Is there a free benefits calculator I can use?

Before you start

A calculator gives you an estimate, not a decision. It is only as good as the details you put in. Have these ready:

• savings, for you and any partner
• income, including your partner's
• benefits and pensions you already get
• rent or mortgage, and childcare costs
• your Council Tax bill

The calculators may not be accurate if you are a student, a prisoner, on strike, in permanent residential care, living outside the UK, or not a British or Irish citizen. If that is you, get advice instead.

Universal Credit amounts the calculators use (2026/27)

Universal Credit is the main benefit for working-age people on a low income. These are the monthly amounts from April 2026.

How earnings change the amount

For every £1 you earn, Universal Credit goes down by 55p. If you have children or a health condition that limits your work, you get a "work allowance" first. This is the amount you can earn before your payment starts to go down:

• £427 a month if you get help with housing costs
• £710 a month if you do not

Savings over £6,000 also reduce your payment. Above £16,000 you usually cannot get Universal Credit.

Worked example 1: single person, no children

Sam is 30, lives alone, gets no help with housing costs and earns £500 a month. He has no work allowance.

• Standard amount: £424.90
• Earnings reduction: £500 x 55% = £275.00
• Universal Credit: £424.90 minus £275.00 = £149.90 a month

Worked example 2: couple with two children

A couple, both over 25, have two children born after 6 April 2017. They get no housing help. One partner earns £1,200 a month.

• Maximum amount: £666.97 + (2 x £303.94) = £1,274.85
• Earnings over the £710 work allowance: £490
• Reduction: £490 x 55% = £269.50
• Universal Credit: £1,005.35 a month

A calculator does these sums for you and takes your rent, childcare and Council Tax into account.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

• Northern Ireland: nidirect has its own anonymous calculator for savings, income and outgoings. It says its figures are only an estimate and suggests getting independent advice to confirm.
• Scotland: some disability and carer benefits are run by Social Security Scotland, for example Child Disability Payment and Carer Support Payment.

Related guides

• How can I work out how much Universal Credit I will get?
• How do I work out how much Pension Credit I could get?
• What are the benefit rates for 2026/27?
• Am I eligible for Universal Credit?

Where these figures come from

• Benefits calculators (GOV.UK)
• Universal Credit: what you'll get
• Universal Credit: how your wages affect your payments
• Benefits calculator (nidirect)

Rates apply from April 2026 to April 2027.