If you’re on a low income, or need help with your living costs, you may be able to claim Universal Credit.

To be eligible, you must:
• Live in the UK
• Be aged 18 or over
• Be under State Pension age
• Have £16,000 or less in money, savings or investments

You can apply for Universal Credit online or, if you need help with applying, you can call the Universal Credit helpline, or use the Help to Claim service. Be aware that you will need to complete your claim within 28 days of creating an account to claim for Universal Credit, or you will have to start again.

To apply, you will need:

  • Your bank, building society or credit union account details
  • An email address
  • Access to a phone
  • Your National Insurance Number

You will also need to prove your identity – you can use the following documents:

  • Driving license
  • Passport
  • Debit or credit card
  • Payslip or P60

There will be a lot of questions on your ‘to-do’ list, and it may involve a lot of paperwork and documents, depending on your circumstances – it may be a long process, so I recommend having someone to help you.

Understanding the Work Capability Assessment

If you’re applying for Universal Credit in relation to a health/mental health condition or disability that affects your ability to work, you may need to have a Work Capability Assessment – this is how it is decided how your condition or disability affects your capability to work.

After you have completed the Work Capability Assessment, you will receive a decision letter that will inform you of which of the 3 camps you have been put into:
• Fit for work (may also be written as ‘capable for work’) – this means you will be expected to look for work that is suitable for your health condition/disability.
• Limited Capability for Work (may also be written as ‘LCW’) – this means you will work with a work coach to help you prepare for work in the future. You can also work if you feel able to.
• Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (may also be written as ‘LCWR’) – this means you will not be expected to work or prepare to work. You can also work if you feel able to.

Be aware that you may be asked to go into your nearest Job Centre for face-to-face meetings, depending on your circumstances. These may also be by phone or video call.

Note: There will be a number of changes to the Work Capability Assessment, in an effort to reduce the amount of people found to have Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity. This page will be updated when more information is released.

Disclaimer: To the best of my ability, the information found on this website is correct at the time of writing.

Page updated on: 05/09/2025