Applying for Universal Credit

You’ll be asked for details of:

• your address and when you moved there

• your living situation and if you rent your home - for example, from a private landlord, the council or a housing association

• how much rent you pay and any service charges - these are called ‘your housing costs’

• how many bedrooms you have - make sure this is the same as the number on your rental agreement

• who’s on the rental agreement and how much you all pay - if it’s a joint agreement

• your landlord’s address and phone number if you rent

It’s best to check your rental agreement if you’re not sure about any details. Your rental agreement might be called a 'tenancy agreement', 'licence agreement' or 'written statement of your occupation contract'. If you don’t have one, look for any documents or emails that confirm details about your rental - for example, a rent statement.

If you rent from the council or a housing association, you can also contact their customer service department. They’ll be able to tell you details of your rent and housing situation.

Your ‘housing costs’ and living situation

You’ll need to mention any ‘housing costs’ you pay - this includes any rent or ‘service charges’.

‘Service charges’ are any money you pay for maintenance work in shared spaces around your home or garden. For example if you live in a flat block with shared corridors, you might pay for someone to clean these. Check your rental agreement to find out if you pay service charges.

If you get any help with your rent, you’ll need to put down how much your total rent is - this includes any money you get to help with your rent. For example if you get £200 of Housing Benefit a month and you pay £400 rent a month, you’ll need to put down your total rent as £600.

You’ll also need to mention if you have any rent-free weeks. You might get rent-free weeks if you rent from the council or a housing association.

You’ll be asked if anyone else is named on the rental agreement. If they are, you’ll need to know how much your total rent is - this is the combined rent you pay for the home.  

Your landlord’s details

You’ll be asked for your landlord’s details. If you rent from the council or a housing association, these might appear automatically.

You don’t have to put in your landlord’s email address if you put in their address and phone number.

If you’re not sure of your landlord’s details, write 'Care of' and put in your own address. You should update this as soon as possible - if you don’t update it, you could end up having to pay some money as a penalty.

The DWP might contact your landlord to confirm what you’ve told them. If you have a private landlord, the DWP will ask your permission before contacting them. 

Council tax

You’ll be asked if:

• your name is on the Council Tax bill

• you’ve applied for Council Tax Reduction

If you mention that you already get Council Tax Reduction or you’re planning to apply, the DWP can let your council know that you’re applying for Universal Credit.

You’ll still have to make the claim for Council Tax Reduction.

You’ll be asked if you have a ‘disability, illness or ongoing health condition’ that makes it difficult for you to work, or look for work. You should include both physical and mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety.

You’ll also be asked:

• when you last worked, if you don’t work anymore - ask a family member or friend if you’re not sure

• if you’ve been in hospital recently or you’re having medical treatment 

You might have to get a fit note from a healthcare professional who's treating you.

When you need a fit note

You need to provide a fit note if:

• you’re ill for more than 7 days

• you have a long-term health condition

If you can't get a fit note that confirms your condition, you’ll need to remove the condition from your Universal Credit account.

Getting a fit note

You can get a fit note from the following healthcare professionals:

• your GP or a doctor at a hospital

• a registered nurse

• a pharmacist

• an occupational therapist

• a physiotherapist

Your fit note will be either printed or digital. If you’re not sure which kind you’ll get and how you’ll get it, check with the healthcare professional.

If you get a printed fit note, check that the healthcare professional has signed it.

If you get a digital fit note, check that it includes the healthcare professional’s name.

If the healthcare professional hasn't either signed your fit note or included their name, it could be rejected by the DWP and you might have to get a new one.

Your fit note is free if you’ve been ill for more than 7 days when you ask for it. You might have to pay for it if you’ve been ill for 7 days or less.

You should always keep your fit note - you might have to pay for a replacement if you lose or delete it.

You can:

• give the DWP a copy - either printed or digital

• upload it to the ‘To do list’ section of your online account

You should also take your fit note with you when you meet your work coach for the first time. If you have a digital fit note you can show it to them on your phone or another device.

You’ll need to give DWP a copy of your fit note. You might need to upload it to your journal - ask your work coach if you’re not sure how to do this.

If you’re struggling to make an appointment with your GP or another health professional, tell your work coach when you speak to them for the first time. They might agree you don’t need to work or look for work until you've had an appointment.  

If you can’t get a fit note 

Include as much as evidence as you can in your application. You could include:

• a hospital letter

• letters from specialists 

• an occupational therapist’s care plan

• a list from your GP of any medication you’re on 

You’ll be asked if you work and if you’re self-employed. You’ll be asked extra questions about your work situation when you have your first appointment with your work coach.

Your income and earnings

Write down if you have any income. This includes money you’re getting from:

• work

• a pension

• other benefits

• an insurance plan

You do need to include any pay you get from your employer for any leave you’ve taken or are taking - for example:

• sick pay

• holiday pay

• maternity pay

Check your bank statements or contact your employer to find out how much you get.  

Your savings and investments

Your ‘capital’ will be assessed. Capital includes any savings and investments you have. You’ll be asked about any savings and investments you have - for example, any shares you have or if you own a property you don’t live in. This could also include any large one-off payments you’ve received, like redundancy pay.

If you have over £16,000 in capital, you might still be able to claim Universal Credit if you get tax credits. You’ll need to have had a letter from the DWP telling you to move to Universal Credit by a certain date. Check who’s eligible for Universal Credit.

You can claim up to 85% of your childcare costs if you:

• are working

• have worked in the last two months

• are going to start working in the next two months

You can only claim childcare costs that you’ve already paid - you won’t get any money for future costs.

Your childcare provider

You’ll need to mention details of your provider and costs. This should include:

• their address and phone number

• their registration number

• how much you paid and when

• which dates the payments cover

• which child or children this provider looks after

You’ll need to provide evidence such as receipts or invoices from your childcare provider. This evidence must say ‘paid’ and be on headed paper - this is paper that has the person or organisation’s name at the top.

You can upload evidence of how much you’ve paid into your account. This can be a photo, scan or screenshot of your paid invoice. You can also take it to your Jobcentre appointment.

If you don’t give proof then you won’t get any money towards your childcare costs.

Contact your childcare provider if you need any documents.