Citizens Advice Birmingham - Help to Claim
Expert support to help you apply for Universal Credit, from application to first payment.
The service is completely confidential and independent of the DWP.
About this service
Citizens Advice Birmingham - Help to Claim provides advisers help you work out whether you can get Universal Credit, fill in the application, prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment and check your first payment is correct. The service is delivered by Citizens Advice Birmingham as part of the national Help to Claim service, so the phone number is the England-wide line rather than a Birmingham-only number. It is there for anyone in England who is starting a Universal Credit claim, including people living in Birmingham. There is no charge for using it. You can contact them yourself, so you do not need to be referred by anyone else. Opening times are monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (national Help to Claim phone line and web chat). You may be entitled to more than you expect, and it costs nothing to check.
How they can help you
Advisers help you work out whether you can get Universal Credit, fill in the application, prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment and check your first payment is correct. The service is delivered by Citizens Advice Birmingham as part of the national Help to Claim service, so the phone number is the England-wide line rather than a Birmingham-only number.
What to expect
You will be asked a few details so an adviser can help: what you need advice about, your name and your postcode. Having details of your income, savings, housing costs, who you live with and any benefits you already get will make the conversation quicker.
What to bring
National Insurance number, bank details, and information about your housing, income, and savings.
Who it's for
Anyone in England who is starting a Universal Credit claim, including people living in Birmingham.
Eligibility
People in England applying for Universal Credit for the first time. No referral is needed; you can call or use web chat.
Getting support
- Eligibility
- People in England applying for Universal Credit for the first time. No referral is needed; you can call or use web chat.
- Opening hours
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (national Help to Claim phone line and web chat)
- Referral requirements
- You can contact this service directly without a referral.
Contact
0800 144 8 444Visit WebsiteFirst Floor Wellington House, 31-34 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5TJ (Admin only; support is mainly via phone/web)Trust and updates
Verification status: Verified
Last verified: October 23, 2026
Last updated: October 24, 2026
Verification source: https://www.bcabs.org.uk/ and https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/
Verification notes: Checked 23 Oct 2026. Citizens Advice Birmingham confirms it delivers Help to Claim locally. The number in the record (0800 144 8 444) is the England-wide Help to Claim line, answered 8am-6pm, not a Birmingham-only line, and eligibility is England rather than the whole UK. Kept as a local Birmingham record because the local bureau genuinely delivers the service, but the description now names the national line so visitors are not misled.
Report a problem with this listing
If any details look wrong or out of date, you can let the OneRoof team know here. Your report goes into an admin review queue and will not change the listing automatically.
Cost
Free
Not quite right for you?
Contact
0800 144 8 444Visit WebsiteFirst Floor Wellington House, 31-34 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5TJ (Admin only; support is mainly via phone/web)Trust and updates
Verification status: Verified
Last verified: October 23, 2026
Last updated: October 24, 2026
Verification source: https://www.bcabs.org.uk/ and https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/
Verification notes: Checked 23 Oct 2026. Citizens Advice Birmingham confirms it delivers Help to Claim locally. The number in the record (0800 144 8 444) is the England-wide Help to Claim line, answered 8am-6pm, not a Birmingham-only line, and eligibility is England rather than the whole UK. Kept as a local Birmingham record because the local bureau genuinely delivers the service, but the description now names the national line so visitors are not misled.
Report a problem with this listing
If any details look wrong or out of date, you can let the OneRoof team know here. Your report goes into an admin review queue and will not change the listing automatically.
Cost
Free