How to claim Universal Credit for Housing Cost (Rent): step by step

Universal Credit can help you with your living costs if you’re on low income or out of work.

1. Step 1: Check if you're eligible

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:

• 'new style' Jobseeker's Allowance if you're out of work
• 'new style' Employment and Support Allowance if you can't work because of illness or disability

2. Step 2: Create an account and make a claim

You need an online account to claim Universal Credit.

• 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.

You'll need to have an interview with Job Centre Plus (Cannock). 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 medical assessment. You'll be told if you need one after you claim.

• What to do if you have a health condition or disability

  Step 3: Apply for an advance on your first payment

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

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

But remember you will have to pay the advance back; so always ask for budgeting advice and only take the advance for your rent or essential bills.

• Step 4: Attend your interview

• What happens at the interview

  Step 5: 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. Payment will then be each calendar month or around the same date each time. 

• What to do if you disagree with the decision

  Step 6: Follow your agreement and report any change of circumstances 

You must keep to the Claimant Commitment you agreed at your interview. If you do not, your payments could stop.

You must also update your account if your circumstances change to ensure your getting the right payment.

• How to report a change in circumstances 

    You can report a change of circumstances by signing into your Universal Credit account.

• What to do if your payments are stopped

    Housing Benefit run on for Universal Credit

• If a claimant received housing benefit before claiming UC, they will receive a two week run on of this payment when they make a claim.
• The payment is made by the local authority.
• The extra 2 weeks of housing benefit will not be taken into account as income and will not reduce the first UC payment.
• Claimants do not need to claim these extra 2 weeks – they will be paid automatically when you claim.
• If housing benefit is paid directly to a claimant, they will also get this paid directly to them too.

Claimants can only get the housing benefit run on once – the first time they claim UC.

Useful website information

Housing costs and Universal Credit: How to claim - GOV.UK

Housing costs and Universal Credit: Renting from the local authority or housing association - GOV.UK

Housing costs and Universal Credit - GOV.UK

Universal Credit: Get an advance on your first payment - GOV.UK

Universal Credit advances - GOV.UK

Claimants in Temporary Accommodation

• Claimants who move into Temporary Accommodation whilst claiming UC will no longer receive the housing element of UC. They will receive housing benefit instead.
• This will be the process for both new claims and also for any change of circumstances that move a claimant into Temporary Accommodation during their claim.
• If a change of circumstance occurs, it may leave a claimant with a shortfall to pay, as the housing element would be turned off for the entire assessment period despite there possibly being a rent liability for part of that period. In this case, the claimant can request a Discretionary Housing Payment from the local authority.

You must keep your Universal Credit journal up to date so you don't lose out. We can help.

Following the annual rent increase it is your responsibility to inform universal credit of the changes in your housing costs. 

You must complete the update on your journal before the end of your Universal Credit assessment period in April or you will miss out on the money you are due.

If you need help with your journal please speak to your Income/ Neighbourhood officer.

If you don’t tell the DWP about your rent rise, your Universal Credit won’t be increased to cover your new rent and you could miss out on benefits you are due.

If you receive Housing Benefit you don’t need to do anything. Your benefit will be automatically updated.

If you pay by standing order you need to speak to your bank about increasing your payment.

Make sure you include your rent reference number so your payment reaches your account without delay.

What you need to do

A new 'Confirm your housing costs' message will be in your “To-do List” at the beginning of April each year.

Sign into your Universal Credit online journal at www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/sign-in and follow these simple steps:

•             Click on your To-Do List

•             Click on the “Confirm your housing costs To-do”.

You will be asked:

•             Has your rent changed? – Select Yes

You will then be asked the following questions:

•             “Did your housing costs change on 1st April 2024” - Select Yes

You will be shown the amount of rent currently recorded on your account and will be asked the following questions:

•             “Are you still charged weekly for your rent?” - Select Yes

•             “How much is your new rent?” - Enter your weekly rent amount

Once you have answered these questions you will see a summary of your answers. If you have made any mistakes, you can change your answers.

If you are happy with the information, you have provided press confirm to complete the To-Do.