Universal Credit
Who can get it, how much you can get and how to apply
Universal Credit is a monthly benefit to support those on low incomes (or no income) with living and housing costs. With the cost of living spiralling, millions of people are struggling financially, yet around a million people aren't claiming Universal Credit when they could be. Have a read of this guide and use our Benefits Calculator to check how much you could get.
First, a quick overview of Universal Credit
Around a million people eligible for Universal Credit aren't claiming it, despite rising living costs. Here's what you need to know:
Universal Credit is a monthly payment for working-age people. It's designed to help those struggling with basic living costs, such as housing and childcare costs.
There are various eligibility requirements, such as being a low income household (or being out of work), being under State Pension age and having less than £16,000 in savings.
It's a household benefit, so if you live with a partner, both of your incomes and savings will be considered.
Universal Credit comes with obligations, for example, you might be required to do a certain amount of work or 'work-related activity'.
Exactly how much you'll get will depend on each claimant's circumstances, including your age, whether you have to pay rent and whether you have children.
There are a few steps to claiming Universal Credit. You'll need to apply online, attend an interview and then await the outcome.
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a monthly payment for working-age people who are struggling financially. It's designed to help you meet your basic living costs.
Key features of Universal Credit are...
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It's a household benefit – If you live with your partner (whether married or not), both of your incomes and savings will be taken into account when you apply. And, if you're eligible, your Universal Credit will be paid into a single bank account.
Broad eligibility – There's no specific 'type' of person that Universal Credit is meant for. It's designed to help bridge the gap for those struggling financially, whether that's due to unemployment, a low income, caring for young children, or a health condition.
Be aware: it comes with obligations – Depending on your circumstances, you'll usually be expected to do a certain amount of work or 'work-related activity' each month to qualify for your Universal Credit payment. This is laid out in a document called a 'claimant commitment', which you'll sign when you apply. If you don't do an action included in this, your amount will be reduced.
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There's no set amount you'll get – The Government first looks at what you need to live on given your circumstances. The amount you'll get in Universal Credit is then adjusted based on what you've got coming in each month (from work and other benefits), and your savings.
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There's no set amount you can earn before you stop getting Universal Credit – Because Universal Credit is tailored to your circumstances, there's no hard 'cut-off' point for eligibility. A single person living with their parents may only be able to earn up to £18,000 before they stop being eligible, whereas a single parent of two children, renting in an expensive city, may be able to earn up to £50,000 before they are no longer eligible.
Claiming Universal Credit also opens up access to other forms of support, including increased free childcare hours, and reduced tariffs for certain utilities. We cover these in the 'extra help' section of this guide.
We'll also go on to explain exactly how Universal Credit works, and how to apply. But if you simply want to do a quick check of what you might be entitled to, see our 10-minute Benefits Calculator.
England, Wales and Scotland all follow the same guidelines. Scotland has some extra flexibility when it comes to receiving the payments, known as 'Scottish choices'. Here, you can choose to be paid monthly or twice monthly, and if you get an extra housing payment you can choose to get it in your bank account or paid directly to your landlord.
In Northern Ireland, there's a slightly different system and Universal Credit is normally paid twice a month – though you can choose to be paid monthly. Find out more on the NIdirect website.
Does Universal Credit operate the same way in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Am I eligible for Universal Credit?
If you're unemployed, have been made redundant, are off work due to sickness, or are in work on a low income (including if you're self-employed), you could be entitled to Universal Credit to help you meet your basic living costs.
The following will generally need to apply for you to claim Universal Credit:
You're out of work, or have a low household income.
You're aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you're 16 or 17).
You or your partner are under state pension age.
You have less than £16,000 in savings – if you have a partner, their savings count too. (If you're self-employed, some savings may not count if they're for business purposes. See full info on what counts.
You live in the UK.
Important: Universal Credit is a household benefit, so if you live with a partner, you'll both have to meet the eligibility criteria to qualify.
Think you might be eligible? Some FAQs...
There's no set amount you can earn while claiming Universal Credit. But earnings from work will affect the amount you get.
The Department for Work and Pensions will look at how much you earn over a month-long period called your 'assessment period', and use this amount to figure out how much Universal Credit you are entitled to. Currently, every £1 you earn (after tax and pension contributions) from a job or self-employment will reduce your Universal Credit payment by 55p.
If you have children or are disabled, you can earn up to a particular amount before your payment starts to be reduced. This is called a 'work allowance'. This work allowance is currently £411 a month if you get help towards paying your housing costs, or £684 a month if you don't.
If you have more than £16,000, you won't qualify for Universal Credit. And if you live with your partner, their savings will count towards this total, even if they don't qualify for Universal Credit.
As Universal Credit's a means-tested benefit, your level of income and savings will affect your eligibility and how much you might be entitled to.
