Universal Credit: Help to claim
A new Help to Claim service to support you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim has been launched by Citizens Advice.
It is a free, independent, confidential and impartial service run by trained advisors, which can help with aspects of making a claim from the application through to the first payment. The service can help with things like how to gather evidence for your application or how to prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment.
The scheme is funded by a £39 million government grant and replaces the Universal Support programme. It has been launched nationally and is available until April 2020.
How can you use this service?
There are a number of ways you can access this service. Support is usually available Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
You can call one of their helplines:
- England: 0800 1448 444
- Wales: 0800 0241 220
- Scotland: 0800 0232 581
You can also talk to a trained adviser online through the Citizens Advice Help to Claim chat service.
Alternatively, you can search for your local Citizens Advice to find the contact details for your nearest bureau.
See our Universal Credit guides for more information on this benefit.
Sources and more information:
Citizens Advice website: Help to Claim Service for Universal Credit (please look at the information on the website for the country of the UK that you live in.)