How often is Universal Credit paid and how do I claim if there is a problem?
UNIVERSAL Credit is the government's simplified welfare system designed to replace six old benefit payments including child tax credit and income support.
Since its introduction in 2011, millions of people have started receiving their Universal Credit payments, usually five weeks after applying.
The new system has been plagued by issues, particularly for people who have been rolled over from the old benefits system or claimants with childcare costs.
Here's everything you need to know about when you'll get paid and what to do if there's any problems.
When does Universal Credit get paid?
Universal Credit is paid in arrears once a month into your bank, building society or credit union account in a single payment.
The payment can include the amount for housing, which you may have to pass on to your landlord.
The amount is calculated from the day you first submit your claim.
It usually takes around five weeks to get your first payment. Payments are then made on the same date every month.
The wait before your first payment is made up of a one month assessment period and up to seven days for the payment to reach your account.
If you need help with your living costs while you wait for your first payment, you can apply for an advance.
If your payment date is on the 29th, 30th or 31st of a month and you're in month with fewer days then you will be paid on the last day of that month.
If the payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, you'll receive payment on the working day before.
What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit
IF you're experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don't cover costs, here are your options:
- Apply for an advance - Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it's a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit payout.
- Alternative Payment Arrangements - If you're falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently, or you can split the payments if you're part of a couple.
- Budgeting Advance - You may be able to get help from the Government to help with emergency household costs of up to £348 if you're single, £464 if you're part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You'll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You'll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.
- Cut your Council Tax - You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax or be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments if your existing ones aren't enough to cover your rent.
- Foodbanks - If you're really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the
Depending on your bank the money should be available some time after midnight on the day it is due.
You’ll get a monthly statement that tells you how much Universal Credit you’re going to get.
Couples who live together and both get Universal Credit get one payment each month for the household.
If you live in Scotland, you can choose to get paid once or twice a month.
Anyone making a new claim will get notification asking how often you want to be paid. You get this after your first payment.
If you're already on Universal Credit and have not had a notification, you can ask your work coach.
How much should you get?
Your standard allowance will determine how much you get on Universal Credit.
- Single claimant aged under 25: £342.72 per month
- Single claimant aged 25 or over: £409.89 per month
- Joint claimants both aged under 25: £488.59 per month
- Joint claimants either aged 25 or over: £594.04 per month
You may get additional payments depending on your circumstances. For instance if you:
- have children
- have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working
- need help paying your rent
You can use a benefits calculator to find out exactly how much you could get.
What happens if your payday moves?
If you’re paid once a month on the same date and nothing changes in your earnings, then your Universal Credit amount should stay the same.
But your Universal Credit can be affected if you receive more than one set of wages during some assessment periods.
This could happen you're paid:
- Weekly
- Every two weeks
- Every four weeks
- On the last / first day of every month
When you're paid like this, you don't have the same payment date each month, which can mess up your universal credit calculations.
For instance, someone who is paid every four weeks, will have one month a year where they have two payments.
This means that for that assessment period, your income will double and you may not be eligible for Universal Credit.
Your Universal Credit payments will stop and you will need to reapply.
This could impact your usual payment date and times.
MORE ON UNIVERSAL CREDIT
What to do if there's a problem with your payment?
You can contact Universal Credit:
- through your online account
- by calling the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 (Textphone: 0800 328 1344)
- by NGT text relay – if you cannot hear or speak on the phone: 18001 then 0800 328 5644
- in Welsh language on 0800 328 1744
All call lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
If you disagree with a decision about your Universal Credit, you can ask the government to look again through a 'mandatory reconsideration'.
You may be allowed one if:
- you think the office dealing with your claim has made an error or missed evidence
- you disagree with the reasons given
- you want to have the decision reconsidered
Some decisions cannot be looked at again, but it should say on your decision letter.
You need to ask for mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision.
The Sun wants to Make Universal Credit Work
UNIVERSAL Credit replaces six benefits with a single monthly payment.
One million people are already receiving it and by the time the system is fully rolled out in 2024, nearly 7 million will be on it.
But there are big problems with the flagship new system - it takes 5 weeks to get the first payment and it could leave some families worse off by thousands of pounds a year.
And while working families can claim back up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs, they must find the money to pay for childcare upfront - we’ve heard of families waiting up to 6 months for the money.
Working parents across the country told us they’ve been unable to take on more hours - or have even turned down better paid jobs or more hours because of the amount they get their benefits cut.
It’s time to Make Universal Credit work. We want the Government to:
- Get paid faster: The Government must slash the time Brits wait for their first Universal Credit payments from five to two weeks, helping stop 7 million from being pushed into debt.
- Keep more of what you earn: The work allowance should be increased and the taper rate should be slashed from 63p to 50p, helping at least 4 million families.
- Don’t get punished for having a family: Parents should get the 85 per cent of the money they can claim for childcare upfront instead of being paid in arrears.
Together, these changes will help Make Universal Credit Work.
Join our or email Uni[email protected] to share your story.