Here's how it breaks down:
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Less than £6,000 in savings? It won't count. If you have less than £6,000 in savings you'll have to declare it, but it won't affect how much Universal Credit you'll get.
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Between £6,001 and £16,000? This WILL affect your Universal Credit amount. Savings above £6,000 are treated as if they give you a monthly income of £4.35 for each £250, or part of £250, regardless of whether it does or not. So if you have £6,300 in a savings account, £6,000 of it will be ignored and the other £300 will be treated as if it gives you a monthly income of £8.70.
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More than £16,000? You won't qualify. If you have more than £16,000 saved, you'll stop getting Universal Credit.
Quick question
What counts as savings or capital?
The following DO count as savings or capital:
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Regular savings in your bank account
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Fixed-term savings
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ISAs – including LISAs, stocks & shares ISAs
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If you've taken your private pension as a lump sum before state pension age
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Redundancy pay
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Stocks or shares
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Property you don't live in
The following DOESN'T count as savings or capital:
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A pension pot that hasn't yet been drawn down
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Pension income – this counts as income
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Junior ISAs – money you have already given to your children
If you are or become self-employed, you may be eligible for Universal Credit. You will need to meet the general Universal Credit eligibility criteria and show that you are "gainfully" self-employed. This means that:
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Your self-employment is your main job or source of income.
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You're getting regular work from self-employment.
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Your work is "organised and developed".
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You expect to make a profit.
If you fit these criteria, you'll be supported towards the goal of becoming financially independent. You won't have to look for other work, and you'll have to report 'cash-in' and 'cash-out' payments to the Department for Work and Pensions each month. If you fail to supply these figures, your Universal Credit payment will be paused.
If you aren't considered to be "gainfully self-employed", you'll be required to look for additional employment, or undertake job-related activities such as training days, to qualify for your Universal Credit payment.
The 'minimum income floor'
The main difference with claiming Universal Credit as a self-employed person is that you'll be subject to the 'minimum income floor'. This is the minimum amount which the Government assumes you'll earn.
Your 'minimum income floor' is calculated based on the national minimum wage for someone in your age group, multiplied by the number of hours you're expected to be available for work.
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Earn less than the minimum income floor? You'll usually have to find additional work to top up your income, as Universal Credit won't make up the difference.
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Earn more than the minimum income floor? Your Universal Credit payments will be based on your actual earnings.
Quick questions
How is the minimum income floor calculated?
To calculate your minimum income floor, your expected working hours are multiplied by the hourly national living wage or national minimum wage for your age group, and then calculated as a monthly salary.
If you're aged 21 or over and in employment, you must be paid a legal minimum of £12.21 an hour (for the 2025/26 tax year) – though it'll be less than this if you're younger.
The Department for Work and Pensions then deducts tax and national insurance to work out your minimum income floor. This is deducted at an amount "the Secretary of State deems appropriate", so can differ from case to case.
Who does the minimum income floor apply to?
It doesn't apply to everybody.
You're exempt from it if:
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You look after a child under the age of three.
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You're pregnant or gave birth in the past 15 weeks.
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You're caring for a severely disabled person.
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You've been assessed as having 'limited capacity for work', or 'limited capacity for work-related activity'.
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You're in full-time education.
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You're temporarily too sick to work.
If you start a business while claiming Universal Credit, the minimum income floor won't apply to you for the first 12 months.
Universal Credit is only available for those under state pension age, but if you're part of a "mixed age" couple (where one of you is younger than state pension age), you can still claim Universal Credit.
Remember, though, the amount of Universal Credit you receive is based on your household income. If your partner is claiming their state pension, these payments will be counted as "income" when it comes to working out how much Universal Credit you'll get.
How much can I earn on Universal Credit?
How much can I have in savings and still get Universal Credit?
I'm self-employed – am I eligible for Universal Credit?
My partner is above state pension age, can I still get Universal Credit?
If you already claim benefits you can still get Universal Credit...
You can claim Universal Credit alongside many benefits, such as new-style employment and support allowance and Child Benefit.
For every £1 you get from these benefits (or a private pension), your Universal Credit payment will reduce by £1:
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Bereavement allowance
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Carer's allowance
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Employment and support allowance (new style)
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Incapacity Benefit
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Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
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Jobseeker's allowance (new style)
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Maternity allowance
You can claim these benefits without it affecting the amount you get in Universal Credit:
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Child Benefit
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Disability living allowance
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Income from boarders and lodgers
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Maintenance payments
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Personal independence payment
If you get more than £22,020 a year in total from benefits
If your household gets more than £22,020 (£14,753 for single people without children) in benefits and you live outside of London, you might be subject to the benefits cap. This is the total amount of benefits (some are excluded) your household can receive in a year.
In London, the benefits cap is currently up to £25,323 for couples and families (or £16,967 for single people without children).
