universal_credit

Universal Credit

What Universal Credit is

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly.

You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

This easy read guide explains what Universal Credit is and how you can apply for it.

If you already get other benefits

Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits and tax credits:

  • Child Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Working Tax Credit

If you’re getting any of these benefits or tax credits, you do not need to do anything unless:

You’ll stop getting these benefits and tax credits when you or your partner claims Universal Credit. If you or your partner gets Pension Credit, this will also stop if one of you claims Universal Credit.

This will not affect any other benefits you’re getting, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance.

Eligibility

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be:

  • out of work
  • working (including self-employed or part time)
  • unable to work, for example because of a health condition

To claim you must:

  • live in the UK
  • be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
  • be under State Pension age
  • have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments

If you have a disability or health condition

If you have a health condition that affects your ability to work you might get extra money for Universal Credit.

What you’ll get

How much Universal Credit you get depends on:

  • your standard allowance
  • any extra amounts that apply to you
  • any money taken off your payment

Use a benefits calculator to see how much you could get.

For the latest information on Universal Credit, visit Gov.UK