Contact us about a Universal Credit application

Universal Credit is a benefit payment that is paid once a month. You might be able to get it if you’re not working or you’re on a low income.

Check the advice on the rest of our website

We have advice on this website to help you:

• check if you can get Universal Credit

• find out about moving to Universal Credit from other benefits

• get Universal Credit if you’re sick or disabled

• check how much Universal Credit you'll get

Our Help to Claim advisers can help you with the early stages of your Universal Credit claim. You can talk to them on the phone or online over chat. You can also use text relay or our British Sign Language (BSL) video call service.

An adviser can help you:

• work out if you can get Universal Credit

• fill in the Universal Credit application 

• prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment 

• check your first payment is correct

Chat to us online

You can chat with an adviser online about your Universal Credit application.

Start a chat by clicking the ‘Talk to an adviser’ button. This will be at the bottom of your screen if an adviser is available.

Our webchat is usually available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It isn’t available on public holidays.

Call our Help to Claim phone number

You can contact an adviser through our free Help to Claim phone service. Advisers are available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday:

England: 0800 144 8 444

Scotland: 0800 023 2581

Wales: 08000 241 220

Get help in a language that isn’t English

If you'd like to speak to a Welsh language adviser, call the Wales number.

If you want to talk in a different language, call the Help to Claim number for the country you live in.

Tell the adviser you need an interpreter. An interpreter will join the call and they will interpret for you and the adviser.

If you can't hear or speak on the phone

You can use our text relay or British Sign Language (BSL) video call service to speak with us about your Universal Credit application.

Use our text relay service

You can type what you want to say:

Relay UK (England): 18001 then 0800 144 8 444

Relay UK (Wales): 18001 then 08000 241 220

You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no extra charge to use it.

Find out how to use Relay UK on the Relay UK website.

Use our British Sign Language (BSL) video call service

You can also make a BSL call using Video Relay Service on your computer, tablet or mobile phone.

Use our BSL service.

How to complain

You can make a complaint if you're unhappy with the service provided.