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Universal Credit

Department for Work and Pensions (Department for Communities in Northern Ireland)

Description

The main means-tested benefit for working-age people on a low income, whether in or out of work, paid as a single monthly payment (fortnightly by default in Northern Ireland; Scottish claimants can opt into fortnightly payments and direct-to-landlord housing payments) made up of a standard allowance plus extra elements for children, housing costs, caring responsibilities, or limited capability for work. Replaced six legacy benefits — Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit — for new claims; DWP's final managed-migration deadline has now passed, with Income Support and income-based JSA fully closed since 1 April 2026 and most remaining income-related ESA and working-age Housing Benefit claims closed by 30 June 2026 (a few exceptions remain, e.g. supported/temporary accommodation).

Amount

Standard allowance: £338.58/month (single, under 25), £424.90/month (single, 25+), £528.34/month (joint claimants, both under 25), £666.97/month (joint claimants, either 25+) — plus elements for children (£303.94/month per child, more for a first child born before 6 April 2017), housing costs, caring (£209.34/month) and LCWRA (£217.26/month, or a protected £429.80/month) on top where you qualify. 2026/27 rates, verified directly against gov.uk in this pass (September 2026).

Deadline

Rolling / no fixed deadline

Eligibility summary

  • Available across the whole UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
  • Open to individuals — not restricted to businesses.
  • Relevant income bands: earning under the Personal Allowance, basic rate taxpayers.
Notes
The Universal Credit Act 2025 rebalanced rates from April 2026: the standard allowance rose above inflation while the LCWRA (health-related top-up) element was roughly halved, to £217.26/month, for anyone newly awarded it from 6 April 2026 onwards — unless they meet the 'severe conditions criteria' or are terminally ill. Claimants already receiving LCWRA before that date keep a protected rate of £429.80/month. Not a devolved benefit — Scotland has no replacement, only the 'Scottish choices' on payment frequency/housing-payment routing described above.
Assessment
Paid as a standard allowance (varies by age and whether it's a single or joint claim) plus any elements you qualify for: child element, housing costs element, limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) element, and carer element. Earnings above a 'work allowance' (for claimants with children or limited capability for work) are tapered away at 55p for every £1 earned; a benefit cap limits the total award for most working-age households.
Requirement
Aged 18 or over (some 16–17 year olds qualify in specific circumstances, e.g. care leavers or those with a health condition), under State Pension age, living in the UK, with savings/capital under £16,000, and on a low income whether employed, self-employed, or out of work.

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How to apply

Apply online at gov.uk/apply-universal-credit. Your actual award depends on income, savings, housing costs, health, and household details this site doesn't collect, so use the official Universal Credit calculator or an independent one (Turn2us, entitledto) for a personalised estimate before applying.

View official source

Last verified: 2 September 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.