Universal Credit is a benefit you can claim if you’re on a low income or unemployed.
There’s no set level of income where you stop being eligible for Universal Credit - it depends on your situation.
But what if, for example, you live with other people such as your parents?
Well, with help from citizensadvice.com, we can tell you all you need to know.
Pretty honest item on the UK BBC on Labour's decision to cut funding for the winter fuel payment. pic.twitter.com/BdLMuSV5WD
— MSM Monitor (@msm_monitor) August 14, 2024
Who can get Universal Credit?
To get Universal Credit you must:
- In most cases, you have to be 18 years old or over to claim Universal Credit. You cannot claim Universal Credit if you have reached State Pension age.
- live in the UK - there are extra rules if you’re not a British citizen
You must usually have less than £16,000 in savings or other investments - called ‘capital’. Capital doesn’t include your pension pot or the home you live in.
If you live with a partner, their income and capital will be taken into account.
If you have more than £16,000 in capital, you might still be able to get Universal Credit for up to a year. This applies if you get tax credits and you’ve had a letter from the DWP telling you to move to Universal Credit by a certain date.
Recommended reading:
DWP Universal Credit and benefit payment change warning
DWP Universal Credit warning as 184,000 benefits stopped
DWP Universal Credit deductions of £756 a year warning
Can you claim Universal Credit if you live with other people or your parents?
You can get Universal Credit if you’re living with other people but it might affect how much you get. For example, living with parents might mean you get less help with housing costs.
You can get Universal Credit if you’re self-employed - the application process is the same.
Whether you’ll be able to get Universal Credit depends on your situation.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here