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Part of How to claim Universal Credit: step by step

Apply for a Universal Credit advance or hardship payment

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Help with job expenses

If you’re applying for or starting a job, you can get support to pay for expenses like:

You do not usually need to pay this back.

How to apply

To apply, you can:

  • update your journal in your Universal Credit account
  • ask your Universal Credit contact at your local jobcentre or your work coach

You’ll need to show that you:

  • need the money to get or start a job
  • cannot afford to pay for it yourself

If you cannot get help from your Universal Credit contact, you might be able to apply for an advance for unexpected costs.

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of How to claim Universal Credit: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you're eligible

    1. Check if you're eligible for Universal Credit

    If you've worked in the last 2 to 3 years, you may also be eligible for:

  2. Step 2 Create an account and make a claim

    You need an online account to claim Universal Credit.

    1. Set up an account and make a claim

    You must submit your claim within 28 days of creating your account.

    If you live with your partner, they will also need to set up an account. You'll be given a code to link the accounts together.

  3. and Find out how your claim is assessed

    You'll need to have an interview with Jobcentre Plus. You'll be told how to arrange this after you submit your claim. It will be within 10 working days.

    If you have a disability or health condition you may need a work capability assessment. You'll be told if you need one after you claim.

    1. What to do if you have a health condition or disability

  4. Step 3 Apply for an advance on your first payment

    If you need help with bills or other costs while you wait for your first payment, you can apply to get an advance.

    1. Get an advance on your first Universal Credit payment
    2. Check if you can get any other financial support

  5. Step 4 Get your first payment

    You’ll get your first payment 5 weeks after you claim. Your account will be updated to tell you how much it will be.

    1. What to do if you disagree with the decision

  6. Step 5 Report any change of circumstances

    You must update your account if your circumstances change to get the right payment.

    1. How to report a change in circumstances
    2. What to do if your payments are stopped