Making a claim for universal credit

A claim can be made by a single individual or jointly by a couple. [1] Claimants apply online. A claimant who needs support completing the online claim form can ask for face-to-face help from their Jobcentre plus office. There is also a telephone helpline for people who are not able to claim online. The telephone number is 0800 328 5644. The helpline is free from landlines and most mobile networks.

From 6 April 2017 until 31 January 2019 (the 'interim period'), a person who is responsible for more than two children cannot claim universal credit even in a full (digital) service area unless they are in a transitionally protected group. See the pages about Migration and transitional protection for more information about this. For the interim period they must claim legacy benefits. See the Gov uk website pages support for a maximum of 2 children. [2]

The DWP may decide to investigate a claim for universal credit where it suspects that a benefit offence may be, or has been committed. The DWP has wide powers to require information from sources including landlords, employers, banks, childcare providers and credit reference agencies. [3] Where it is believed that a person has committed fraud, DWP may offer the option of paying a financial penalty rather than facing prosecution. [4] If s/he agrees to repay, then the amount can be recovered from benefits in the same way as an overpayment (see 'Deductions for debt to DWP' in 'Deductions to repay debt'). An applicant who is prosecuted or accepts a financial penalty in respect of fraud may also face sanctions to future benefits. [5]

A fixed civil penalty may be applied in some cases where a claimant has not acted fraudulently, but an overpayment has resulted because s/he has negligently given incorrect information to the DWP or has not given information requested or reported a change in circumstances without reasonable excuse. [6] The penalty will be added to, and recovered along with and by the same means as, the overpayment (see 'Deductions for debt to DWP' in 'Deductions to repay debt').

There is a right of appeal against the imposition of a civil penalty. [7]

Where an applicant is currently receiving housing benefit and makes a successful claim for universal credit (until migration of existing claims this is likely to be because of a change of circumstances), s/he will continue to receive housing benefit for two weeks after s/he becomes entitled to universal credit. See also: How long an award lasts.

From 11 April 2018, the housing costs element of universal credit will not be available to claimants making new claims whilst living in temporary accommodation for their housing costs. Affected claimants will be able to claim housing benefit for support with their temporary accommodation housing costs while receiving the personal element of universal credit, in the same manner that exists with specified accommodation. [8]

Universal credit claimants who already receive the housing costs element of universal credit for temporary accommodation housing costs will continue to do so until there is any change to the amount of the rent they pay for their temporary accommodation (a change in rent is a change to the total cost the local authority charge to the claimant). At this point, the housing costs element of universal credit will cease, and the claimant will be required to claim housing benefit for ongoing support with housing costs.

However, if the claimant is:

• living in specified or temporary accommodation, and

• in receipt of legacy benefits including housing benefit, and

• their new address is not specified or temporary accommodation, and

• their entitlement to housing benefit ends;

Then if they migrate to universal credit a Transition to UC Housing Payment can be paid.

See housing benefit circular HB A2/2018 for more details.

The Department for Work & Pensions has announced temporary arrangements aimed at supporting benefit claimants impacted by coronavirus. Among other measures, it has been announced that:

• those affected by Covid-19 will be able to apply for Universal Credit and can receive up to a month’s advance upfront without having to attend a Jobcentre in person, and

• until 31 July 2021, the minimum income floor will not apply to self-employed UC claimants. UC payments will be calculated based on monthly earnings instead

The minimum income floor was re-introduced after 31 July 2021. Self-employed claimants should be given a month's notice where the minimum income floor is being applied. [9]