Your Universal Credit payment is made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that apply to you, for example if you:
- have children
- have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working
- need help paying your rent
Use a benefits calculator to see how much you could get.
How much Universal Credit you get will depend on your earnings.
Your circumstances are assessed every month. Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for the whole assessment period – not just from the date you report them.
The benefit cap may limit the total amount of benefit you receive.
Updated April 2023
Universal Credit: Your guide to navigating the system and lots you need to know as told by a Work Coac
Ideal publication for advisers and those currently claiming benefits themselves
Standard allowance
| Your circumstances | Monthly standard allowance |
|---|---|
| Single and under 25 | £292.11 |
| Single and 25 or over | £368.74 |
| In a couple and you’re both under 25 | £458.51 (for you both) |
| In a couple and either of you are 25 or over | £578.82 (for you both) |
Extra amounts
You may get more money on top of your standard allowance if you’re eligible.
If you have children
You’ll get an extra amount for your first and second child.
You will not get extra money for any more children unless:
- your children were born before 6 April 2017
- you were already claiming for 3 or more children before 6 April 2017
- other exceptions apply
| How much you’ll get | Extra monthly amount |
|---|---|
| For your first child | £315.00 (born before 6 April 2017) £269.58 (born on or after 6 April 2017) |
| For your second child and any other eligible children | £269.58 per child |
You’ll also get an extra amount if any of your children are disabled. You’re eligible for this extra amount no matter how many children you have.
You’ll get:
- £146.31 if your child is disabled
- £456.89 if your child is severely disabled
Childcare costs
You can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re working. If you live with your partner both of you need to be working, unless one of you is unable to work due to a disability or health condition.
The childcare needs to be from a registered provider. You can get help paying for childcare including nurseries, childminders, breakfast clubs, after school care and holiday clubs.
The most you can get each month is:
- £646.35 for one child
- £1,108.04 for 2 or more children
You need to pay your childcare costs up front and claim the money back as part of your payment. You can get support to help you pay your childcare costs up front. Talk to your work coach after you’ve made your claim.
Read more about childcare costs and Universal Credit.
If you have a disability or health condition
| How much you’ll get | Extra monthly amount |
|---|---|
| If you have limited capability for work and work-related activity | £390.06 |
| If you have limited capability for work and you started your health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017 | £146.31 |
If you get the severe disability premium and you’re moving to Universal Credit, you might also be entitled to a ‘transitional protection’ payment.
Read more about health conditions, disability and Universal Credit.
If you care for someone who gets a health or disability-related benefit
| How much you’ll get | Extra monthly amount |
|---|---|
| If you provide care for at least 35 hours a week for someone who gets a health or disability-related benefit | £185.86 |
This is on top of any extra amount you get if you have a disabled child.
Housing costs
You could get money to help pay your housing costs. The payment can cover rent and some service charges.
If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get a loan to help with interest payments on your mortgage.
Money taken off your payment
Your payments might be reduced if any of the following apply:
- you are paying back an advance on a Universal Credit payment
- you have more than £6,000 in money, savings and investments
- you would get above the amount limited by the benefit cap
- you’ve been overpaid benefits in the past
- you owe money for Council Tax, court fines, electricity, gas, water or Child Maintenance
- you pay your gas or electricity bill directly from your Universal Credit payment
- you have a paid job
- you have other income – for example, money from pensions or certain other benefits
Find out more about money taken off your Universal Credit payment.
Moving to Universal Credit from other benefits
If you’ve applied for Universal Credit, you’ll keep getting your current benefit paid for 2 more weeks. You must still be eligible for your current benefit.
This only applies if you’re getting:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
You will not need to pay back the extra payments and they will not affect the Universal Credit you might get.
Other support you could get
If you receive Universal Credit you may also be able to get other financial support depending on your circumstances.
Updated April 2023