Universal Credit rates 2026/27: how much will I get?
Your Universal Credit is built from a monthly standard allowance — from 6 April 2026, £424.90 for a single person aged 25 or over, or £666.97 for a couple where one is 25 or over — plus extra elements for children, housing, childcare, caring, or a health condition, with deductions for earnings and any debts taken off.
Information only, not legal advice. You can redact names, addresses and reference numbers before uploading.
Start free
Upload this letter
Use a PDF, photo, PNG or TXT file, or paste the wording if you would rather not upload the document.
Minimum 40 characters. Free overview, no email needed.
Reading your letter...
- A detailed plain-English explanation of the letter
- Clear next steps, in order, with deadlines called out
- What could happen if you do nothing
- Your rights, options, and realistic routes to challenge or respond
- Who to contact, what to ask, and what information to keep handy
- A summary emailed to you so you can refer back to it
Secure payment via Stripe · Money-back guarantee · Reply Pack offered only after your breakdown
Your Universal Credit is built from a monthly standard allowance — from 6 April 2026, £424.90 for a single person aged 25 or over, or £666.97 for a couple where one is 25 or over — plus extra elements for children, housing, childcare, caring, or a health condition, with deductions for earnings and any debts taken off.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · Written in plain English, checked against gov.uk · Information only, not legal advice
Universal Credit rates 2026/27: the essentials
- Single, 25 or over£424.90 / month
- Single, under 25£338.58 / month
- Couple, one/both 25+£666.97 / month
- Couple, both under 25£528.34 / month
- Plus elementsChildren, housing, childcare, carer, health — added on top
What are the 2026/27 standard allowance rates?
The standard allowance is the basic amount of Universal Credit before any extras or deductions. From 6 April 2026 the monthly rates are £338.58 for a single person under 25, £424.90 for a single person aged 25 or over, £528.34 for a couple both under 25, and £666.97 for a couple where one or both are 25 or over. These rates rose in April 2026 in line with the annual uprating.
How your full Universal Credit award is worked out
Your maximum UC is the standard allowance plus any elements you qualify for: a child element for each child (the two-child limit was removed in April 2026), a housing element towards rent, help with childcare costs, a carer element, and a health element if a condition limits your ability to work. From that total, the DWP takes off 55p for every £1 you earn above any work allowance, and any deductions for debts — leaving your actual monthly payment.
Why your payment may differ from the headline rates
Two people on the same standard allowance can receive very different amounts, because the elements and deductions change everything. Earnings reduce your award through the 55% taper; the benefit cap can limit the total for some households; and deductions for advances, overpayments, or arrears (capped at 15% of the standard allowance for most) come off the end figure. To estimate your own entitlement, a free benefits calculator from Turn2us or entitledto is the most reliable guide.
What happens if you ignore it?
These figures are for guidance — your own award depends on your full circumstances, so the useful next step is to check what you specifically could get. Free, independent benefits calculators (Turn2us, entitledto) give a personalised estimate in a few minutes, and are worth using if you think your payment looks wrong or you are not sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to.
Got a letter about your payments?
If a letter or statement changed your payments and you're not sure why, upload it for a free overview — we'll tell you what it is, any deadline, and how urgent it really is. No email, no card.
Check a letter — freeFrequently asked questions
How much is Universal Credit a month in 2026?
The standard allowance from April 2026 is £424.90/month for a single person 25 or over and £666.97 for a couple where one is 25 or over, before extra elements and deductions.
Do the rates go up every year?
Yes — Universal Credit rates are reviewed each year and normally increase in April. The figures here are the 2026/27 rates.
How do I find out my exact entitlement?
Use a free benefits calculator such as Turn2us or entitledto, which factors in your children, housing, earnings and circumstances to estimate your award.
Official sources & free help
For the full detail — and free, independent advice — see: