A monthly payment to help with living costs if you're on a low income, out of work or unable to work. It has replaced most older means-tested benefits.
Many people who are entitled to support never claim it. Check who qualifies, how much you could get and how to make your claim through the official channel.
The rules depend on where you live in the UK and on your household’s circumstances.
What Universal Credit offers
- Single monthly payment: Combines support for living costs, housing, children and disability into one payment.
- Works alongside a job: Payments reduce gradually as your earnings rise, so you can work and still claim.
- Help with childcare: Can cover up to 85% of eligible childcare costs if you work.
- Advances available: You can ask for an advance if you need money while waiting for your first payment.
- Online account: You manage your claim and talk to your work coach through an online journal.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who can get it | People aged 18 to State Pension age on a low income or out of work, living in the UK, with savings of £16,000 or less |
| How much | Standard allowance from £338.58 a month (single, under 25) to £666.97 (couple, one or both 25+), plus extra for children, housing, disability or caring (2026/27) |
| How it's paid | Monthly into a bank, building society or credit union account |
| How to claim | Online at GOV.UK, then attend a Jobcentre interview |
| Where | England, Scotland and Wales (separate system in Northern Ireland) |
Key points
Single monthly payment: Combines support for living costs, housing, children and disability into one payment.
Works alongside a job: Payments reduce gradually as your earnings rise, so you can work and still claim.
Help with childcare: Can cover up to 85% of eligible childcare costs if you work.
About Department for Work and Pensions
Universal Credit is run by Department for Work and Pensions. Claims are made free of charge through the official government channel.
We explain the rules independently and then send you to the official page to claim. We are not a government website.
Amounts and rules can change. The decision on your claim is made by Department for Work and Pensions.