Want a better idea of what you'll get? Check using our 10-minute Benefits Calculator
The easiest way to work out how much you'll get is to use our Benefits Calculator, which will also tell you what other benefits you may qualify for too.
If you're currently claiming another low-income benefit, Universal Credit may replace it
Universal Credit is replacing six older benefits. If you're currently claiming one of the following, you'll eventually be moved over to Universal Credit:
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Child Tax Credit
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Housing Benefit
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Income-based jobseeker's allowance
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Income-related employment and support allowance
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Income Support
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Working Tax Credit
You'll be moved over to Universal Credit if you have a change in circumstances (such as moving in with a new partner, or changing job), or as part of a process called 'managed migration', where the Government will ask you to claim UC. This process is expected to be completed for most by the end of 2025, and for all by spring 2026.
How much Universal Credit will I get?
One of the underlying principles of the Universal Credit benefit is that it's a payment based on need. It helps if you think about Universal Credit as like a set of scales:
On one side, you get your standard allowance along with extra payments based on what you need to meet your basic costs.
On the other side, these payments are reduced if you have savings, income from work, get other benefits, or don't fulfil one of your work obligations.
As a result, two people the same age and earning similar amounts could easily be entitled to vastly different amounts based on extra help the Government thinks each needs.
What is the standard allowance?
As a starting point there's a standard allowance, based on age and whether you're single or in a couple. If you're eligible for Universal Credit, this is the basic amount you'll get (before any extras or reductions).
Here's a table showing the Universal Credit standard allowance for 2025/26:
Your circumstances | Monthly allowance |
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Single and under 25 | £316.98 |
Single and 25 or over | £400.14 |
In a couple and both under 25 | £497.55 |
In a couple and either of you is 25 or over | £628.10 |
The Government have confirmed that the Universal Credit standard allowance will increase by 6.2% for 2026/27, with the exception of the standard allowance for people who are single and under 25 which will increase by 6.8%. The new rates will be paid from April 2025. Here's a table showing the Universal Credit standard allowance for 2026/27:
Your circumstances | Monthly allowance |
|---|---|
Single and under 25 | £338.53 |
Single and 25 or over | £424.95 |
In a couple and both under 25 | £528.40 |
In a couple and either of you in 25 or over | £667.04 |
What extra payments could I get?
In addition, Universal Credit offers some people extra help for any of the following (click the links to skip to the content):
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Housing costs – for rent, but mortgage-holders can apply for a 'support for mortgage interest' loan.
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If you care for children.
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If you have a sickness or disability that prevents you from working.
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If you have other caring responsibilities.
Housing costs
If you rent, you'll be able to get an extra payment on top of your standard allowance, to help with your monthly accommodation costs.
There's no set amount you'll get. Instead, the amount you get is set by your age, circumstances and the 'local housing allowance' rate in your area. Want to see what you could get? Check your area's rates.
On top of this, you may also be able to get help with your council tax bill – though this isn't automatic, you'll need to apply.
The local housing allowance (LHA) is how the Government determines how much housing support you're entitled to.
There will be an LHA rate set based on rental prices in your area and the number of rooms you need based on who lives in your household.
If you are single, don't have any dependent children and are aged under 35, you will only be able to get the 'shared accommodation rate' of LHA.
This won't apply and you'll be entitled to the 'one-bedroom rate' if:
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You are under 22 and a care leaver, or
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You are receiving the 'daily living component' of personal independence payment, the 'middle or high care rate' of disability living allowance, or armed forces independence payment, or
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You are over 25 and have been living in a hostel for people who are homeless for three months or more
Otherwise, you will be entitled to one bedroom for each of the following:
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You (and your partner if you have one)
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Any other person over 16, as long as they aren't living with you as your tenant
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Two children under 16 of the same gender
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Two children under 10
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Any other child under 16
For both the 'shared accommodation rate' and regular rate, you can find your LHA for your area using the Government's tool.
What is the local housing allowance?
What about any help if you own your home?
While there are no specific extra amounts available to those who own their home, claiming Universal Credit can open up access to other financial help, such as a council tax reduction, or support for mortgage interest, which are worth exploring if you are struggling.
If you qualify for Universal Credit, it doesn't automatically mean that you can get help with your council tax, but you can apply to your council for a 'council tax reduction'. This is a long-standing discount of up to 100% off bills for those on benefits or a low income. It doesn't matter if you own your own home or rent, or whether you're employed or not. All can apply. Yet what you get depends on:
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Where you live (each council runs its own scheme)
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Your circumstances (for example, income, number of children, benefits, residency status)
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Your income, including savings, pensions and your partner's income
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If children live with you
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If other adults live with you
For more information see the discounts section of our Council tax discounts guide.
