Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a working age, low income benefit for people both in and out of work. The main eligibility criteria are that the claimant:

• is legally resident in Northern Ireland,
• is aged 18 or over,
• is under State Pension age,
• is not in full-time education or training, and
• has no more than £16,000 in savings.

However, certain exceptions apply to each of these conditions, particularly for those people moving to UC as part of the Managed Migration process, so make enquiries with your local advice centre to find out whether you could make a claim.

Anyone living with a partner as a couple will need to make a joint claim.

More information about eligibility criteria for Universal Credit can be accessed at nidirect:

• Who can claim Universal Credit
• Universal Credit if you're employed
• Universal Credit if you're self-employed
• Universal Credit if you're unemployed
• Universal Credit if you have a health condition or disability

Universal Credit claims are usually made online, which means that you need access to a suitable digital device with access to the Internet. It is possible to make a claim by telephone, or even for the Department to arrange a home visit, but you will usually need to have a good reason.

To set up an online account, you will need to create a username and password, provide answers to two security questions, and verify either an email address or mobile phone number.

The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP, who built and maintain the UC online service) say that it takes about 20 minutes to complete a claim online. You will need to provide a variety of personal information. This includes details of your:

• housing and household (people who live with you)
• employment and earnings
• capital, savings and income (including other benefits)
• health conditions or disabilities
• caring responsibilities
• education or training
• nationality and right to reside

All claimants will need to verify their identity. This can be done online using the government’s Verify system, although in certain cases – for example, if you have an Irish passport – it will be easier to go into your local Jobs & Benefits office to do so.

People who are unable to manage their claim for themselves will need help from a representative or appointed person. Extra support is also available for people who are vulnerable, such as young people leaving care, anyone dealing with domestic violence, or those who are homeless.

You can also access interpreting services for help in other languages, and specialist assistance if you have a visual impairment or hearing difficulties. It is important to make the Department aware of your circumstances and to ask for help if you need it.

Extra support is also being provided to those people migrating from legacy benefits to UC. The Department for Communities has set up an Enhanced Support Journey, and will issue regular reminders by post, text and telephone during the 3-month notice period to remind people that they need to make a claim to UC and to check whether they need more help.

More information about making a claim for Universal Credit can be accessed at nidirect:

• How you make a claim for Universal Credit
• What to do after you have claimed Universal Credit
• Universal Credit if you're claiming other benefits or tax credits
• You want to claim Universal Credit again
• Changes you need to tell Universal Credit about
• Unable to manage your Universal Credit claim by yourself
• Universal Credit - Sharing your information with others
• Contact Universal Credit for help with your claim

Universal Credit payments are calculated over a monthly Assessment Period (AP), which runs from the date the claim is made. The amount of Universal Credit paid in each AP can vary according to your circumstances and income.

Because Universal Credit is paid in arrears, first payments are only made about five weeks after claiming. Regular payments are made twice a month, although they can be made monthly on request. Claimants can also split payments with their partner.

In Northern Ireland, housing costs will usually be paid direct to the landlord. Support with childcare costs, on the other hand, will be paid to the claimant.

Information about employed earnings will be captured automatically by the Department for Communities using Real Time Information from HMRC and should not need to be declared. However, if you have self-employed or cross-border earnings, or income from other sources, you will need to report this before the end of the Assessment Period.

If you have any doubt about the amount of Universal Credit you have received, get in touch on 0800 915 4604 and our advisers will help you to figure out whether the payment is correct.

More information about payment of Universal Credit can be accessed at nidirect:

• How much Universal Credit you get and how you're paid
• What will affect your Universal Credit payments
• Changes that may affect your Universal Credit
• Help while waiting for a Universal Credit payment
• Universal Credit payments for children and childcare
• Universal Credit payments for housing

All Universal Credit claimants need to agree a Claimant Commitment at the outset of their claim to establish what they will do to prepare for work, look for work or increase their earnings, depending on their circumstances.

Certain groups, such as those in work, with caring responsibilities or managing health conditions and disabilities, will have reduced or even no work-related requirements. This is why it is essential to make your Work Coach aware of your specific circumstances.

Failing to adhere to the requirements laid out in the Claimant Commitment without a good reason can lead to sanctions, which reduce benefit payments. However, you can dispute a decision to impose a sanction, so get in touch with your local advice centre if you feel that a sanction has been applied incorrectly or unfairly.

More information about the conditions for receiving Universal Credit can be accessed at nidirect:

• Agree your Universal Credit Commitment
• Looking for work
• Adviser Discretion Fund (ADF)
• Benefit sanctions: Universal Credit sanctions

There are a number of reasons why money can be deducted from Universal Credit payments, including to repay loans or overpayments and because of sanctions. Deductions can also now be taken to repay third parties, like a landlord or energy supplier. Basic rates of deduction apply, but there are also limits to how much can be taken from your award and in most cases you will be able to make a case to the Department for reducing your deductions if the financial burden is too great. Get in touch if you need help negotiating with the Department about deductions being made from your Universal Credit payments.

More information about deductions from Universal Credit payments can be accessed at nidirect:

• Money taken from your Universal Credit payments
• How much can be taken from your Universal Credit payments
• Find out who to contact about money taken off your Universal Credit payment
• Who to talk to about deductions from your Universal Credit

Universal Credit replaces the following ‘legacy’ benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Housing Benefit
• Child and Working Tax Credit

People receiving these benefits will be invited by the Department to make a claim for UC. Most of these invitations have now been issued, and it is expected that this process will be completed in Northern Ireland by April 2026.

See our separate section for everything related to Move to UC, also known as managed migration.