Universal Credit (UC) - What activities will I have to do when claiming Universal Credit (UC)?
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people of working-age who are on a low income.
- Last reviewed 25 February 2026
What is a claimant commitment?
Generally, you will be expected to do certain things in order to receive Universal Credit. This is called your ‘claimant commitment’.
What you are expected to do will depend on your circumstances, such as your health, your caring responsibilities and whether or not you are working at the moment.
If you are claiming Universal Credit as a couple, you will each have your own claimant commitment based on your own circumstances.
If you fail to meet your claimant commitment, you might be sanctioned.
Read more about claimant commitments in our Managing your Universal Credit claim guide.
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