Universal Credit - How to Claim - Getting ready to claim
This guide will walk you though making a Universal Credit claim.
- Last reviewed 12 June 2025
Getting ready to claim
Claiming Universal Credit can seem intimidating but getting everything you need ready to make your claim can make things go a lot more smoothly.
There are a few things you will need to sort out in preparation for making a claim.
If you are in work or have just finished working, it might be a good idea to think carefully about timing the start of your claim. You can read information about why this is important on our page ‘When to start your claim for Universal Credit'
Other benefits and Universal Credit
When you apply for Universal Credit, some of your other benefits might stop.
If you get Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you will still get 2 more weeks of those payments after you apply for Universal Credit.
If you get Council Tax Support, you might need to apply for it again.
Other benefits you get will keep being paid as usual.
What you will need to claim
If you don’t have a bank account you will need to open one.
If you have a bad credit rating and have been refused bank accounts you could ask to open a basic bank account or see if you can open an account with a credit union.
You will need to give the number of a mobile phone that you can get text messages on.
You will need to prove your identity. You can provide your:
- Driving licence
- Passport
- Debit or credit card
- Payslip or P60
You will need to give an address. If you are homeless it is fine to use a care of address, but make sure it is somewhere you will be able to get post.
If you don’t have a care of address, you could ask to use your local JobCentre.
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