If you qualify for Universal Credit, after nine months you can apply for support for mortgage interest (SMI) on up to £200,000 of your mortgage, based on a standard rate of interest – currently 3.66%. This money is paid directly to your lender. This is a loan and not a benefit – this means it must be repaid when you die or sell your home. For more information, see the Gov.uk website.
If you are having difficulty meeting your mortgage payments, you should urgently speak to your lender and see what support it can offer you.
More help can be found in our Mortgage arrears guide.
Help with council tax
Support for mortgage interest payments
Extra financial help if you care for children
If you're looking after a child under the age of 16, you can apply for an extra amount to help with the costs. If you have two children, you'll get extra for your second child. If you have three children you might get an extra payment, but it depends on when they were born.
For your first child:
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£339 a month (born before 6 April 2017)
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£292.81 a month (born on or after 6 April 2017)
For your second child (and any other eligible children):
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£292.81 a month per child
If you have three or more children, you only get an extra amount if any of the following are true:
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They were born before 6 April 2017, and
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You were already claiming for three or more children before 6 April 2017
If you have a disabled or severely disabled child, you get an additional payment:
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£158.76 a month or £495.87 a month (for a severely disabled child)
The Government have announced that, beginning April 2026, you will be able to receive additional Universal Credit payments for each of your children - not just the first two. We will update this guide with the payments you can expect to receive when we know the amounts for 2026/2027.
In Scotland? If you claim Universal Credit (among other means-tested benefits) you could get an extra £27.15 a week for every child you care for under the age of 16. See more in our 10-min benefits check guide.
In work? Universal Credit can also help with up to 85% towards childcare costs
If you're in work, Universal Credit can offer additional help by paying back up to 85% of your childcare costs, no matter how many hours you work. You can get a maximum of £1,031.88 for one child and £1,768.94 for two or more children. You can make the claim through your Universal Credit account and you will need to provide receipts.
You'll need to provide evidence of your costs, such as: a letter from your registered childcare provider, a bank statement proving you've paid your provider, or a cash payment receipt.
While you can make a claim up to three months unless you meet the criteria below, you will only get the money after the childcare has been provided, so even if you pay in one upfront sum, you may get the money paid back to you in smaller instalments over a few assessment periods.
Some claimants can now claim costs upfront
A new feature of Universal Credit is that if you move into work or "significantly increase" your hours, you can be paid a month of childcare costs upfront. The Department for Work and Pensions told us there is no minimum number of hours, but that work coaches may expect at least a few more hours of work every week.
For those entering work: Once you know your start date, you then need to find childcare, get the approximate monthly cost, then submit this via your journal. You will then get the 85% of the first month credited to your account upfront.
For those increasing their hours: Once you know what your next childcare bill will look like, you need to speak to your work coach (via your journal or in person), to start the process.
You can use Childcare Vouchers and Universal Credit together but you CAN'T get Universal Credit at the same time as claiming under the Tax-Free Childcare scheme.
If you're in work, Universal Credit can help by paying back up to 85% of your childcare costs. You can make a claim through your Universal Credit account, but be aware you need to provide receipts and will only be reimbursed after your childcare has taken place.
You can use Universal Credit with Childcare Vouchers, but as you'll only be able to claim on the costs not covered by the vouchers, you may be better off not using the vouchers at all, as Universal Credit will likely contribute more to your costs.
For example, if you've monthly childcare costs of £1,000 and you pay £500 with vouchers, you can only claim back up to 85% of the remaining £500 through Universal Credit: £425.
In contrast, if your childcare cost £1,000 and you only used Universal Credit to pay for it, you could claim back up to £850, so twice as much.
If you were claiming Childcare Vouchers before they were stopped, you can continue to claim them even if you're claiming Universal Credit.
Tax-Free Childcare is a government-backed scheme, launched in 2017. You can switch between Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit if one is better for your circumstances. For more on how the two interact, see our main Tax-Free Childcare guide.
I use Childcare Vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare to help with my childcare costs – can I still claim?
Extra payments if you have a disability or health condition
If you can't work because of sickness or disability, you may be able to claim the 'limited capability for work and work-related activity' element of Universal Credit.
If you have limited capability for work and work-related activity:
• £423.27 a month
If you have limited capability for work:
• £158.76 a month
Did you know? If you have paid enough national insurance contributions, you may also be able to claim new-style employment and support allowance of up to about £92.05 a week. Head to our Benefits Calculator to see how much you could get.
When you apply for Universal Credit, you must fill in whether you've a disability, illness or health condition which means you can't work. This includes physical and mental health issues. If you say yes, you will most likely need to attend a 'work capability assessment' (WCA).
Usually, this will happen around the 29th day of your claim, but there are certain instances where you may be referred to one on the first day – for example, if you're terminally ill or you're not legally allowed to work.
At the WCA, you'll be asked questions about your condition and how it affects your daily life, and how it might vary over time.
