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Universal Credit

Universal Credit (UC) is a working age benefit to help with living and housing costs. It is available to those who are of working age on low income, not working due to illness, disability or have caring commitments.

Universal Credit replaces six existing benefits:

  • Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support

Universal Credit also replaces housing benefit unless:

  • You live in supported, temporary or emergency accommodation
  • You and your partner are both pension credit age

In these circumstances, you may still be eligible to claim housing benefit.

Universal Credit is also a benefit for mixed aged couples where one party of the couple has got to Pension Credit age and the other is still working age.

If you have children, the number of children you have does not affect your eligibility for Universal Credit, but it may affect how much you get.

You will need to make separate claims for Council Tax Support and Free School Meals as they are not part of Universal Credit.