Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a benefit for people of working age, in or out of work. It can be claimed online (digitally) and there is no paper claim form.

Universal Credit does not depend on your National Insurance Contributions, but it does take your means (income, savings and other capital) into account. You can claim Universal Credit if you are sick or disabled or have caring responsibilities. This includes if you have cystic fibrosis or are caring for someone with cystic fibrosis as this may affect whether you can work or the hours you can work.

Universal Credit was introduced in stages across Great Britain and has replaced the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

The only exception is that you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if: 

• you have reached State Pension age, or
• you’re in supported, sheltered, or temporary housing.

Universal Credit differs from the previous system in several ways:

1. It’s monthly – Universal Credit is assessed according to your circumstances over one calendar month and then payment is made in one-monthly sum. ‘Alternative payment arrangements’ of Universal Credit can be made for people who struggle to manage their money. These arrangements could include being paid twice a month, having your rent paid directly to your landlord or having a payment split between you and your partner.

2. There are no rules about the number of hours you can work. Your household income, however, will affect the amount of Universal Credit you receive.

3. You will have to sign a ‘claimant commitment’ agreeing to look for work. If you are not considered to be working enough hours already you may be asked to look for more work, or you may have your benefits sanctioned.

If your Universal Credit claim has been refused, the first step is asking for a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. A mandatory reconsideration should be requested within one month of the date of the decision letter. If you are out of time you can still, ask for a mandatory reconsideration if you have special reasons why the time limit should be extended.

If the outcome from your mandatory reconsideration is negative, the next step is to appeal. The time limit to appeal is one month, but you can ask for a ‘late appeal’ if you need to.

Decisions about sanctions can also be challenged using the same processes.

You may wish to seek further advice from our helpline, your Specialist Social Worker or a local Advice Agency (Citizens Advice for example) to help you with checking the DWP’s decision.

After you apply it can take five weeks for you to get your first Universal Credit payment.

After your first Universal Credit payment, you will be paid monthly.

If you think you won’t have enough money to live on, you can ask for an advance payment of Universal Credit, but this has to be repaid from your benefit when you start to get this.

In Scotland, you can choose to have it paid twice a month. Outside of Scotland, you can ask for it to be paid twice-monthly, but this might be refused. In Northern Ireland, you are paid twice per month, but you can request it once a month.

There are a few different resources you can access about Universal Credit and to make the process of applying for it easier.

1. Find out more about what Universal Credit is and how you can claim it.

2. Take a look at the amounts that you might be paid.

3. If your disability/health condition limits your capability for work, you can still claim, but you will need a sick note (fit-note) from your doctor and will be asked to go through a Work Capability Assessment process. Find out more about health conditions, disability and Universal Credit [gov.uk].

1. Standard Allowance Increase

• The basic Universal Credit amount (standard allowance) will rise.
• Your monthly payment is your standard allowance and any extra amounts based on your circumstances. This could be child elements or a carer's element, for example.

2. For those with a health condition or disability that affects their ability to work

• If you already receive the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element, you should not be affected.
• However, the LCWRA amount will be paid at a lower rate for most new claimants (those not already receiving it).

If you would like to understand how this could affect you and how to claim this extra element, please contact our Helpline or your social worker and ask for benefits advice.

Additional elements for a health condition/disability

If you have a long-term health condition or a disability, you might be able to get an additional payment with your Universal Credit. It’s called the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element. 

This is currently £429.80 each month. If you were getting this element before 6 April 2026, you will continue to get this, and it could only change in future if you no longer qualify for this or UC. 

The element is £217.26 a month from 6 April 2026 for those that qualify for it after this date.

3. The end of the Two-Child Limit for families that have three or more children

From 6 April 2026, the rules changed about how many child elements families can receive on Universal Credit. This means families with more than 2 children may see an increase in their household income.

What do families need to do?

• If you already get UC

You need to make sure that all of your children are registered on your Universal Credit claim. The DWP can only add the additional child elements to your claim if they know about all of the children in the household. You can check this on your online claim or by calling the UC Helpline.

• If you don’t get UC and have low household income

It may be worth making a new claim for UC [gov.uk] as you may be eligible from 6 April. Speak to a benefits adviser, your CF Social Worker, or our Helpline, who can arrange a benefits check. 

Our Helpline, Welfare Officer, or Welfare and Rights Advisor can advise you further.

Take a look at more information on applying for benefits and the other support we provide, including emergency grants, health and wellbeing grants, and holiday grants.