Managing your Universal Credit claim

Universal Credit is mainly a digitally managed benefit. This means you are responsible for checking your online UC account and reporting changes to your personal circumstances. 

Managing your Universal Credit claim  

Your online UC account will include areas where you can: 

• Communicate with your work coach through your online journal 
• Report a change in your circumstances  
• Apply for a Universal Credit (UC) Advance
• Look at your claimant commitment  
• Access your Universal Credit statements and documents 

You should make it a habit to check your Universal Credit account regularly. There are some things you will have to do while on Universal Credit to maintain your claim.  

Your claimant commitment  

When you claim Universal Credit, you must agree to a claimant commitment. This is a record of the things that you agree and are expected to do. Your claimant commitment will depend on your circumstances, such as your health, caring responsibilities and whether or not you are working. 

If your personal situation changes, it’s important that you report a change in your circumstances through your online UC account.

If your change affects your ability to work or look for work you might need to request a change to your claimant commitment. For example, if you experience changes to your childcare, this might mean you spend less time looking for employment.