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Eligibility




 

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be:

  • out of work
  • working (including self-employed or part time)
  • unable to work, for example because of a health condition

To claim you must:

There are different eligibility rules if you’ve received a Migration Notice letter telling you to claim Universal Credit.

You can use a benefits calculator to check what benefits you could get.

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

You and your family might also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Universal Credit. Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

If you live with your partner

You will both need to claim for Universal Credit. You must make a joint claim for your household, even if your partner is not eligible. How much you can get will depend on your partner’s income and savings, as well as your own.

If one of you has reached State Pension age

If only one of you has reached State Pension age, you and your partner can still claim Universal Credit as a couple. Your Universal Credit claim will stop when you both reach State Pension age.

If you’re getting Pension Credit, it will stop if you or your partner make a claim for Universal Credit. You’ll usually be better off staying on Pension Credit. You can check using a benefits calculator.

If you’re studying or in training

You can make a claim for Universal Credit if you’re in full-time education and any of the following apply:

You can also claim Universal Credit if you’re 21 or under, studying any qualification up to A level or equivalent and do not have parental support.

You may be able to claim if you are studying part-time or doing a course for which no student loan or finance is available.

Check the guidance about claiming Universal Credit as a student.

Students with disabilities or health conditions

You can claim Universal Credit if you’re in full-time education, and have been assessed as having limited capability for work by a Work Capability Assessment before starting your course. You must also be entitled to any of the following:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • Child Disability Payment (CDP) in Scotland
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland

Claiming if you’re 16 or 17

You can make a claim for Universal Credit if any of the following apply:

  • you have a health condition or disability and have medical evidence for it, such as a fit note
  • you’re caring for someone who gets a health or disability-related benefit
  • you’re responsible for a child
  • you live with your partner, have responsibility for a child and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit
  • you’re pregnant and expecting your baby in the next 11 weeks
  • you’ve had a baby in the last 15 weeks
  • you do not have parental support, for example you do not live with your parents and are not under local authority care
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