Once you've had your assessment, a report will be sent to the Department for Work and Pensions and used by a case worker (along with other evidence you've provided) to make a decision on whether you're:
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Fit to work
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Have limited capacity for work
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Have limited capacity for work and work-related activity
If you're deemed fit enough, you'll need to look for work that's suitable for your condition, and be prepared to work to keep getting Universal Credit.
If you've limited capacity for work, you won't have to look for it straightaway, but you'll need to prepare for working in future, for example by writing a CV. If this is you, you could get an extra £158.76, in some circumstances.
If you're considered to have limited capacity for work and work-related activity, you'll not be expected to look for or prepare for work. If this is you, you could get an extra £416.19 a month.
How do I prove I have a disability, illness or health condition to get the extra payment?
Why your payment might be reduced
Once your standard allowance and your eligibility for extra payments have been worked out, the Government then looks at what you already have, and reduces your Universal Credit payment accordingly.
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Income from work: Currently, for every £1 you earn (after tax and pension contributions), your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by 55p.
If you have children or have a disability, you can earn up to a particular amount before your payment starts to be reduced. This is called a 'work allowance'. It's currently £411 a month if you get help from Universal Credit towards paying your housing costs, or £684 a month if you don't. -
Income from benefits (or a private pension): For every £1 of income you receive from some other benefits (or private pension), your Universal Credit payment will reduce by £1. Some benefits aren't taken into account when your income is worked out, including Child Benefit, disability living allowance, personal independence payment and war pensions. Read the full list of benefits that can reduce your payment.
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Savings: You'll get less Universal Credit if your household has more than £6,000 in savings. If you've savings of £16,000 or more, you won't be eligible for Universal Credit. See a full breakdown of how this works in practice.
Universal Credit payments can also be reduced if you've got debts
Up to 15% of your standard payment (the basic amount of universal credit you're entitled to, before childcare and housing costs are added) can be automatically deducted to pay off certain debts, such as council tax, energy bills, rent or a Universal Credit budgeting advance.
In some cases, you may have more than 15% of your standard allowance taken off, as a ‘last resort deduction’. For example, to meet your child maintenance obligations or to stop you being evicted.
You'll see any deductions used to pay off debts on your Universal Credit statement in your online journal.
If your Universal Credit is being reduced to pay off a debt, but you're struggling financially, contact the DWP or your work coach. Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to reduce the amount taken off your UC each month.
Sanctions
Universal Credit payments can also be reduced if you haven't done something you've agreed to do as part of your 'claimant commitment' (the document you'll write with your Jobcentre coach setting out your responsibilities while claiming Universal Credit).
You can be sanctioned if you, for example:
• Miss an interview
• Reject a job offer
• Don't spend enough time each week searching for a job
If you are single and over 25, sanctions can reduce your Universal Credit payment by £13.10 a day, for as long as your sanction lasts. If you're under 25, sanctions are £10.40 a day.
If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, and just one of you doesn't do something set out in your claimant commitment, your joint payment can be reduced. If you're in a couple and one or both of you are over 25, the sanction is £10.30 a day if only one of you has been sanctioned. If you're both under 25, the sanction for one person not sticking to their claimant commitment is £8.10 a day.
Not sure what you could get? Use our 10-minute Benefits Calculator as a ready reckoner
Our 10-minute Benefits Calculator will give you a good idea of what you're entitled to depending on your circumstances.
How do I apply for Universal Credit?
There is a three-step process to getting your payments:
Step 1. Submit your claim
The quickest way to claim Universal Credit is online.
To start a claim online, you'll need to set up an account. Once this is done, you'll be given a 'to do list' to complete, to submit your claim – this will include tasks such as providing information about where you live, if you're working, and whether you have any caring responsibilities.
If you are part of a couple and living in the same household, you'll make a joint claim for Universal Credit, but you'll both need to set up online accounts first. When one of you has set up an account, you'll be given a code – called a 'linking code' – which can be used by the second person to connect your accounts together.
If you have no access to digital services or have alternative access needs, you can call the free Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. You can also call the helpline if you run into difficulties, or if you need to make a claim in an alternative format such as Braille, large print or audio CD. For Welsh language applications, call 0800 328 1744.
Need help? Citizens Advice also assists Universal Credit applicants. You can call its help-to-claim service on 0800 144 8 444.
What information will I need?
You'll need to provide a range of personal information as part of your claim, so it's helpful to have the following to hand before you start. At the very least, you'll need your:
Contact details
Bank account details
National insurance number
Depending on what's relevant to you, you may also need details of your:
Current employment
Monthly earnings (have a copy of your payslip to hand)
Housing costs
Tenancy agreement
Other income, savings and any other benefits you or your partner receive
Although it goes without saying, make sure you only give correct information as you'll have to provide proof of anything you say in your application.
