Apply for universal credit (UC) as soon as you need it.

You do not get your first monthly payment for at least 5 weeks.

Your claim could be backdated for up to 1 month if you have a good reason for not claiming earlier. For example, if you had a sudden or serious illness.

If you lose your job

Apply the day after you get your final wages.

If you apply before this, your wages count as income. This means your first UC payment could be smaller.

You can apply straight away if you're waiting for a redundancy payment rather than wages. Redundancy pay should only affect your UC if your total savings will be more than £6,000.

How to apply

You usually apply for universal credit on GOV.UK.

Most people have to go to a jobcentre appointment to complete your claim.

You usually have 1 month from when you apply to:

• confirm your identity

• go to your jobcentre appointment

• share your supporting information

Get everything together before you start

You need to have:

• your bank details

• how much your rent or mortgage is

• evidence of your income and savings such as bank statements

• household information, such as who lives with you and your childcare costs

• your national insurance number

Find your national insurance number on GOV.UK.

Set up your online account

You need:

• an email address

• a phone number

Set up a username, password and 2 security questions.

Keep this information safe. You need them to log in to your account.

If you forget your user name or password, they can be sent to your email.

Do not share this information with other people. It puts you at risk of identity fraud.

If you claim as a couple

You need to set up separate UC accounts.

One of you should set up your account first and start a joint claim.

You get a code which links the claims. Give the code to your partner so they can set up their account.

You can claim separately if you're separated but still living at the same address. Your accounts will not be linked.

Claim through your online account

You can make your claim for UC when you've set up your account.

Complete the 'to do' list in your account. It has sections on your:

• health

• housing situation

• work, income and savings

• childcare costs

If it's a joint claim you might not be able to complete everything until your account is linked to your partner's account.

See Citizens Advice: Completing your 'to do' list.

Confirm your identity

You can do this from your 'to do' list if you have a UK passport or driving licence.

Do not worry if you cannot do this. You can confirm your identity over the phone or at a jobcentre appointment.

If you do not have photo ID

You can use other documents. For example your:

• birth or marriage certificate

• tenancy agreement

• NHS medical card

• bank statements

• debit card

If you do not have any ID, you could show who you are by answering security questions over the phone. You could also get someone else to confirm your identity.

Book your jobcentre appointment

Check your 'to do' list. There is a section that says prepare for your appointment.

This lets you choose which documents to bring. For example:

• bank statements

• recent payslips or your P45

• evidence of childcare costs

• children's birth certificates and child benefit numbers

• proof of rent such as your tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord

You need to show ID if you have not done this online.

Do not worry if you do not have all the documents. You have 1 month to provide them.

Go to your jobcentre appointment

Your appointment is with your work coach who will:

• discuss your situation with you

• check your supporting information and ID

See Citizens Advice: Going to your universal credit interview.

Working and looking for work

You need to agree to a 'claimant commitment'. This sets out what you must do to get your full UC payment each month.

Many people have to work or look for work.

You might not have to look for full time work.

Tell your work coach if anything makes it hard for you to work full time.

For example:

• childcare or caring

• a disability or health condition

• homelessness or domestic abuse

More about universal credit and working.

Disability and health conditions

Tell your work coach if you have a disability or health condition that means you cannot work or look for work. They should send you a capability for work questionnaire (UC50 form).

Complete the form and post it back within 4 weeks.

You might have to go to a 'work capability assessment'. This is meeting where the DWP checks whether they think you can work. This is usually within 3 months.