How to claim Universal Credit if you are homeless

You can get help to claim Universal Credit if you are homeless or at risk of losing your home. It is important you are open about your situation to get the support you need to make a claim to Universal Credit.

If you do not have a permanent address

If you do not have a permanent address, you are sleeping rough or sofa surfing you can use a care of address when you apply for Universal Credit.

This can be the address of:

your local Jobs & Benefits office
the hostel you are staying in, or last stayed at
a day centre

a friend or family member you trust

You need to claim Universal Credit online. Learn how you can get help with your Universal Credit claim if you need more support.

Your local Jobs & Benefits office works with homeless support organisations who will be able to tell you what local support is available.

What you need to apply

To apply for Universal Credit, you will need to provide your:

proof of identity
bank details
National insurance number

Learn more on how you make a claim for Universal Credit.

Tell Universal Credit about your situation

You may find it difficult to talk about the challenges you are facing, such as addiction or poor mental health.

Your work coach can help you and tell you about local organisations that can offer more support.

Your claimant commitment

You should also tell your work coach if you are struggling with the tasks in your claimant commitment.

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness your work coach may be able to:

reduce the amount of time each week that you should be looking for work
change the type of activities you are expected to do

This temporary change is to give you time to look for somewhere to live.

You can get help with housing if you are homeless or at risk of losing your home by contacting The Housing Executive.

More information is available at Homelessness.

If you get other benefits

Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits:

Housing Benefit, unless you’re in supported or temporary accommodation like a homeless hostel – learn more about Housing Benefit in this situation at Universal Credit payments for housing
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

If you are receiving one of these, you will get a Migration Notice letter. This will be sent to your care of address and explains what you need to know to move to Universal Credit.

What to do if you get a Migration Notice letter

If you get a Migration Notice letter, you must move to Universal Credit by the deadline date in your letter to keep getting financial support.

You will not be moved automatically. You need to make a claim.

If you’re homeless and have not received a letter, or if you need help making a claim:

phone the Universal Credit Service Centre
visit your local Jobs & Benefits office

Find out more about how to move to Universal Credit if you receive a Migration Notice letter.

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