How can I work out how much Universal Credit I will get?

For people who want to estimate how much Universal Credit they could get.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Use one of the free, anonymous benefits calculators listed on GOV.UK, or work it out yourself from the 2026/27 monthly amounts.

Start with a standard allowance, such as £424.90 a month if you are single and 25 or over.
Add extra amounts for children, housing, caring, health or childcare.
Take off 55p for every £1 you earn above any work allowance.
Take off other income like Carer's Allowance, and £4.35 a month per £250 of savings over £6,000.
Have payslips, rent, Council Tax and savings details ready.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Free calculators listed on GOV.UK
Single 25+: £424.90 a month
55p off for every £1 earned
Work allowance £427 or £710

Step 1: your standard allowance (2026/27)

Your situation	Per month	Per year
Single, under 25	£338.58	£4,062.96
Single, 25 or over	£424.90	£5,098.80
Couple, both under 25	£528.34	£6,340.08
Couple, one or both 25 or over	£666.97	£8,003.64

Step 2: add any extra amounts

Extra amount	Per month
Each child	£303.94
Extra if your first child was born before 6 April 2017	£47.94
Disabled child (lower or higher)	£164.79 or £514.71
Health amount (limited capability for work and work-related activity)	£217.26 or £429.80
Carer (35 hours or more a week)	£209.34
Childcare	Up to 85% of costs, max £1,071.09 (1 child) or £1,836.16 (2 or more)
Housing	Your eligible rent

Since 6 April 2026 there is no two-child limit, so the child amount is paid for every child.

Step 3: take off earnings

If you have children or a health condition that affects your work, you get a work allowance. This is the amount you can earn before your payment starts to go down:

£427 a month if your Universal Credit includes housing help
£710 a month if it does not

Above that, and for everyone without a work allowance, your payment goes down by 55p for every £1 you earn.

Step 4: take off other income and savings

Some benefits are taken off pound for pound, such as Carer's Allowance, New Style JSA or ESA, and State Pension. If your savings are over £6,000, £4.35 a month is taken off for every £250 (or part of £250). Over £16,000 you cannot usually claim.

Worked example 1: single, no children

Sam is 30 and single. He earns £500 a month and has no housing costs in the claim.

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

Worked example 2: lone parent renting

Priya is 28 with 2 children born after April 2017. Her rent is £700 a month, and we assume all of it is allowed. She earns £1,000 a month.

Standard allowance £424.90 + children £607.88 + housing £700 = £1,732.78
Work allowance £427, so £573 of her pay counts
Earnings reduction: £573 x 55% = £315.15
Universal Credit: £1,417.63 a month

Using an online calculator

GOV.UK lists independent calculators that are free and anonymous. Have ready your income and your partner's (payslips), any benefits or pensions, your savings, your rent or mortgage, childcare costs and your Council Tax bill. You cannot use them if you are under 18, and they may not give a correct answer if you are a student, living outside the UK, or living permanently in a care home.

Things that can change the answer

The benefit cap can limit your total benefits.
Debts such as advances can be taken off your payment.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Use a benefits calculator

Common questions

Is there an official Universal Credit calculator?

GOV.UK links to independent benefits calculators that are free and anonymous to use.

How much can I earn before my Universal Credit goes down?

If you have children or a health condition, you can earn £427 a month (with housing help) or £710 (without) before it reduces. Otherwise every £1 earned reduces it by 55p.

Official sources

1.Benefits calculators (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
2.Universal Credit: what you'll get (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get
3.Universal Credit: how your wages affect your payments (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-your-wages-affect-your-payments

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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