Source data
Universal Credit first and later payment timing in Great Britain
Sources checked
- Claim dateThe first monthly assessment period begins.
- One monthly periodThe first assessment period ends and the next begins.
- Usually seven days laterThe first payment is due.
- ThereafterThe ordinary monthly payment date repeats, subject to weekend and bank holiday shifts.
A monthly assessment period starts on the claim date. The first payment usually follows seven days after that period ends.
Universal Credit first and later payment timing in Great Britain
This guide covers ordinary Universal Credit payment timing in England, Scotland and Wales. GOV.UK links separately to Northern Ireland’s payment rules. An advance is a separate application.
| Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First assessment period begins | The day you make a claim | The first monthly period starts on that date | Source 1 |
| First assessment period ends | After one monthly assessment period | GOV.UK’s 10 September example ends on 9 October | Source 1 |
| First payment | Usually around five weeks after claiming | Usually seven days after the first assessment period ends | Source 1 |
| Later payments | Usually the same date each month | The normal schedule uses one payment per month | Source 1 |
| Weekend or bank holiday | Previous working day | The scheduled payment moves earlier | Source 1 |
| Twice-monthly choice in Scotland | Offered after first payment for a new claim | The first payment covers the full month before the split schedule starts | Source 1 |