There is one basic allowance for your household: Single claimant aged under 25: £292.11 per month. Single claimant aged 25 or over: £368.74 per month. Joint claimants both aged under 25: £458.51 per month. Joint claimants both aged 25 and over: £578.82.

You may get extra amounts on top of the standard allowance if you:

• have children
• have childcare costs (if you are working)
• have a child that is disabled
• have a disability or health condition
• care for someone who gets a health or disability-related benefit
• have housing costs

If you’re getting any of these benefits or tax credits above, you do not need to do anything unless:

• you have a change of circumstances you need to report
• you get a letter called a ‘Migration Notice’ telling you that you must start to claim Universal Credit. You will have 3 months to claim Universal Credit from the date of your Migration Notice letter.

Ensure you have verified your identify in readiness via Verify.Gov.uk. The registration process is secure, quick and easy to use and usually takes about 10 minutes.

You can apply for Universal Credit online.

You need to create an account. You use it to make a claim. You must complete your claim within 28 days of creating your account or you will have to start again.

If you live with your partner, you will both need to create accounts. You’ll link them together when you claim. You cannot claim by yourself.

To apply online you’ll need:

• your bank, building society or credit union account details
• an email address
• access to a phone

If you do not have these, you can call the Universal Credit helpline or go to a jobcentre. You can also get support from the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service.

You’ll also have to prove your identity. You’ll need some identity documents for this, for example your:

• driving licence
• passport
• debit or credit card
• payslip or P60

To complete your claim you will need to provide information about:

• your housing, for example how much rent you pay
• your earnings, for example payslips
• any disability or health condition that affects your work
• how much you pay for childcare if you want help with childcare costs
• your savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out

You might need an appointment with the Universal Credit team if:

• they need more information
• you cannot verify your identity online

You will have to go to a meeting to agree the activities in your claimant commitment before you can get your first payment.

If you cannot claim online, you can claim by phone through the Universal Credit helpline, tel 0800 328 5644, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Different Earning Patterns and your payments
This guide explains how different earning patterns affect Universal Credit payments.
It includes information on how your Universal Credit payments could be affected if your earnings are not paid each calendar month – and what you may need to do.

Universal Credit Guide
Information about how Universal Credit is paid and the support it provides for people who are on a low income or out of work.