How to claim Universal Credit (UC)

Universal Credit (UC) is a benefit to help with living costs for people on a low income or out of work. In the UK cancer is recognised as a disability. You may be eligible to claim Universal Credit if you are out of work due to cancer or caring for someone who has cancer. We have more information on who can claim Universal Credit.

Our Benefits Calculator will help you to see if you are able to claim for Universal Credit and how much you might be entitled to. The calculator uses information about your income, savings, pension and existing benefits. 

If you are a carer

If you already receive Universal Credit (UC) and are caring for someone, you might also be able to access the carer's element.

The carer's element of Universal Credit is different to Carer's Allowance and Carer's Credit. To be eligible for the carer's element of Universal Credit you must be caring for someone for at least 35 hours a week. You can find out if you are eligible for the carer's element.

Once you have been referred to a WCA, you will be asked to complete an assessment form called a UC50. This will ensure you receive any extra money you are entitled to. 

The UC50 form will be sent to you in the post. But you can download it online. You will need to print it out because it will need to be signed by a healthcare professional.

You can access this form in different formats, including braille, large print, or audio. Call Universal Credit to request this.

It is important to complete and return your UC50 within 4 weeks of receiving it to make sure you get your full entitlement as quickly as possible. You can find the date you need to return it by on the letter included with the form.

You should receive a decision from DWP within 1 month, but this can vary. Waiting for a decision can be difficult. Our Macmillan Support Line is there to help.

Information relating to cancer treatment 

If you have a cancer diagnosis you will not need to complete all the questions on the form. There is a section on the form about if you are having, waiting for or recovering from chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

You will need to ask a healthcare professional to provide information on the form. You can take the form with you to your next appointment or send it to them in the post or via email. You will not need to provide medical evidence of your diagnosis.

It usually takes around 5 weeks for your claim to be processed and to get your first Universal Credit payment.

After your first payment, you will be paid on the same date every month. If your payment date falls on a weekend, you will be paid on the working day before. You can view your monthly payment statements on your online account. You will be able to see how much you will be paid.  

If you need to be paid sooner, you can apply for an advance on your first payment. The most you will receive is the same amount as your first estimated payment.

How long does LCWRA payment take?

In most cases the LCWRA element will not be added to your Universal Credit payment straight away. It can take up to 3 months from when you first reported having limited capability for work.

If you are awarded the LCWRA element, your claim will be backdated to when you disclosed your condition (this is usually when you submit your UC claim). It may be added straight away if you are terminally ill or were already entitled to one of the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) components before you applied for Universal Credit.

If you would like more information about your situation and when you will receive your LCWRA payment, you can talk to our Macmillan Welfare Rights Advisers.

You can dispute a Universal Credit decision. We have more information about the process of challenging a benefits decision.

You can also speak to our Macmillan Welfare Rights Advisers who can give advice and support with challenging benefits decisions.

You need to report any changes to your circumstances as soon as possible as this could affect your Universal Credit. This includes changes to your health, for example if there are any changes to your cancer diagnosis or treatment plan.

Going into hospital

Some benefits may also be affected if you have a long stay in hospital or go abroad. This normally applies if either lasts for 4 weeks or more.

If your partner is in hospital and is expected to be in for 6 months or more, then you will need to end the joint claim and claim as a single person.

Not every change will affect your benefits. But if you are not sure, you should contact the DWP. Not telling them could mean you are missing out on extra money. Or you could be paid money that you have to pay back.  

If you get a job or increase your hours at work

Use the benefits calculator to find out how getting a job or increasing your hours may affect your Universal Credit. You can also speak with your work coach or a Macmillan Welfare Rights Adviser.

If you've been paid too much

In some situations you may have been paid too much Universal Credit. This may be if:

• a change is not reported straight away
• the information you provided was incorrect
• you were overpaid by mistake.

GOV UK has more information if you have been paid too much Universal Credit. 

How do I report changes?

You can report a change of circumstance in your online account.  You can also call the Universal Credit helpline:

• In England, Scotland and Wales, call 0800 328 5644 or 0800 328 1744 for Welsh language. Or use textphone 0800 328 1344.
• In Northern Ireland, call 0800 012 1331 or use textphone 0800 012 1441.

You might have some more questions about claiming Universal Credit. We've answered some of the most often asked questions below. 

If you have a question that is not answered below, you can call our Macmillan Welfare Rights Advisers.