If you are thinking about claiming Universal Credit for the first time, we can help. Our trained advisers can guide you through the process, whether you're looking for answers to quick questions or step-by-step support to make your claim.
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a government benefit payment designed to help with living costs. It's paid monthly (or twice a month for some people in Scotland), and it can be paid to people on a low income or who are out of work.
Universal Credit replaces: Housing Benefit; income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA); Child Tax Credit; Working Tax Credit; and Income Support. There are several stages involved in claiming Universal Credit, and usually it must be claimed online.
If you receive benefits and have been sent a letter telling you to claim Universal Credit, our Advisers can help you with this process.
How we can help
Claiming Universal Credit can involve several stages, and we're here to make them easier for you. We can help with:
- Quick questions - answering queries as you make your own claim
- Support to submit your claim - such as advice on how to set up email and bank accounts if needed, and working through claim ‘to-dos’
- Support to first payment - helping you apply for additional financial support and prepare for work coach appointments
- Evidence checking - making sure all your claim evidence is correct
Get in touch
You can contact our Help to Claim advisers via telephone, webchat and we also offer video calls.
- Telephone: Our Help to Claim helpline number is: 0800 023 2581. Please note, our helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm. Calls to this number are free.
- If you would like to request a call back from one of our trained advisers, please fill out this form with your name, contact number as well as preferred time, and we will phone you within 2 working days. Please note, the call may come from an 0800 or withheld number.
Phone: 0800 0232581 Request Callback
- Webchat: You can also contact us on webchat via the chat box below when an adviser is available.
- Self-Help Site: You can find more information on claiming Universal Credit at our self-help site here, or by clicking the button below.