Help to find work on Universal Credit
You can get help to prepare for work, look for work or increase your earnings when you get Universal Credit; a payment you’ll get if you’re on a low income or out of work. It’s based on your earnings, not hours worked and offers more flexibility to increase your hours.
Finding work and your Universal Credit commitment
Universal Credit helps to make sure you are better off in work.
To get Universal Credit you need to agree your commitment in your online account.
You need to record all your work search activities in the journal section of your Universal Credit account. This helps you and your work coach keep track of your progress.
For example, let your work coach know if you have:
- completed training
- applied for jobs and what the outcome was
Your Universal Credit commitment will tell you if you need to look for work and what you need to do. Contact your work coach using your online account if you are not sure.
JobApplyNI has a wide range of job opportunities and job fairs. It includes links to other job sites, work support and training to improve your skills.
You can find other work related events at: Job Fairs and Events calendar.
Work related support from your work coach
Your work coach will help you consider the steps you could take to prepare for and look for work. At your initial work focused interview, you will discuss your commitment which includes the requirement to take part in interviews.
You must keep in contact with your work coach, through your Universal Credit journal, to keep them informed of your situation.
Your work coach will offer help and information on how to apply for jobs including creating a CV, filling in job application forms or preparing for interviews.
Go to your Universal Credit online account to contact your work coach.
You can find more information on help from your local Jobs and Benefits office to prepare for and look for work and if you need more support you can get extra help starting or staying in work.
There are also Universal Credit video guides on preparing for and looking for work.
If your qualifications are not from the UK
A free qualifications service is available to check your qualifications to see if they match the corresponding UK qualifications. You will need to have a copy of your qualification certificates or details.
Help from the Careers Service to get work
As well as the Universal Credit support, the Careers Service has a careers information and guidance service to support people into, and during their work.
They have a broad range of information to help you look for work including finding and applying for jobs, returning to work, careers support and training programmes.
The Careers Service also has detailed information on Jobs and skills, including redundancy and extra help starting, or staying in work. They also offer information on financial support to help you start or stay in work.
If you’ve been made redundant while getting Universal Credit
If you have been made redundant from your job, information on support and benefits is available at redundancy and looking for work.
You can also find information on the Redundancy Service and your local Jobs and Benefits Office can further provide support and information.
If you start a new job while getting Universal Credit
If you start a new job, you need to tell Universal Credit as soon as possible.
Go to your online account and report the change.
You can also leave a journal message for your work coach if you need to cancel an appointment because of your new job.
You do not need to do anything else. Do not close your claim. You might still be eligible for payments from Universal Credit.
Help and support
If you would like independent help and advice on Universal Credit, you can visit any independent advice office or contact: