THOUSANDS of households on Universal Credit can track payments by using an online portal.
You can access the account via the Government's website.
But beyond that there are plenty of other benefits to the portal.
Here's everything you need to know.
How do you log in to Universal Credit?
Those on Universal Credit can access their online account via the gov.uk website.
Make sure you've got your username and password to hand before though.
These will be the same ones you received when your first applied for the benefit.
If you've forgotten your details you can request to reset them – you just have to enter your email address.
In a worse case scenario, you can always try calling the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 to access your account.
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You can also get in contact via NGT text relay on 18001 then 0800 328 5644.
There's a Welsh language helpline available on 0800 328 1744 too.
What are the benefits to having an online account?
The Universal Credit account is called an Online Journal and can help you apply for an advance on your first payment.
An advance helps you plug the five-week wait between applying and receiving your first benefit payment.
You can also use your journal to see your statement, report a change in circumstances, add a note to your to-do list and find out when your next payment will be.
Plus, you can send messages to your work coach and read their responses and you can even keep a record of the things you’ve done to prepare or look for work.
The page will also contain your Claimant Commitment – this is what you agree to in order to access the benefit, and you can check this whenever you need.
You may be able to use the Universal Credit online service to make a claim or join your partner's claim.
How to know if you need Universal Credit?
Universal Credit combines a number of benefits into one monthly payment.
It replaces: Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Working Tax Credit.
People who are already receiving these benefits will be transferred to Universal Credit between now and March 2025 in a move known as managed migration.
The payment is made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that apply to you, for example if you:
- Have children
- Have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working
- Need help paying your rent
You can use a benefits calculator to see how much you could get.
Find out more about what Universal Credit is and whether you might be eligible for a claim.
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