Once you've entered all the information, you'll be shown an estimate of the amount of Universal Credit you'll get each month. You'll also have to complete a declaration confirming that all the information you've provided is correct.
Step 2. Attend an interview
After a successful online claim, you'll have to visit the Jobcentre and have an interview with your work coach if you want to claim Universal Credit.
You'll be told what information you need to take to the interview, but it'll definitely include physical evidence of details you provided in your claim (for example, your address, how much rent you pay, and how much you earn at work).
Citizens Advice has a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for your interview and examples of documents you may need to take with you.
At this interview you'll have to sign a 'claimant commitment'. This lays out the things you're required to do – such as looking for work or trying to increase your hours – to get your Universal Credit payment. If you don't do something set out in your claimant commitment, your Universal Credit payment can be reduced.
Step 3. Await the outcome
Your payment date is based on the date you applied, usually five weeks after. For example, Sarah applies for Universal Credit on 1 September. Her first assessment period will last until 30 September. She's paid on 7 October and will then be paid on the 7th of every month after that.
England or Wales: You'll be paid once a month.
Scotland: The extra flexibility that comes with what's known as the 'Scottish choices' means you can choose to be paid monthly or fortnightly, and if you get an extra housing payment you can choose to get it in your bank account or paid directly to your landlord.
Northern Ireland: It's a slightly different system and it's normally paid twice a month, though you can choose to be paid monthly. Find out more on the NIdirect website.
Struggling to wait five weeks until your first payment?
You won't get your first payment until about five weeks after making your claim. If you don't have enough money to live on while you wait for your first payment, you can request an advance payment.
Here's how it works:
You need to make the request via your online Universal Credit account, or through your work coach.
You can ask to receive all or part of your first payment.
It's interest-free but works like a loan, and you'll repay it through your regular Universal Credit payments, which will be lower until you pay it back.
You can choose the number of months you want to pay it back over, but it must be fully repaid within 24 months.
You'll usually be told the same day whether or not you'll get an advance, and you'll typically have the money within three working days.
If you're worried that money going into an account you share with your partner may be misused, talk to Citizens Advice before applying. It will be able to advise on whether you may be able to get Universal Credit via an alternative payment arrangement.
For more on this, read Martin's financial abuse blog.
Quick questions
Don't panic. We are hearing this is happening to many frustrated would-be claimants. It will take time; the Department for Work and Pensions is overloaded. But it's told us that Universal Credit staff will see that your form is incomplete and call you. Expect a 'withheld number' or 0800 number.
You can also call the helpline (0800 328 5644) – it is VERY busy but persevere. You can also make a note in your online Universal Credit journal.
British Sign Language (BSL) users can now access Universal Credit using the video relay service on the Gov.uk website. This allows BSL users to contact the Department for Work and Pensions via an interpreter, from a smartphone (excluding Blackberry or Windows phones), computer or tablet.
The service is available 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and you don't need to book in advance. Simply go to the SignVideo service webpage, turn on your microphone and front-facing camera and you'll be connected to a BSL interpreter via video. Explain what you'd like to discuss and the interpreter will telephone the service you require and relay the conversation between you and the other person.
SignVideo has full instructions on how to use its service. You can access it via the Gov.uk link above or download the free SignVideo app on desktop or smartphone (iOS download and Android download).
Mistakes with your Universal Credit can mean you end up getting the wrong amount of money each month. If something looks wrong, act quickly to get it fixed.
Whether you think your initial entitlement is wrong, or if your entitlement is changed after you start claiming, the first thing you should do is contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. If a mistake has been made, it should be rectified while you're on the phone.
If this isn't the case, you can appeal against the decision by asking for a 'mandatory reconsideration'. You must do this within one month of the date of your initial entitlement decision. Read more on making a mandatory reconsideration. If you do decide to appeal, make sure you gather supporting evidence before you do so.
Help! I can't verify my ID online. What do I do?
I need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions but I'm deaf or have hearing loss. What are my options?
What do I do if my Universal Credit payment is wrong?
I'm on Universal Credit – is there any extra help I can get?
You may be able to access the following, depending on your circumstances. It ranges from budgeting advances to help with your energy bills.
1. Budgeting advance
You can get a budgeting advance if you need help with emergency household costs, for example if you need to replace a cooker. You'll pay it back through your Universal Credit payments, which will be lower until it's paid off – much like the advance payment that's also available. If you're struggling to buy food, you might also be able to get a budgeting advance to pay for this – speak to your work coach or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
There are certain criteria you need to meet to qualify for a budgeting advance:
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You must have been receiving Universal Credit for six months or more – unless you need the money to get a job or stay in work.
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You must have earned less than £2,600 in the past six months (or £3,600 if you're part of a couple), and have paid off any previous budgeting advances that you've had.
