Your first Universal Credit payment is usually about five weeks after you make a claim, because it is paid after your first monthly assessment period and processing time. The exact date depends on when you claimed and your circumstances, and you should be able to see payment details in your online account. If you need money sooner, you can ask for an advance, but this is a repayable loan normally recovered from future Universal Credit payments. Check your journal or the official GOV.UK guidance for your payment date and available support.