How To Sign Up For Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly – or twice a month for some people in Scotland. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. In some circumstances you can claim if you are 16 or 17, in full-time training or a full-time student.

In this post, you will learn how to sign up for Universal Credit online, you can apply for Universal Credit online for sure that is why we made today’s post, this post will help you to know almost everything about Universal Credit from what it is, how to apply to how to manage your account online.

If you live in Northern Ireland, go to Universal Credit in Northern Ireland. However, you can Sign in to your Universal Credit account if you already have one.

Who is Eligible To Sign Up For Universal Credit?

You may be able to get Universal Credit if:

you’re on a low income or out of work
you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is)
you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
you live in the UK

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family usually also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Universal Credit. The deadline to apply to the scheme was 30 June 2021 for most people, but you might still be able to apply.

The number of children you have does not affect your eligibility for Universal Credit, but it may affect how much you get.

If you live with your partner, your partner’s income and savings will be taken into account, even if they are not eligible for Universal Credit.

If you’re 18 or over and in training or studying full-time, you can make a new claim for Universal Credit if any of the following apply:

You live with your partner and they’re eligible for Universal Credit
You’re responsible for a child, either as a single person or as a couple
You’re in further education, are 21 or under and do not have parental support, for example you’re estranged from Your parents and you’re not under local authority care

If you’re moving from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), you can make a new claim for Universal Credit if you’re in full-time education and all of the following apply:

You’re entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
You’ve already been assessed as having limited capability for work
You make a new claim before your ESA ends or as soon as you’re notified that your ESA claim has ended

If you’re 16 or 17, you can make a new claim for Universal Credit if any of the following apply:

You have medical evidence and are waiting for a Work Capability Assessment
You’re caring for a severely disabled person
You’re responsible for a child
You’re in a couple with responsibility for at least one child and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit
You’re pregnant and it’s 11 weeks or less before your expected week of childbirth
You’ve had a child in the last 15 weeks
You do not have parental support, for example you’re estranged from your parents and you’re not under local authority care

If you’re studying full-time, you can also make a claim if you’re in full-time further education and any of the following apply:

You do not have parental support and you’re not under local authority care
You have limited capability for work and you’re entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
You’re responsible for a child
You’re in a couple with responsibility for a child and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit

If you’re in a couple and one of you is State Pension age, you and your partner can claim Universal Credit as a couple if one of you is under State Pension age and eligible for Universal Credit.

When you both reach State Pension age your Universal Credit claim will stop.

You may be able to apply for Pension Credit or other benefits as a couple when your Universal Credit stops. Ask your Jobcentre Plus work coach what else you could be eligible for.

If you already get other benefits

Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits:

Child Tax Credit
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Working Tax Credit

If you currently get any of these benefits, you do not need to do anything unless:

You have a change of circumstances you need to report
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) contacts you about moving to Universal Credit

If you get tax credits, they will stop when you or your partner applies for Universal Credit. Check how tax credits and Universal Credit affect each other here.

What Do I Need To Sign Up For Universal Credit?

You’ll need:

Your bank, building society or credit union account details (call the Universal Credit helpline if you do not have one)
an email address
Information about your housing, for example how much rent you pay
Details of your income, for example payslips
Details of savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out
Details of how much you pay for childcare if you’re applying for help with childcare costs

If you do not provide the right information when you apply it might affect when you get paid or how much you get.

You also have to verify your identity online. You’ll need some proof of identity for this, for example your:

Driving license
Passport
Debit or credit card

But What Will I Get If I Get Approved For Universal Credit?

What you’ll get

Your Universal Credit payment is made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that apply to you, for example if you:

Have children
Have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working
Need help paying your rent

However, you can use a benefits calculator to see how much you could get. How much Universal Credit you get will depend on your earnings.

Your circumstances are assessed every month. Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for the whole assessment period – not just from the date you report them.

The benefit cap may limit the total amount of benefit you receive.

How To Sign Up For Universal Credit Online

You have to sign up for Universal as a couple if you and your partner live together. You do not need to be married. The Universal Credit team might phone you after you’ve sent your application if they need more information or if you cannot verify your identity online.

You cannot claim Universal Credit and tax credits at the same time. If you get tax credits, they will stop when you or your partner applies for Universal Credit.

To Sign Up For Universal Credit online please go to https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/register/account#

To proceed with the Universal Credit sign process you have to create a username, Create password, Re-type your password, choose a Security question and answer. After that click on continue to proceed.

If you cannot verify your identity online then the Universal Credit team will phone you to help you verify your identity. then after you apply, The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will make an appointment to talk to you, either over the phone or face-to-face.

Do You Need Help Signing Up For Universal Credit?

If you need help with your application, ask straight away – the sooner you apply for Universal Credit, the sooner you get your first payment.

There are 2 ways to get help with your Universal Credit application.

Universal Credit helpline

Contact the Universal Credit helpline if:

You cannot use digital services at all – this might be because of disability or your circumstances
You have a question about your claim and cannot access your online claim

Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

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