What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is money that helps people aged 16 to 66 with paying for things like housing and everyday living expenses. The amount you get is based on your income, but you do not have to be working to get it. Universal Credit needs to be claimed online and is paid monthly in arrears.
Universal Credit has replaced lots of older benefits such as Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. These older benefits are now referred to as legacy benefits. Although you may still be getting these benefits now, it’s not possible to make new claims for them.
The benefits which are not being replaced by Universal Credit are still available.
Can single parents claim Universal Credit?
If you’re a single parent aged between 16 and the current State Pension age, you can apply for Universal Credit. As the State Pension age increases over time, so will the maximum age at which you can claim Universal Credit. The current State Pension age is 66 for both men and women. This is set to increase to 67 years old between 2026 and 2028.
Pregnant women aged 16 and over can claim Universal Credit from 11 weeks before their baby is due.
You will be expected to take steps to find work if you get Universal Credit. This is called ‘work related activity’. What you must do depends on the age of your children and any health issues you or your children have.