The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that 6.7 million people across Great Britain are now receiving monthly financial support through Universal Credit. This means-tested benefit is designed to assist those out of work or who are in work on a low income with the cost of daily living.  As unemployment levels rise to almost 4% and more people claim Universal Credit, the DWP has updated its guidance on the identity verification process required for new claimants. Although these new changes were announced before the July 2025 general election, there are no plans in the pipeline to change the application process for Universal Credit under the new Labour government. To claim Universal Credit, individuals must first verify their identity. The DWP has published a comprehensive list of ID documents that new claimants need to bring to the Jobcentre if they are invited for a face-to-face interview.

How to Verify Your Identity

The DWP states that verifying a claimant’s identity is the only way in which they can link the right person to the right claim. This also helps to reduce identity fraud in the system. There are various options which people can take to verify their identity for official purposes. Even if you have already verified your identity to apply for a passport, driving licence or for other benefits, you might have to repeat the process for a Universal Credit application.

Verifying your identity online is usually a straightforward way to confirm that you are who you say you are. You can do this by providing information that only you would know, such as details about your passport, your driving licence number or recent payslips. If you are applying for Universal Credit, the DWP will accept any two of the following list of key identity documents:

• Payslips from your employer dated within the last three months
• Your most recent P60 (annual statement of tax paid to HMRC)
• A valid UK passport
• Self-assessment returns submitted to HMRC if you are self-employed
• Tax credit information or correspondence
• Utility bills or mobile phone contract bills.

People who are able to verify their identity successfully using the online portal progress to the next stage of the process. If you don’t have the correct combination of documents to prove your identity online, then you might be asked to prove your identity in another way.

Other Ways to Verify Your Identity

If you have not got a passport, or driving licence, or the other documents which the DWP want to see for online identity verification, then there are other ways of doing this. These include:

• Face to face appointments with an advisor
• Phone interviews

During an interview, the advisor will go through your history and look at whatever documents you can provide to help establish your identity. When you make the appointment, you will be told what sorts of documents they are looking for. Although the process may appear frustrating, it is not designed to block your application, even though it might feel like that at the time.