Universal Credit has replaced several legacy benefits and is now the main source of support for working age people who are unemployed or on a low income.

Universal Credit had replaced income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income -based Employment and Support Allowance, working age Housing Benefit in most cases, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Income Support.

It is a monthly payment to assist with living costs if you’re on low income or out of work. A Universal Credit claim can be made up of multiple elements based on a claimant’s per-sonal circumstances. This can include things such as having children, having health conditions that effect ability to work, renting where you live, being a full-time carer, hav-ing childcare costs, and others.

People who live together as a couple must claim Universal Credit as a couple under a joint claim. Universal Credit claims can also be affected by the Benefit Cap, which varies depending on circumstances, but in some cases the Benefit Cap is not applied.

Universal Credit can often lead to entitlement to other kinds of support and assistance, often referred to as passported benefits.