The Universal Credit website has been down for several hours, leaving thousands of users unable to access important services. This outage, which started at around 5 a.m. today, is also affecting other government websites, including Gov.uk and HMRC.
Users are reporting widespread issues with logging in and accessing key services, both on the Universal Credit website and the associated app. The outage comes after similar problems were flagged last evening around 9 p.m., when HMRC and Gov.uk sites also experienced disruptions.
According to Downdetector, a service tracking real-time website disruptions, login problems are the most common issue, affecting 57% of reported cases. Website access issues come in second at 37%, while app-related problems account for 6% of the complaints.
The disruption is particularly problematic for those relying on Universal Credit, which is a benefit payment aimed at helping individuals with living costs. The service is typically paid on a monthly basis.
Recent data shows that over 6.4 million people across England, Scotland, and Wales currently claim Universal Credit. Nearly 40% of recipients are in employment, highlighting the importance of the service, especially for working families and individuals.
As the issue persists, many users have taken to social media, particularly X , to express their frustration. One user posted, “Trying to check NI records. HMRC website saying service unavailable.” Another stated, “HMRC website now looks like it’s crashed!!” These reports reflect the widespread frustration caused by the technical difficulties.
The number of reports submitted to Downdetector saw a significant spike between 8:15 - 9 a.m., with nearly 500 issues flagged within a short time. Downdetector tracks outages based on user submissions and data from social media, particularly X, to compile a clear picture of the disruption.
Downdetector
Downdetector tracks problems by gathering data from user-submitted reports, offering a real-time view of outages and performance issues. The platform also monitors updates on X to capture firsthand accounts of service problems as they arise.
While there’s no official statement yet on when the service will be fully restored, authorities are aware of the issue and working on resolving the technical difficulties. For now, many Universal Credit claimants are left without access to essential services, including checking payments, applying for assistance, and updating personal details.
The ongoing outage of the Universal Credit website, along with disruptions to Gov.uk and HMRC, is causing significant inconvenience for thousands of users.
