Universal Credit (UC) provides financial support and helps claimants prepare for and find employment. Uploading an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a mandatory part of the Claimant Commitment, outlining the work-related activities required to receive benefit payments. This ensures the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has the necessary information to support job-seeking and match claimants with suitable vacancies. Submitting this document to your online account is a necessary administrative step to maintain compliance.
Preparing Your CV File for Upload
Before navigating to the government portal, ensure your CV is current, accurately reflecting your skills, experience, and contact details. The document must be saved in a file format the system recognizes, such as PDF or Microsoft Word’s DOCX format, which ensures readability across various systems.
Name the file clearly, such as “YourName_CV_Date,” for easy identification. Although the Universal Credit system does not publicize a strict file size limit, ensure the document is under 5 megabytes (MB) to prevent upload failures, as this is a common upper limit for online application systems. Completing these preparatory steps streamlines the submission process once you access your online journal.
Logging Into Your Universal Credit Account
The first step involves securely accessing your personal Universal Credit online journal, which serves as the hub for all claim management. You must navigate directly to the official government website and enter the unique username and password established during the initial claim setup.
The system requires two-factor authentication to verify your identity. This involves receiving a unique, one-time code via text message or email. Entering this code correctly grants access to your claim dashboard, allowing you to proceed with the document submission.
Locating the Documents and Evidence Section
After logging in, you will see the main sections of your claim, including the Home, Payments, Journal, and To-Do List tabs. To submit your CV, navigate to the area where the DWP requested the document, which usually appears as a task within your “To-Do List.”
The DWP Work Coach must generate a specific “Upload Document/Evidence” task for the upload function to become visible and active. Clicking the CV-related task in the “To-Do List” opens the dedicated portal for submitting the file. If the task is not present, message your Work Coach via the Journal to request they set the appropriate upload task.
Executing the CV Upload and Receiving Confirmation
When the upload task is open, locate the “Attach a file” or similar module on the screen. Click the “Browse” button, which opens a file explorer window, allowing you to select the prepared CV file from your computer or mobile device. The system allows for the selection of up to five documents simultaneously, but you will only need to select your single CV file.
After selecting the document, click the “Upload” button to transfer the file to the DWP server. The system displays a confirmation that the file has been successfully uploaded and is visible in the task window. You must then click the “Done” button at the bottom of the task page to formally submit the document to your Work Coach and complete the task. Failing to click “Done” means the document is uploaded but not officially submitted.
Post-Upload Steps and Work Coach Communication
After clicking “Done,” the CV upload task should disappear from your “To-Do List,” signaling the administrative requirement is fulfilled. Send a brief message to your Work Coach using the Journal function to confirm you have completed the task and uploaded your CV.
The Work Coach accesses the uploaded CV to review your qualifications. This helps them tailor job-search requirements and match you with potential work opportunities. Maintaining a clear communication trail in your Journal ensures a record of your compliance with your Claimant Commitment.