, for example your:
- driving licence
- passport
- debit or credit card
- payslip or P60
To complete your claim you will need to provide information about:
- your housing, for example how much rent you pay
- your earnings, for example payslips
- any disability or health condition that affects your work
- how much you pay for childcare if you want help with childcare costs
- your savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out
You might need an appointment with the Universal Credit team if:
- they need more information
- you cannot verify your identity online
You’ll be told if this appointment will be in a jobcentre or on the phone. You will have to go to a meeting to agree the activities in your claimant commitment before you can get your first payment. This is a record of what you agree to do, e.g. prepare for and look for work, or increase your earnings, if you are already working.
Where to apply
You can apply for Universal Credit online here. If you need help, you can get free support from trained advisers to make a claim. They can help you with things like online applications or preparing for your first jobcentre appointment.
Details of the Help to Claim service, provided by Citizens Advice, can be found here.
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