UNIVERSAL CREDIT
Tax credits are payments from the government to help people on low income. Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit have been replaced by Universal Credit for most people.
Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with living costs to those who are unemployed or on a low income.
It replaces and combines six benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
You cannot claim Universal Credit, if you currently receive any of these benefits.
There is no need for you to move to Universal Credit, until The Department for Work and Pensions get in touch with you. You will need to claim Universal Credit in case your circumstances change.
You may be eligible to get Universal Credit if:
- you’re on a low income or out of work
- you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
- you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is)
- you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
- you live in the UK
The number of children you have may affect how much you get, but your eligibility for Universal Credit will not be affected by this.
If you live together with your partner who are not eligible to claim Universal Credit, their income and personal savings will be taken into account anyway.
The amount of Universal Credit that you get depends on your circumstances and is calculated each month. It includes a standard allowance and any other amounts that apply to you.
Standard allowance
Your circumstances |
Monthly standard allowance |
Single and under 25 |
£290.11 |
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
If you have children
How much you’ll get |
Extra monthly amount |
For your first child |
£315.00 (born before 6 April 2017) |
For your second child and any other eligible children |
£269.58 per child |
If you have a disabled or severely disabled child |
£146.31 or £456.89 |
If you need help with childcare costs |
up to 85% of your costs (up to £950.92 for one child and £1630.15 for 2 or more children) |
Housing costs
The payment can cover rent and some service charges.
Our friendly team of professional benefits advisers would be happy to assist you in claiming Universal Credit.
Please contact us on 07789758177 / 02082211165, and we will help you find out if you are eligible to get Universal Credit.
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