Overview

• The Department for Work and Pensions reports eight million people were on Universal Credit in July 2025, up from 6.9 million a year earlier.
• To qualify, applicants must live in the UK, be aged 18 or over, be under State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in savings and investments.
• Couples must submit a joint claim as one household, payments reflect both partners’ income and savings, and awards stop once both partners reach State Pension age.
• Universal Credit is paid monthly, with awards based on a standard allowance, work status, any additional elements, and deductions.
• Current standard monthly allowances are £316.98 for single under‑25s, £400.14 for single 25+, £497.55 for couples both under 25, and £628.10 for couples both 25+; specific exceptions allow some 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds and certain students to claim.