Universal credit

Standard allowance (2025/26)

Circumstances Monthly standard amount
Single and under 25 £316.98
Single and 25 and over £400.14
In a couple and both under 25 £497.55 (total for both)
In a couple and either are 25 or over £628.10 (total for both)

Extra amounts (2025/26)

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

How much for Extra monthly amount
First child £339.00 (born before 6 April 2017)
£292.81 (born on or after 6 April 2017)
Second child and any other eligible children 1 £292.81per child
A disabled or severely disabled child £158.76 or £495.87
Help with childcare costs Up to 85% of costs (up to £1,031.88 for one child and £1,768.94 for 2 or more children)
If limited capability for work and work-related activity £423.27
If limited capability for work and has started health-related Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim before 3 April 2017 £158.76
If caring for a severely disabled person £201.68

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 children 1 £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

Disclaimer

The information provided is based on our current understanding of the relevant legislation and regulations and may be subject to alteration as a result of changes in legislation or practice. Also it may not reflect the options available under a specific product which may not be as wide as legislations and regulations allow.

All references to taxation are based on our understanding of current taxation law and practice and may be affected by future changes in legislation and the individual circumstances of the investor.