The smallest amount you can borrow is £100. The maximum amount depends on your circumstances:
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Up to £348 if you're single
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Up to £464 if you're a couple
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Up to £812 if you've children
If you think you qualify for a budgeting advance, talk to your work coach or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
2. Hardship payments
If you're in financial hardship because you've been sanctioned, you can request a hardship payment. This is usually a loan that you can only get if you're struggling to meet your basic needs or those of your children (such as accommodation, heating, food and hygiene costs).
You must be 18 or over to apply, and you need to prove that you've tried to get the money from somewhere else, and that you only spend your money on essentials.
To apply for this, contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
3. Support if you have children
Free school meals
If you're on Universal Credit, your child may qualify for free school meals. It doesn't matter if you're their parent or guardian or not, and recipients of certain other benefits are also eligible.
We go into the full detail of how free school meals work – and the help you can get over the holidays – in our Free school meals guide.
Note: This isn't to be confused with 'universal infant free school meals', available to all schoolchildren (in state-funded schools) from reception to year two. In Scotland, all children in primary one to five are entitled to universal infant free school meals. In Wales, all primary school children in reception are entitled to free school meals.
If your child qualifies for free school meals, they may also be eligible for free transport to school. Eligibility varies by council, but generally your child will have to be attending the nearest suitable school, and travel over two miles to get there. Many councils will provide a travel pass that allows free travel, and some will provide cycle vouchers that can be put towards the cost of a bike. Check whether your child is eligible on the Gov.uk website.
Quick questions
If your child is in year three or above, they will typically be able to get free school meals if you meet the criteria in the following two steps:
Step 1. You are claiming one of these benefits:
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The 'guaranteed element' of Pension Credit
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Income-based jobseeker's allowance
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Income-related employment and support allowance
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Income Support
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Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
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Universal Credit
Step 2. You are earning below a certain amount (these are different depending on where you live):
England
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If you receive Universal Credit, you can earn up to £7,400 a year (in total earnings).
Scotland
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If you receive Universal Credit, you can earn up to £796 a month, as a household.
Northern Ireland
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If you receive Universal Credit, you can earn up to £14,000 a year.
Wales
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If you receive Universal Credit, you can earn up to £7,400 a year.
Free school meals are run by the Department for Education and administered via councils. You need to register via your council, then you and your child's school will be notified of your application.
You must wait until you've had your first Universal Credit payment before applying for free school meals.
For people in England there is a free checker, which should link through to your council's free school meals registration page. We tested this and often were only sent to the council's main homepage – if this is the case, search 'free school meals' in your council's search bar.
You will need your name, date of birth and home address, details about your qualifying benefit claim – you'll be told what evidence you need to submit – and your child's/children's details and school name(s). Here's how to apply in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales (link opens PDF).
For more detailed information on how free school meals work, and how to apply, head to our Free school meals guide.
How does my child qualify for free school meals?
How do I apply for free school meals?
Healthy Start vouchers
Healthy Start is a scheme that offers £4.25 a week on a prepaid card if you're pregnant or have kids under four (£8.50 a week for babies under one), to buy milk and fresh, or frozen, fruit and veg. You can use the card at most big supermarkets as well as some corner shops, greengrocers and market stalls.
To access the scheme, you need to be claiming Universal Credit (or another similar benefit) and have a household income of less than £408 a month. See more info on Healthy Start.
There's a similar scheme in Scotland called Best Start Foods for those who are pregnant or have a child under three. You'll receive £21.20 every four weeks during your pregnancy, and while your child is between the ages of one and four. You'll get £42.40 every four weeks for your child's first year. You can access this scheme if you're claiming Universal Credit. See more info on Best Start Foods.
School uniforms
If you qualify for free school meals, you may be able to get up to £200 a year towards school uniform. For more information, including the full eligibility criteria, check out our school uniform grants MSE News story.
Childcare
There are a range of schemes available to support with the cost of having a child, and childcare. The main ones are:
The Sure Start Maternity Grant (England and Wales): A £500 one-off payment for those on low incomes, to help towards the costs of having a child. You have to claim the grant within 11 weeks of your baby's due date, or within six months of your baby's birth. For more information, see our Maternity grants guide.
Best Start Grant (Scotland): A similar scheme for low-income parents in Scotland. The Best Start Grant is three one-off payments that you'll receive over the course of your child's first years.
Free childcare for children aged three and four: All families in the UK (regardless of income) are entitled to a certain number of hours of free childcare for children between the ages of two and four. There are different rules for each part of the UK – we go into detail in our Childcare costs guide.
In Scotland, there are some additional schemes specifically to support parents with a newborn:
Baby Box: Every new parent in Scotland receives a 'Baby Box' containing clothes, bedding, nappy vouchers, and lots of other things to help with their newborns. Your midwife should fill in a Baby Box registration card with you between your 18 to 20 and 28-week appointment.
