In the United Kingdom, Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for people who are in or out of work. It replaces six existing benefits, including Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, and Working Tax Credit. It is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Universal Credit is intended to simplify the benefits system and make it easier for people to move into work.
What is Universal Credit meant for?
Universal Credit is a system of support for people who are on a low income or out of work. It replaces six existing benefits, including Jobseeker’s Allowance and Housing Benefit.
The government says that Universal Credit will make sure people are better off at work than on benefits, and will simplify the benefits system.
However, critics say that the roll-out of Universal Credit has been chaotic and that it has pushed some people into poverty.
Who is entitled to Universal Credit?
There are many people who are entitled to Universal Credit. The most common group of people who are eligible for Universal Credit are those who are unemployed or on a low income. However, there are other groups of people who may also be eligible for Universal Credit, such as carers, disabled people and lone parents.
To be eligible for Universal Credit, you must be aged 18 or over and have less than £16,000 in savings. You will also need to have a valid email address and a UK bank account. If you are not sure whether you are eligible for Universal Credit, you can use the eligibility checker on the government website.
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To be eligible you need to;
- 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
How do you make a Universal Credit claim?
You can apply for Universal Credit through the government’s website. If you are filing a joint claim with a partner, just one of you must file the claim, but they must enter information for both of you.
What benefits do you get from Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is intended to simplify the benefits system and make it easier for people to move into work.
Universal Credit works differently from the old benefits – so it’s important to know the differences.
The biggest differences are:
You can receive Universal Credit if you’re unemployed, but if you’re employed, you’ll typically only receive one payment per month rather than weekly or biweekly. Additionally, rather than receiving a separate housing benefit, your rent will typically be paid to you directly as part of your monthly Universal Credit payment.
If you receive Universal Credit you may be able to get some extra support. Here are just a few examples:
- Help with health costs, including prescriptions and dental treatment
- Additional help towards housing payments if your Universal Credit payment is not enough to pay your rent
- Free school meals
- Free early education for two-year-olds
- Sure Start maternity grants
- Cold Weather Payments
- Support with travel costs to attend job interviews or start work
- Support with the provision of clothing to start work
- Support with upfront childcare costs until you receive your first wage
Whether you can receive this extra support will depend on your personal circumstances and, in some cases, where you live.
How much money do you get on Universal Credit?
If you receive Universal Credit, you will be paid a fixed sum once a month. You may be qualified for more money if you require assistance with housing costs, care for children, are a caregiver, or are unable to work due to illness or disability.
The set Universal Credit rates, as per gov.co.uk, are as follows:
| Single & Under 25 | £257.33 a month |
| Single & 25+ | £403.93 a month |
| Couple & both Under 25 | £324.84 a month |
| A couple and either of you is 25 or older | £509.91 a month |
Is Universal Credit the same as benefits?
Universal Credit has replaced these benefits for most people:
- Housing Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
What is considered low income in the UK?
The low-income threshold is less than 60 per cent of the average “net disposable equivalised UK household income”.
People living on 60 per cent of £31,285 will receive approximately £18,771 every year.
This is according to a fact sheet data report released by the Uk government on 26th May 2022.
Universal Credit Calculators
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