Universal Credit Calculator

Your 'standard allowance' is the base amount of Universal Credit before any additions. Single people under 25 get less (£311.68/month) than those 25+ (£393.45/month). Couples get a joint allowance to share. If you're in a couple, you must make a joint claim even if only one of you is working. Your status is based on your living arrangements - if you live with a partner, you're treated as a couple.

You can get a 'child element' (£287.92/month per child) for children you're responsible for. This usually means they live with you. Due to the 'two-child limit' introduced in 2017, you can only claim for the first two children born after April 2017 unless exceptions apply (e.g., twins, adoption, non-consensual conception). Children born before April 2017 are not subject to this limit.

UC can help with rent payments (the 'housing element') up to Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates for your area. For mortgage payers, UC only helps with interest payments (not the capital), and there's usually a 9-month waiting period. Private renters: your housing element is based on LHA rates, which may be less than your actual rent. Social housing tenants: you usually get your full rent covered. Use the LHA rates lookup to check rates for your area.

Enter your NET monthly income - what actually lands in your bank account after tax and National Insurance. This is different from your gross salary. If your income varies month to month, UC is calculated each assessment period based on that month's actual earnings. Self-employed? Enter your monthly profit (income minus allowable expenses). UC uses a 'work allowance' - you can earn some money before your UC starts reducing.