Help with Universal Credit

This will depend on the income and circumstances of all the household members. ​

Your standard allowance will depend on your age and whether you are single or claiming as a couple. There is one standard allowance for your household. To get an estimate of what you may be entitled to when you claim Universal Credit, you can use the Turn2Us benefits calculator.​

Find out more about Universal Credit payments.

Universal Credit is a single payment made monthly. If you live in Scotland, you can choose to have it paid twice a month.

Once you have applied for Universal Credit, there is an assessment period. You can find more information on when you are paid on the Government website.

After the first payment, you’ll be paid on the same date of every month. If your payment date is on a weekend, or Bank Holiday, you’ll be paid on the last working day before. You’ll also get a monthly benefits statement that tells you how much you will receive.

If you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment, you can apply to get an advance. The most you can get as an advance is the amount of your first estimated payment.

Apply for an advance payment in your Universal Credit account.

Universal Credit will be paid into your bank account or other nominated account.

For most people, your Universal Credit payment will include money for your rent and it is up to you to make sure you pay that rent to your landlord. If you are worried you might struggle to do this, you can ask for the money to be paid direct to your landlord instead.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can pay more frequently or split the payment in exceptional circumstances.

If you live in Scotland, you can ask for your Universal Credit to be paid twice monthly.

If your benefit payment has been paid into your account and you are unable to access it, get in touch with your bank as they may still be able to help.

Your payment will be made to you on the same day of every month. If you want to change the date that you are paid, view your benefits statement or update your circumstances, you will need to log into your Universal Credit account.

There may be other benefits that you may be entitled to claim. You can use the Turn2Us benefits calculator to see what you may be eligible for.

Advice and tools are available on our Money worries page to help you manage your money. You can also use the MoneyHelper budget planner.