Universal Credit (UC) - How do I claim Universal Credit (UC)?

Online

In most cases, you have to claim Universal Credit online.

You can start a claim on the Apply for Universal Credit page of the GOV.UK website

For more information about making an online claim, read our guide on how to claim Universal Credit.

Phone

If you have a reason for not being able to apply online, you may be able to claim by phone instead. You can claim by phone if, for example, you can't use a computer or you have problems reading or writing.

You can claim by either calling the Universal Credit helpline or use the Help to Claim phone services. 

Universal Credit helpline

• 0800 328 5644 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
• Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 328 5644

Help to Claim (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)

• England: 0800 144 8 444
• Relay UK (England): 18001 then 0800 144 8 444
• Scotland: 0800 023 2581
• Relay UK (Scotland): 18001 then 0800 023 2581
• Wales: 08000 241 220
• Relay UK (Wales): 18001 then 08000 241 220

Advice NI Advice Line (Northern Ireland)

• Freephone advice helpline: 0800 915 4604

Backdating

A claim for Universal Credit can be backdated for a maximum of one month if you or your partner could not have reasonably been expected to make a claim from an earlier date and one of the following circumstances apply to you: 

• You were previously in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and were not notified that your entitlement was going to end
• You have a disability 
• You were unwell and this prevented you from claiming earlier (you will need to provide medical evidence showing this) 
• You could not claim earlier due to a system failure or planned system maintenance, and have made a claim on the first day following this 
• You had a joint claim for Universal Credit which stopped due to a breakdown in a relationship and you are now claiming as a single person
• You made a joint claim for Universal Credit which was either stopped or turned down because your partner did not accept the claimant commitment and you have now ceased to be a couple and are now claiming as a single person.

Make sure to ask for backdating as soon as you can. The online claim form doesn't ask if you want backdating, but you can still say you want it. Write a message in your journal when you make your claim. 

For a practical guide to claim online, please read our guide on how to claim Universal Credit.