UK Benefits Entitlement Estimator

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with living costs. You may be eligible if you are on a low income or out of work, are 18 or over (some exceptions for 16-17), are under State Pension age, and have less than £16,000 in savings. It replaces six legacy benefits including Housing Benefit, Income Support, and Tax Credits.

Universal Credit starts with a standard allowance based on your age and household status. Additional elements are added for children, housing costs, disability, and caring responsibilities. If you are working, 55p is deducted for every £1 you earn above a work allowance. The work allowance is £404/month if you receive the housing element, or £673/month if you do not.

Yes. Universal Credit is designed so that you are always better off in work. The taper rate means you keep 45p of every extra £1 you earn. Child Benefit is available regardless of employment status. Free childcare hours require both parents to be working (in two-parent households).

If either parent earns between £60,000 and £80,000, you must repay some Child Benefit through a tax charge. At £80,000 or above, you repay 100%. You can still claim and not receive payment to protect your National Insurance record and your child's NI number.

All 3-4 year olds get 15 free hours. Working parents earning under £100,000 each can get 30 free hours for 3-4 year olds. From 2024, working parents can get 15 hours for 2 year olds, and from September 2025, 15 hours for children from 9 months. Childcare is term-time only (38 weeks/year) unless your provider offers stretched hours.

You may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) regardless of your income or savings. If claiming Universal Credit, you may receive a limited capability for work element (£390.06/month) or limited capability for work-related activity element. You should also check for Disability Living Allowance, Access to Work, and council tax disability reduction.

Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 (single) or £332.95 (couple) if you are over State Pension age. Even if you only qualify for a small amount, it unlocks free TV licence (over 75), full Council Tax Reduction, Cold Weather Payments, and help with NHS costs. It is worth applying even for small amounts.

Most benefits can be applied for online at gov.uk. Universal Credit is applied for through the UC online journal. Child Benefit has a postal form (CH2). Pension Credit can be claimed by phone (0800 99 1234). Council Tax Reduction is through your local council. You can also get help from Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848).

For Universal Credit, savings over £6,000 reduce your payment (by £4.35/month for every £250 over £6,000), and savings over £16,000 disqualify you entirely. Pension Credit has no upper savings limit but savings over £10,000 are treated as income. Child Benefit is not affected by savings.

Universal Credit takes about 5 weeks from application to first payment. You can request an advance payment if you cannot wait. Child Benefit takes up to 12 weeks but is backdated. Pension Credit can be backdated up to 3 months. If you are in financial hardship, ask your Jobcentre about short-term advances or hardship payments.