https://www.understandinguniversalcr...-vD-msuAAbHzOY A guide to Universal Credit for those who need to claim. This benefit does not pay anything for people to live on or help with rent & mortgage payments for at least the first five weeks. CLAIM AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE LAID OFF, HAVE TO CLOSE YOUR BUSINESS OR ARE MADE REDUNDANT. This is because you do not get paid for the first week and the following four weeks are paid in arrears. This may be even longer if you receive any outstanding wages or receive a tax refund. The seven days starts from the date you claim, so claiming straight away gets the clock ticking. If you cannot manage during the waiting period, you are entitled to ask for an interest free loan that they will claw back from your ongoing payments.