With Universal credit Benefits includes a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly or twice a month for some people in Scotland.

What Universal Credit is

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly – or twice a month for some people in Scotland.

You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

If you live in Northern Ireland, go to Universal Credit in Northern Ireland.

Sign in

Sign in to your Universal Credit account if you already have one.

If you already get other benefits

Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits:

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

If you currently get any of these benefits, you do not need to do anything unless:

• you have a change of circumstances you need to report
• the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) contacts you about moving to Universal Credit

If you get tax credits, they will stop when you or your partner applies for Universal Credit. Check how tax credits and Universal Credit affect each other.

Browse: Benefits

• Manage an existing benefit, payment or claimSign in to your account, report changes, find out about overpayments, or appeal a decision. Includes existing Universal Credit and tax credits claims.
• Benefits and financial support if you’re looking for workHelp if you’re looking for a new job, are out of work or affected by redundancy. Includes Universal Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
• Benefits and financial support if you’re temporarily unable to workHelp if you’re unable to work because you’re ill or self-isolating. Includes Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
• Benefits and financial support for familiesHelp if you look after children or plan to have or adopt a child. Includes Child Benefit.
• Benefits and financial support if you’re disabled or have a health conditionHelp if you’re living with a health condition or disability. Includes Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
• Benefits and financial support if you’re caring for someoneHelp if you regularly spend time caring for someone. Includes Universal Credit.
• Benefits and financial support if you’re on a low incomeHelp with heating, housing and other living costs. Includes Universal Credit.
• Benefits and financial support when someone diesHelp with costs and funeral expenses after someone has died. Includes Universal Credit.