Universal credit: Adviser guidance

This section of the site contains links to Universal Credit guidance for advisers published by both the DWP and HMRC.

DWP Advice for Decision Makers guidance

DWP benefits have long been administered by decision makers following the DWP's decision makers guidance (DMG). For new benefits introduced from April 2013, including Universal Credit, DWP has decided to set out their guidance in a newly named 'Advice for Decision Making' - ADM for short. ADM will cover new benefits including Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment as well as Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (following changes to them by the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

This section of the site covers the ADM for Universal Credit only.

ADM guidance

The guidance is split into 12 sections covering Universal Credit, as well as some common subject areas.

You can find the ADM and memos providing updates on the GOV.UK website.

Getting updates

Advisers can get updates to the ADM and other Decision Makers Guidance (DMG) by emailing [email protected]

Helpful documents

To aid advisers in understanding the ADM, DWP have produced two PDF's that explain abbreviations and reference the legislation referred to in the ADM:

DWP Universal Credit information for partners and stakeholders

There is a collection of guidance and information about Universal Credit designed mainly for DWP partners and stakeholders - it is published on the GOV.UK website.

HMRC guidance

HMRC have published a guide useful to advisers who are dealing with claimants currently receiving tax credits and who will be moving across to Universal Credit. Guidance will be added as it is published.

DWP leaflets for advisers and landlords

DWP publish a range of online guidance notes/leaflets for claimants and advisers. The guidance can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Guidance for landlords can also be found on the GOV.UK website.

Updates for advisers

Advisers may wish to subscribe to the following updates:

Last reviewed/updated 1 July 2022