Universal credit

Standard allowance (2024/25)

Circumstances Monthly standard amount
Single and under 25 £311.68
Single and 25 and over £393.45
In a couple and both under 25 £489.23 (total for both)
In a couple and either are 25 or over £617.60 (total for both)

Extra amounts (2024/25)

If eligible this is paid on top of the standard allowance.

How much for Extra monthly amount
First child £333.33 (born before 6 April 2017)
£287.92 (born on or after 6 April 2017)
Second child and any other eligible children1 £287.92 per child
A disabled or severely disabled child £156.11 or £487.58
Help with childcare costs Up to 85% of costs (up to £1,014.63 for one child and £1,739.37 for 2 or more children)
If limited capability for work and work-related activity £416.19
If limited capability for work and has started health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017 £156.11
If caring for a severely disabled person £198.31

Standard allowance (2023/24)

Circumstances Monthly standard allowance
Single and under 25 £292.11
Single and 25 or over £368.74
In a couple and both under 25 £458.51 (total for both)
In a couple and either are 25 or over £578.82 (total for both)

 

Extra amounts (2023/24)

If eligible this is paid on top of the standard allowance.

How much for Extra monthly amount
First child £315.00 (born before 6 April 2017)
£269.58 (born on or after 6 April 2017)
Second child and any other eligible children 1 £269.58 per child
A disabled or severely disabled child £146.31 or £456.89
Help with childcare costs Up to 85% of costs (up to £950.92 for one child and £1,630.15 for 2 or more children)
If limited capability for work and work-related activity £390.06
If limited capability for work and has started health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017 £146.31
If caring for a severely disabled person £185.86

Standard allowance (2022/23)

Circumstances Monthly standard allowance
Single and under 25 £265.31
Single and 25 or over £334.91
In a couple and both under 25 £416.45 (total for both)
In a couple and either are 25 or over £525.75 (total for both)

 

Extra amounts (2022/23)

If eligible this is paid on top of the standard allowance.

How much for Extra monthly amount
First child £290.00 (born before 6 April 2017)
£244.58 (born on or after 6 April 2017)
Second child and any other eligible children1 £244.58 per child
A disabled or severely disabled child £132.89 or £414.88
Help with childcare costs Up to 85% of costs (up to £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for 2 or more children)
If limited capability for work and work-related activity £354.28
If limited capability for work and has started health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017 £132.89
If caring for a severely disabled person £168.81

 

Standard allowance (2021/22)

Circumstances Monthly standard allowance
Single and under 25 £257.33
Single and 25 or over £324.84
In a couple and both under 25 £403.93 (total for both)
In a couple and either are 25 or over £509.91 (total for both)

 

Extra amounts (2021/22)

If eligible this is paid on top of the standard allowance.

How much for Extra monthly amount
First child £282.50 (born before 6 April 2017)
£237.08 (born on or after 6 April 2017)
Second child and any other eligible children1 £237.08 per child
A disabled or severely disabled child £128.89 or £402.41
Help with childcare costs Up to 85% of costs (up to £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for 2 or more children)
If limited capability for work and work-related activity £343.63
If limited capability for work and has started health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017 £128.89
If caring for a severely disabled person £163.73

 

Standard allowance (2020/21)

Circumstances Monthly standard allowance
Single and under 25 £256.05
Single and 25 or over £323.22
In a couple and both under 25 £401.92 (total for both)
In a couple and either are 25 or over £507.37 (total for both)

 

Extra amounts (2020/21)

If eligible this is paid on top of the standard allowance.

How much for Extra monthly amount
First child £281.25 (born before 6 April 2017)
£235.83 (born on or after 6 April 2017)
Second child and any other eligible children1 £235.83 per child
A disabled or severely disabled child £128.25 or £400.29
Help with childcare costs Up to 85% of costs (up to £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for 2 or more children)
If limited capability for work and work-related activity £341.92
If limited capability for work and has started health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017 £128.25
If caring for a severely disabled person £162.92

 

Footnote

1 If the claimant has 3 or more children, they’ll get an extra amount for at least 2 children. They'll get an extra amount for any disabled or severely disabled child - no matter how many children they have or when they were born. They can only get an extra amount for more non-disabled children if any of the following are true:

  • their children were born before 6 April 2017
  • they were already claiming for 3 or more children before 6 April 2017
  • other exceptions apply

More information can be found on the Government's website