What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people who are on a low income and of working age, whether you are in work or not in work.
It has replaced the following existing benefits, which are now known as "legacy benefits":
- Income support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credit
- Housing benefit
As a means-tested benefit, the amount of UC you will get depends on your income and savings (inculding any partner's income and savings if part of the same benefit households). Contributions-based benefits such as new-style JSA and ESA, remain unaffected by Universal Credit. Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance (Carer Support Payment in Scotland), Bereavement Support Payment and Personal Independence Payment (Adult Disability Payment in Scotland) are also unaffected by Universal Credit and you can continue to claim these benefits.
Universal Credit includes a standard allowance and can include additional amounts for people with limited capability for work or for work-related activity, caring responsibilities; children; children with disabilities and housing costs.
The amount of Universal Credit is set to a maximum award, called the Benefit Cap, to include both daily living costs and housing costs. Some people are exempt from the Benefit Cap, including those that receive DLA (CDP in Scotland), AA or PIP (and their Scotland equivalents) or the support component of ESA, limited capability for work and work related activity in UC, industrial Injuries Benefits (and equivalent war disablement pensions and payments under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme) or a War Widows and War Widowers pension.
If you're making a new claim to means tested benefits, and are of working age or in a mixed aged couple where one member is of working age, they'll have to claim Universal Credit.
Further information can be found on RNIB's Universal Credit webpage.
Updated 07.09.26
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