Universal Credit Calculator
Estimate your monthly Universal Credit award for 2025/26 — standard allowance plus child, housing and disability elements, after the 55% earnings taper. Free, anonymous and built on official DWP rates.
Universal Credit calculator
Build your award element by element. 2025/26 monthly rates.
A guide only — not a benefit award. Confirm on GOV.UK.
How much Universal Credit will I get in 2025/26?
Universal Credit (UC) is the main working-age benefit in England, Scotland and Wales, paid monthly by the Department for Work and Pensions. Your award is not a flat figure — it is assembled from a standard allowance plus extra elements for things like children, rent and ill health, and then reduced according to your earnings and savings. This calculator rebuilds that sum line by line.
A single person aged 25 or over starts from a standard allowance of £400.14 a month. Add roughly £292.81–£339 per child, your eligible rent, and £423.27 if a health condition limits your work. Then subtract 55p for every £1 you earn above your work allowance.
The Universal Credit elements explained
Standard allowance
This is the foundation of every claim. The 2025/26 monthly rates are £400.14 (single, 25+), £316.98 (single, under 25), £628.10 (couple, one or both 25+) and £497.55 (couple, both under 25).
Child element
You get a higher rate of £339.00 for a first or only child born before 6 April 2017, and £292.81 for each other eligible child. Most families are limited to support for two children, with exceptions.
Housing element
If you rent, UC can cover your eligible rent up to the Local Housing Allowance for your area. Our tool treats your entered rent as eligible — your council or landlord rules may cap it lower.
Limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA)
If a Work Capability Assessment finds you have limited capability for work-related activity, an extra £423.27 a month is added.
How earnings reduce Universal Credit
UC tapers gradually so work always pays. After any work allowance (£404/month if your award includes housing, £673/month if not), your maximum award falls by 55p for every extra £1 of net earnings. Savings between £6,000 and £16,000 cut your award by £4.35 per £250; above £16,000 you usually cannot claim.
Worked example. A single parent (25+) with one child and £600 rent has a maximum award of £400.14 + £339.00 + £600 = £1,339.14. If they earn £1,000 take-home, the taper removes 55% of (£1,000 − £404) = £327.80, leaving an estimated £1,011.34 a month.
For the official check, use the free GOV.UK benefits calculators or speak to an adviser at Citizens Advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Universal Credit a month?
The 2025/26 standard allowance is £400.14 for a single person 25 or over and £628.10 for a couple where one or both are 25 or over. Elements for children, rent and disability are added on top, then earnings and savings are deducted.
What is the Universal Credit taper rate for 2025/26?
The taper rate is 55%. After your work allowance, your maximum UC is reduced by 55p for every £1 of net earnings from work.
Can I get Universal Credit if I work full-time?
Possibly. There is no hours limit for UC. Whether you receive anything depends on how much you earn against your maximum award after the taper — higher earners taper down to zero.
How much savings can I have on Universal Credit?
Savings up to £6,000 are ignored. Between £6,000 and £16,000 your award is reduced by £4.35 a month for each £250. Above £16,000 you usually cannot claim UC.
Does this include the housing element?
Yes. Enter your monthly rent and the calculator adds it as a housing element, capped at the rent you enter. Your actual housing support may be limited by Local Housing Allowance rates.