How is Universal Credit paid?
Last updated: 09/09/2025
Universal Credit is paid monthly, in arrears. The amount you get is based on your circumstances in the month before you get your payment. You will get your first payment of Universal Credit into your bank account around 5 weeks after you submit your claim. This will be your payment date. You will then get payments on the same date of the month but can ask for payments to be spread across the month so they’d be paid twice instead of once per month.
If your payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, you’ll get paid on the working day before.
Choose how you want to be paid
In Scotland, you have a choice on how you are paid Universal Credit. It can be paid twice a month or monthly. You will be offered the choice through your Universal Credit online account after you get your first payment.
For more details visit Scottish Government Choices.
Housing costs direct to landlords
In Scotland you can ask that your Universal Credit housing element is paid directly to your landlord. You can request this in your Universal Credit online account. The DWP will contact your landlord to arrange this.
If the housing cost element in your Universal Credit award is less than your full rent, then you must continue paying the difference to your landlord yourself.
The DWP will leave a message in your online journal to let you know when this has been set up. It is important that you keep paying your rent yourself until you have confirmation of this from the DWP.
Related information
Universal credit helpline: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Contact our Helpline: 0808 801 0323
Universal Credit advance payments
If you do not have enough money to live on while you wait for your first payment of Universal Credit, you can ask for a Universal Credit advance. This is a loan you’ll need to pay back. This will be taken off of your next 24 Universal Credit payments.
How much is it?
The maximum advance you can get is the same as your monthly estimated Universal Credit amount.
How the Universal Credit advance is repaid
The Universal Credit advance is a loan which has to be repaid. There is no interest added to the advance so the amount you borrow is what you repay.
The Universal Credit advance is paid back over 24 months. Repayments are taken from your monthly Universal Credit starting from the payment after you get the advance.
If you stop getting Universal Credit before you have paid off the advance, deductions can be made from other benefits you receive. If you stop receiving benefits altogether, you will be contacted by the DWP Debt Management Centre to arrange how you will pay off the remainder of your advance.
If you do not make arrangements to pay back the advance, DWP will contact your employer to arrange deductions from your earnings or use a debt collecting service to collect repayments.
How do I apply for it?
You should ask for a Universal Credit advance at your first Universal Credit interview or by calling the free Universal Credit Helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Change of circumstances
Changes in your circumstances may alter your monthly Universal Credit payments.
These changes can include:
- starting or leaving work
- moving home
- your rent going up or down
- having a baby
A change of circumstances takes effect from the beginning of the month in which it occurs.
It is your responsibility to report a change of circumstance promptly, but it may be a good idea to bring forward or delay any circumstantial changes where possible.