Who can claim Universal Credit and how much do you get paid?
Universal Credit is a government-run scheme that assists people on low incomes, and those who are out of work or unable to, with their living costs.
It is paid monthly in the UK, although sometimes it is paid twice monthly in Scotland.
This month is set to see an increase for families on Universal Credit, as from June 28 they can claim more back on childcare costs.
The amount parents can claim back will rise almost 50% to £951 for one child and £1,630 for two or more children.
This is up from the previous caps of £646 for one child or £1,108 for two or more children.
Universal Credit replaced six previous benefits and tax credits – Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Working Tax Credit.
For those that may want to apply, you may wonder how much you receive on Universal Credit, and who is eligible.
Here is everything you need to know.
Who is eligible for universal credit?
There are currently 5.7 million Universal Credit claimants in Great Britain, according to government figures, with 2 million of these people actively seeking work.
You may be eligible for Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with living costs.
This could be because you are out of work, working part-time or in self-employment, or are unable to work, due to your health.
In the spring Budget, back in March, the Chancellor announced that there will be more sanctions for people receiving UC who ‘do not look for or actively take up employment’, and the government ‘will increase work search requirements’ for those on the benefit.
It will also ‘strengthen job support for claimants that are lead carers of young children who currently have no or limited requirements to search for and prepare for work’.
In order to claim Universal Credit, The Gov.UK website states that you must:
- Live in the UK
- Be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
- Be under the State Pension age
- Have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments
More information on Universal Credit is available on the dedicated government web page.
How much can you earn on universal credit?
What you receive from UC will depend on your circumstances and earnings.
The best way to determine what benefits you are entitled to is by using the government Benefit Calculators.
However, currently, the Gov.UK website states that the standard allowance per household per month stands at:
- If you’re single and under 25, you’ll receive £292.11 (or £368.74 if you’re single and 25+)
- If you live with your partner and you’re both under 25, you’ll receive a combined £458.51
- If you live with your partner, and one or both of you are over 25, you’ll receive a combined £578.82
If you have children, you will get an extra £315.00 a month for your first child (if they were born before 6 April 2017) or £269.58 (if they were born on or after 6 April 2017).
For your second child and for any other children you will get an extra £269.58 per child, per month.
If you have a child that is disabled you will get an extra £146.31 a month and you will get an extra £456.89 if your child is severely disabled.
If you are disabled and are unable to work, you can get £390.06 a month.
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