Universal Credit Calculator (2026/27)
Use this free benefits calculator to estimate how much Universal Credit you could get each month. Tell us about your household, children, health, housing costs, earnings and savings, and we'll add up your elements and apply the work allowance, earnings taper, capital rules and benefit cap using the 2026/27 rates. It's an estimate to help you understand your entitlement, not an official DWP decision.
Get instant help right now
A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Estimate your monthly Universal Credit
Estimate only, using 2026/27 rates. It can't capture every situation (e.g. the self-employed Minimum Income Floor, exact Local Housing Allowance caps, transitional protection, or other income that's deducted pound-for-pound). For an official figure use a full benefits calculator or contact your local Citizens Advice. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.
How Universal Credit is calculated
Your award is built up from a standard allowance plus any elements you qualify for, then reduced for earnings, savings and (in some cases) the benefit cap:
- ✓Maximum UC = standard allowance + child, disabled-child, housing, childcare, carer and health (LCW/LCWRA) elements
- ✓Earnings above your work allowance reduce UC by 55p in the £1 (the taper)
- ✓Savings between £6,000 and £16,000 create a 'tariff income' of £4.35/month per £250 over £6,000
- ✓Savings over £16,000 mean no UC at all
- ✓The benefit cap can limit your total, unless you're exempt (LCWRA, carer element, a disability benefit, or earning enough)
What this calculator can't do
It gives a solid estimate of the core calculation, but a few situations need a full benefits check:
- ✓Self-employment, the Minimum Income Floor can treat you as earning more than you do
- ✓Exact housing support, private rent is capped at the Local Housing Allowance for your area, and social tenants may have a bedroom-tax reduction
- ✓Transitional protection if you were moved from a legacy benefit (e.g. tax credits)
- ✓Other income deducted pound-for-pound (such as certain other benefits or pensions)
Will claiming UC affect my other benefits?
Universal Credit replaced six legacy benefits (income-based JSA and ESA, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit). A few important points:
- ✓PIP and DLA are not affected by UC and don't count as income, and they can increase your UC via the disability elements or exempt you from the benefit cap
- ✓Child Benefit is separate from UC and isn't deducted
- ✓If you currently get a legacy benefit, claiming UC usually ends it permanently, check you'll be better off first
- ✓New-style (contribution-based) JSA and ESA can be paid alongside UC but are deducted pound-for-pound
Get instant help right now
A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
How much Universal Credit will I get in 2026?
It depends on your circumstances. The 2026/27 standard allowance is £424.90/month for a single person aged 25 or over and £666.97 for a couple where one is 25+. On top you may get elements for children (£351.88 first/£303.94 other), disability (LCWRA up to £429.80), caring (£209.34) and housing costs. Earnings above your work allowance then reduce UC by 55%, and savings over £16,000 rule you out. Use the calculator above for a personalised estimate.
How much can I earn before Universal Credit stops?
If you have children, a health element or a caring role, you can earn £404/month (with housing support) or £673/month (without) before your UC reduces. Above that, UC drops by 55p for every £1 you earn. The exact point UC reaches zero depends on the size of your total award, the more elements you get, the more you can earn before it stops.
Does Universal Credit count savings?
Yes. Savings and capital under £6,000 are ignored. Between £6,000 and £16,000, DWP adds an assumed 'tariff income' of £4.35 a month for every £250 (or part) above £6,000, which reduces your UC. If you have more than £16,000 you cannot get Universal Credit.
Does the two-child limit still apply?
No. The two-child limit was abolished on 6 April 2026, so you now receive a child element for every dependent child you're responsible for, including third and subsequent children.
Is this the same as the GOV.UK benefits calculator?
No. This is an independent, free estimate using the published 2026/27 rates to help you understand the calculation. It isn't run by the DWP and doesn't decide your claim. For an official figure use an approved benefits calculator (GOV.UK, Turn2us or entitledto) or get free advice from Citizens Advice.
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