The Universal Credit website has been experiencing significant technical issues since early this morning, preventing many users from accessing vital services such as payment updates and account management. The unexpected outage is also affecting other government platforms, including HMRC and the Government Gateway.
For millions of claimants who rely on the system to manage their accounts, the disruption is causing serious concerns. Some users are worried that they may miss key deadlines for jobcentre updates, potentially delaying their payments or risking penalties.
With over 5.7 million individuals depending on Universal Credit, the consequences of such technical failures are far-reaching.
Widespread Outage Causes Alarm for Universal Credit Users
According to reports, the problems began before 6 a.m. this morning, and users have been facing error messages such as, “Sorry, the service is unavailable. Try again later,” when attempting to log into their accounts.
On the government’s service tracker, more than 150 users have already reported issues with accessing their Universal Credit accounts. Many also noted that they were unable to update their personal details or respond to critical jobcentre messages.
The outage has left claimants unable to access their payments or adjust their details, essential functions for those relying on Universal Credit for daily living expenses. The service is particularly crucial for covering rent, bills, and food costs, making even short-term interruptions a source of significant anxiety.
With users unable to navigate the system, the impact is particularly felt among those in urgent need of assistance.
HMRC and Other Government Services Affected
The disruption isn’t limited to Universal Credit. The outage has extended to several other key government services, including HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Government Gateway. More than 140 users have reported problems logging into HMRC, where individuals access services related to tax returns, child benefits, and self-assessments.
The system failure raises concerns about the reliability and resilience of the UK government’s digital infrastructure. Given that millions of people depend on these services daily, delays or failures can have far-reaching consequences for individuals managing their finances and fulfilling their legal obligations.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has yet to provide an update on the cause of the outage or an estimated timeline for resolution, leaving many in limbo.
As the morning progresses, users are taking to social media to voice their frustrations, calling for immediate clarification and a swift resolution to the problem. With critical services at stake, the government’s response in addressing the issue will likely be under close scrutiny in the coming hours.
