Who can claim Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a payment for people over 18 but under State Pension age who are on a low income or out of work. In some circumstances you can claim if you are 16 or 17, in full-time training or a full-time student.
Other benefits you may be able to get
You may be able to get other benefits. If you or your partner get any of the following benefits, the amount you get will be taken off your Universal Credit payments.
- Carer's Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (parts of Constant Attendance Allowance and Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance may not be included
- Maternity Allowance
- State Pension
- Widowed Parent's Allowance
- New Style Jobseeker's Allowance
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance
Universal Credit eligibility
To get Universal Credit, you must:
- be aged 18 or over (16 or 17 in certain circumstances)
- be under State Pension age
- not be in full time education or training (unless exceptions apply)
- not have savings over £16,000
You’ll get less Universal Credit if you have savings over £6,000 or you earn enough money to cover your basic living costs.
Claiming as a couple
If you live with a partner as a couple you will need to make a joint claim. You will be treated as a couple if you and your partner are:
- married to each other
- in a civil partnership
- living together as if you were married
You will both need to create a Universal Credit account. The first person to create their account will be given a partner code, which will be displayed on the screen.
When the second person creates their account, they will need to input this partner code. This makes sure the accounts are joined together and you are correctly claiming as a couple.
Universal Credit is paid into the bank, building society or Credit Union account provided when you set up your account. You can ask for your payments to be split between you and your partner. To do this, contact your work coach through your Universal Credit online account.
More details are available on Universal Credit customer information
If you are 16 or 17
If you are 16 or 17 you can get Universal Credit if any of the following apply:
- you have limited capability for work or you have medical evidence and are waiting for a Work Capability Assessment
- you are a carer for a severely disabled person
- you are single and responsible for a child
- you are part of a couple who are responsible for at least one child, and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit
- you are at least 29 weeks pregnant
- you have had a child in the last 15 weeks
- you don’t have parental support (for example, you don’t have parents and you’re not under local authority care)
If you are in training or studying full-time
You cannot usually get Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time. However there are some exceptions.
If you are studying or training full time you can find out more information on Claiming Universal Credit if you're a student
Further information is also available at your local Jobs & Benefits office or you can phone the Universal Credit Service Centre
If you're State Pension age but your partner is not
If you live with a partner who is under the qualifying age for State Pension and is eligible for Universal Credit you can still make a joint claim for Universal Credit.
If you get Severe Disability Premium
From February 2021 if you are receiving Severe Disability Premium and you have a change in your circumstances, you may move onto Universal Credit. You will be eligible for transitional payments to make sure you don’t lose money when you move. This known as Transitional Protection.
You must report any changes in your circumstances to make sure you are getting the right payments.
Moving to Universal Credit from another benefit
When you claim Universal Credit, any benefits it replaces will stop.
If you are considering a move to Universal Credit from another benefit, you should also seek independent advice before making a claim for Universal Credit.
You can also use a benefit calculator to check how much you may get.
If you are a Frontier or cross border worker
Frontier/Cross-border worker is a term used to describe a person who pursues employment in one country while residing in another country.
If you live in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) but work in Northern Ireland you may make a claim to Universal Credit as a frontier/cross border worker.
You can read further information on Frontier and cross border workers claiming Universal Credit or speak with the Universal Credit Service Centre.
You're an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen living in Northern Ireland
If you are a British or Irish citizen living in Northern Ireland and receiving social security benefits or State Pension after the UK left the EU on 1 January 2021 you will continue to receive your benefit payments. You do not need to do anything.
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in Northern Ireland on or before 31 December 2020 you can only access social security benefits if you have been granted settled status or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline to apply to the scheme was 30 June 2021 for most people, but you might still be able to apply for EU Settled Status.
You will need an eVisa to provide proof of your identity and eligibility to apply for benefits.
An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status which replaces older Biometric Residence Permits. Find out more on how to apply for an eVisa.
Crown servants or a member of the Armed Forces
Crown servants and members of His Majesty’s Forces posted overseas do not have to live in Northern Ireland to claim Universal Credit provided they:
- are performing duties overseas as part of their employment as a Crown servant/member of HM Forces
and
- were living in the UK immediately before their first posting overseas
If you are an asylum seeker or refugee
Your local Jobs and Benefits office will be able to help you with Universal Credit and other benefits if you are an asylum seeker or refugee living in Northern Ireland.
Apply for Universal Credit if you are eligible
If you are eligible to claim, you can create an account and apply online for Universal Credit
Help and support
If you would like independent help and advice on Universal Credit, or any of the other welfare changes, you can visit any independent advice office or contact: