How do you claim Universal Credit?

Claims for Universal Credit are made online, and claimants must have the following information to make a claim:

• proof of identify such as driving licence, passport or debit or credit card;

• bank, building society or credit union account details;

• an email address;

• information about housing, such as the amount of rent;

• details of income, such as pay slips;

• details of savings and any investments, such as shares or a property that is rented out;

• details of childcare costs if the claim includes these.

After making an application, claimants must ordinarily contact their local jobcentre within seven days to make an appointment with a work coach. However, face-to-face assessments were suspended for at least three months on 19 March 2020 because of the coronavirus outbreak, and it is not clear when they will resume.