Universal Credit Payments Just Changed: Find Out How Much You Can Get

Universal Credit is a financial support payment that is typically paid monthly. The amount you receive depends on several factors, including your standard allowance, extra amounts based on your circumstances, and any deductions that may apply. This guide explains how Universal Credit payments work and what can affect the amount you receive.

How Much Universal Credit Will You Get?

The total amount of Universal Credit you receive consists of:

1. Your standard allowance
2. Any extra amounts you qualify for (e.g., children, disability, housing costs)
3. Any money deducted from your payment (e.g., savings, other income, benefit cap)

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Use a benefits calculator to estimate how much you might receive.

Standard Allowance for Universal Credit

Your Universal Credit payment includes a standard allowance, which depends on your household situation.

Extra Universal Credit Payments

You may receive additional money if you meet specific criteria.

1. Extra Amounts for Children

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You may receive additional payments for children who live with you until:

• 31 August after their 16th birthday
• 19 years old, if they are in eligible education or training (e.g., GCSEs, A-levels, BTECs, SVQs, NVQs up to Level 3)

Number of Children Covered:

• You can only get extra payments for your first and second child, unless:
  • Your children were born before 6 April 2017
  • You were already claiming for three or more children before 6 April 2017
  • You meet other exceptions

2. Extra Amounts for Disabled Children

If your child has a disability, you can receive an additional monthly amount:

£200 Summer Cost of Living Payments confirmed and Exact Date named

The amount you receive depends on the disability benefits your child gets.

3. Extra Support for Childcare Costs

If you are working, you can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs.

• The childcare provider must be registered.
• Eligible childcare includes nurseries, childminders, after-school clubs, and holiday clubs.
• You must pay upfront and then claim the money back. If you need help paying in advance, speak to your work coach.

4. Extra Payments for Disability or Health Conditions

If you have a disability or health condition that affects your ability to work, you may qualify for an extra amount.

If both partners in a couple have limited capability for work, only one extra amount will be paid.

5. Extra Payments for Caring for Someone

You could receive an extra £198.31 per month if you care for someone who gets any of the following benefits:

• Adult Disability Payment (Standard or Enhanced Award)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Child Disability Payment (Middle or Highest Care Award)
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (Middle or Highest Care Rate)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (Daily Living Component)

To qualify, you must provide at least 35 hours of care per week.

Universal Credit for Housing Costs

Universal Credit may cover rent and some service charges. If you are a homeowner, you might be able to apply for a loan to help with mortgage interest payments.

Deductions from Your Universal Credit Payment

Your payment may be reduced if you:

• Are repaying an advance on your Universal Credit
• Have been overpaid benefits in the past
• Owe money for Council Tax, court fines, or utility bills
• Earn money from work (affecting your payment)
• Receive certain other benefits
• Have over £6,000 in savings and investments

Savings and Investment Deductions

If you have more than £6,000 in savings, your Universal Credit is reduced by £4.35 for every £250 you have between £6,000 and £16,000.

If you have over £16,000, you are not eligible for Universal Credit.

How Other Benefits Affect Universal Credit

If you receive any of the following benefits, your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by the same amount:

• Armed Forces Pensions
• Carer’s Allowance
• Carer Support Payment (Scotland)
• Incapacity Benefit
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Maternity Allowance
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• State Pension
• Widowed Mother’s or Parent’s Allowance

Moving to Universal Credit from Other Benefits

If you apply for Universal Credit, you will continue receiving your previous benefit for two more weeks. This applies if you were receiving:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit

These extra payments do not need to be repaid and won’t reduce your Universal Credit amount.

If you receive a Migration Notice, you may also qualify for a ‘transitional protection’ payment.

Universal Credit provides financial support to individuals and families based on their income, work status, health, and childcare needs. The total payment depends on the standard allowance, extra amounts, and any deductions. If you’re transitioning from other benefits, you may receive temporary extra payments. To find out how much you could receive, use a benefits calculator and ensure you claim everything you’re entitled to.

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