Bookbug: Every child in Scotland gets four free Bookbug Bags at regular intervals between their birth and age five. Each bag contains picture books and activities suited to your child's age. You don't need to sign up to get the Bookbug Bags – you should receive them through your health visitor or from your child's nursery or school.
4. Help with energy bills
Rising energy bills are causing substantial stress for many in the UK, and particularly those on low incomes. We cover the support available in the form of grants and local authority discretionary funds in our Housing & energy grants guide.
5. Help with food costs
While there are a range of grants and loans that you can claim to help with essential costs, these often don't go far enough. You may be able to get free or reduced food using apps or coupons such as:
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Olio: An app where individuals and some shops give away food for free that would otherwise be thrown out.
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Too Good To Go: An app where restaurants and shops sell leftover food at reduced prices.
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Approved Foods: A website that sells groceries and household items that are approaching or have passed their 'best before' date for a reduced price (but there is a minimum spend).
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Supermarket coupons: It used to be that you could only get coupons from supermarkets or the backs of newspapers. While these are still great places to find coupons, you can also now find lots online too. For a list of some of the best coupons currently out there – and where to find them – head over to our Supermarket coupons guide.
For more tips on getting food cheaply (or for free), read our How to get cheap food guide.
If you continue to struggle with food costs, foodbanks give out free parcels of food designed to last three days. In many cases you need to be referred to a foodbank by a doctor, social worker or school, but some independent banks don't require a referral.
For advice on how to get help from foodbanks, talk to Citizens Advice.
6. Help with the costs of finding work with the Flexible Support Fund
The 'Flexible Support Fund' was created to help people claiming unemployment benefits to find a job. It's designed to help with the extra costs associated with finding a job such as travelling to interviews, or the upfront cost of purchasing tools and clothing you need to start work.
You may also be able to get help from the Flexible Support Fund for the first month of childcare you need once you find a job.
The Flexible Support Fund is a discretionary payment, and you have no automatic right to it even if you qualify. If you think you might be eligible, talk to your local Jobcentre Plus or your work coach about how you should apply. You should tell them what you need the money for, and give evidence (such as a bank statement or a monthly budget plan), which shows that you can't afford to pay for the items yourself.
In Northern Ireland, the Flexible Support Fund is called the 'Adviser Discretionary Fund'. Talk to your work coach to see if you qualify.
If you're a young person in Scotland, you may also be eligible for additional support from the 'Job Start Payment'. This is a one-off payment of £319.80 (or £511.65 if you are the main carer of a child), designed to help with the costs of getting into work. You may qualify if you're aged 16 to 24, and have been out of work for at least six months. You can apply for the payment online.
7. Free prescriptions, dental treatments and eye tests
If you're on Universal Credit and your earnings were under £435 in the last assessment period, you qualify for free NHS prescriptions, free dental care and free eye tests. This earnings threshold rises to £935 for certain claimants, so check the NHS website for the full eligibility criteria. Recipients of certain other benefits will qualify too.
If you meet any of these criteria and you've spent money on any of these things in the last three months, you can claim it back providing you have the necessary receipts.
8. Cheap broadband and mobile data
There are some cheap broadband and Sim plans that are tailored to those receiving Universal Credit, such as BT Home Essentials and Virgin Media Essentials. While some of these may come with limitations, it's always worth seeing what's out there to see if you can save money on your current bills. Check out the latest discounted social tariffs via our broadband comparison tool.
9. London travel discount
If you're on Universal Credit and you've been unemployed for at least 13 weeks, you may be entitled to a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount card, which gets you 50% off London pay-as-you-go fares on buses, trains, the Tube and more. See the TFL website for a full breakdown of the discount and the eligibility criteria.
10. Grant searching
Hundreds of charities have funds available to give grants to individuals, from one-off sums to help towards the cost of furniture, clothing or improving your quality of life, to regular amounts that can help cover bills and other household expenses.
A good place to start looking for these is our Grant grabbing guide, and Turn2us, which has a tool that allows you to search for available grants, based on your individual circumstances.
You could also ask your local library whether it has a copy of the 'Directory of Grant Making Trusts', which lists charities offering grants, along with the criteria to apply, and their contact information.
Need more in-depth advice or practical support?
If you need extra advice or support or have a specific question that isn't answered in this guide, many other organisations and charities offer detailed guidance and advice. Here are just a few that you may find useful, and please let us know in our forum discussion thread if you find any others that help you.
Turn2us: Help with benefits, searching for grants and accessing support services.
Entitledto: Provides free benefits calculators, plus has tons of guidance on benefits.
Citizens Advice: Guidance for all aspects of Universal Credit.
Gingerbread: Primarily aimed at single-parent families.
Christians Against Poverty: Help with debt, finding work and free courses to get control of your finances.
Many thanks go to Wendy Alcock of Entitledto for fact-checking this guide.
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