What to do after you have claimed Universal Credit

First steps after you’ve claimed Universal Credit

Universal Credit will check your claim and will contact you if you need to give any more information. You will be contacted in the first few weeks after you make your claim, even if you were not able to verify your identity.

If you need to make an appointment, you will get a journal message in your online account.

Don’t miss any messages - you should check your journal and your to-do list regularly after you make your claim. 

You will be given a case manager who will help you to manage your claim. You may also have a work coach to support you into work or increase your earnings. 

You should use your online account to report any changes. Do not make a new claim to report changes as this can delay your payment.

To make sure there are no delays in assessing your claim, there are some things you need to do as soon as possible. 

Confirm your identity online

When you claim Universal Credit you will be asked to verify (prove) your identity through your Universal Credit online account 

To verify your identity online you will need two of the following:

• valid UK passport
• recent self-assessment returns
• credit card or phone contract records

Confirm your identity by phone or in person

If you can't verify your identity online, you may go to a phone biographical interview. There you will be asked a series of unique personalised questions. 

You can also verify your identity at your local Jobs & Benefits office.

Call the Universal Credit Service Centre to make an appointment.

If you can't use the telephone or internet, you can arrange an urgent appointment in your local Jobs & Benefits office. To arrange an appointment, contact the Universal Credit Service Centre.

You should tell them when booking your appointment if you need interpreting support.

If you are asked to go to an appointment, you must turn up as your payments may be stopped or reduced if you do not go.

You will be told what documents you need to bring to confirm your identity (ID). You will need one photo ID, one proof of address and one further proof of identity as evidence to support your Universal Credit claim.

If you do not have any of the documents, there are other ways to send evidence to support your Universal Credit claim. 

To get Universal Credit you will need to agree your commitment in your online account.  Your commitment sets out what you need to do to prepare for work, look for work or increase your earnings.

Find out more at Agree your Universal Credit Commitment 

Information needed in the first month of your claim

In the first month of your claim you need to give:

• your childcare costs and childcare provider
• a fit note from your doctor, if you are ill
• your rent, if you rent from a private landlord
  • if you rent from a social landlord, for example Northern Ireland Health Executive (NIHE) or a housing association, Universal Credit will get these details directly from them

You will get a message in your online account if any more information is needed.

Uploading documents to your Universal Credit account

Watch the Universal Credit Guide for help on how to upload documents.

Watch this video guide with British sign language
Watch this video guide with Irish sign language

Report changes in your circumstances

You need to tell Universal Credit about any changes in your circumstances, or your payments may stop or be reduced.  

You need to report changes like:

• name
• address
• bank account 

For more examples and how to report them, see changes you need to report.

Help until you get your Universal Credit payment

You can get help if you do not have enough money to live on while you’re waiting on your first payment. Contact the Universal Credit Service Centre in your Universal Credit online account. 

You can also speak to your work coach at your local Jobs & Benefits office.

For more information on the sources of help available see: Help while waiting for a Universal Credit payment.

Help with health costs

You may be able to get help with dental, optical and travel costs if you get Universal Credit. 

More information on help with Health Costs

Help with childcare costs

If paying upfront for registered childcare is preventing you from starting work, help may be available.

Get more information on how to claim upfront childcare costs from the Adviser Discretion Fund.  

You can also get help from your local Jobs and Benefits office or speak with your work coach.

More information on support is available from Employers for Childcare.