Universal Credit is the UK's main working-age benefit. It replaced six older benefits, including Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit (tax credits ended on 5 April 2025). April 2026 brought some of the biggest changes since it launched, and staying up to date matters, especially if you work while claiming.
What changed in April 2026
Rates are monthly and apply from April 2026. Check what you would get with an independent benefits calculator from GOV.UK's list, such as Entitledto or Turn2us.
- Two-child limit ended: from 6 April 2026 the child element can be paid for every child in the household, not just the first two. It is £303.94 a month per child, plus an extra £47.94 for a first child born before 6 April 2017
- Standard allowance rose: to £424.90 a month for a single person aged 25 or over (£338.58 under 25), £666.97 for a couple where one or both are 25 or over and £528.34 if both are under 25
- Health element: for people who report a health condition from 6 April 2026, the extra amount for limited capability for work and work-related activity is £217.26 a month, or £429.80 for those with a severe or lifelong condition or who are terminally ill. Different rules apply if you reported your condition before 6 April 2026
- Carer element: £209.34 a month
UC taper rate and work allowances
The taper rate decides how much UC reduces as you earn. It is 55%: for every £1 you earn above your work allowance, your UC goes down by 55p, so you keep 45p.
A work allowance is the amount you can earn before the taper starts. You only get one if you or your partner are responsible for a child or have a health condition or disability that affects your ability to work. In 2026/27 it is £427 a month if you get help with housing costs (or live in council-arranged temporary accommodation), and £710 a month if not. If neither condition applies, the taper starts from your first pound of earnings.
Moving from legacy benefits
DWP has been moving people from the older benefits to Universal Credit through managed migration. If you still get a legacy benefit and receive a Migration Notice, you will be given a deadline to claim UC, usually three months. If you claim by the deadline, transitional protection can top up your UC to match what you got before, though it can reduce or end if your circumstances change.
- Respond to a Migration Notice promptly: missing the deadline can cause a gap in payments and loss of protection
- Get advice before moving to UC voluntarily, because you would not get transitional protection
- Use a benefits calculator (Entitledto, Turn2us) to check your expected entitlement
UC childcare support
If you are working, UC can cover up to 85% of eligible childcare costs, up to £1,071.09 a month for one child or £1,836.16 for two or more. You usually report the costs after paying them, but if you are starting work or increasing your hours, ask your work coach whether help with upfront costs is available. You cannot use UC childcare support and Tax-Free Childcare at the same time, so compare which is better for you.
Can I save in a Help to Save account while on UC?
What happens to my UC if I have savings over £6,000?
UC and the five-week wait
New claimants usually wait about five weeks for their first payment, because UC is paid monthly in arrears after a one-month assessment period plus up to seven days for the payment to arrive. You can ask for an advance payment, which is a loan repaid from future UC payments; ask for it when you claim if you will struggle. Your local council may also be able to help with emergency support while you wait. A small cash buffer helps here too: SYM can help you build one a little each day once your payments start.
- Universal Credit
- UC 2026
- benefits UK
- DWP
- welfare changes