Universal Credit, a crucial welfare support system in the UK, provides essential financial assistance to low-income individuals and families. While it offers a flat standard rate, various additional means-tested elements can significantly increase monthly payments.
However, applicants must notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about their eligibility to receive these extra payments. For more details on these support elements, DevonLive offers a comprehensive breakdown of the full list and how they work.
Carer’s Element
If you care for someone for at least 35 hours per week and the person you care for qualifies for certain benefits, you could be eligible for the Carer’s Element. This can add £201.68 to your monthly payment. Importantly, you don’t need to claim Carer’s Allowance to qualify, but your earnings will impact the amount you’re entitled to.
Experts also warn that getting the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit might affect the benefits of the person you care for, possibly causing them to lose their entitlement to the Severe Disability Premium. As stated by experts:
Getting the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit might affect the benefits of the person you care for. It might mean they lose their entitlement to the Severe Disability Premium.
Child Element
If you are responsible for a child or young person who lives with you, you can receive the Child Element on top of your standard Universal Credit payment. For children born before April 6, 2017, the amount is £339 per month. For those born after this date, the payment drops to £292.81 per month. Each additional child also qualifies for £292.81 per month.
Disabled children are eligible for higher amounts, with the Child Disability Element providing £158.76 for the lower rate and £495.87 for the higher rate.
Childcare Costs Element
For working parents, the Childcare Costs Element allows up to 85% of childcare costs to be reimbursed. This can include a variety of registered providers like nurseries and childminders. The amount you can claim depends on how many children you have, with caps at £1,031.88 for one child and £1,768.94 for two or more children per month.
The costs must be paid upfront and then claimed back.
Housing Element
The Housing Element of Universal Credit can help with rent or service charges, whether you rent from a private landlord, a local authority, or a housing association, or even if you own your home.
The amount of support you can receive depends on your specific living situation, and eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Disability and Health Conditions
For those with health conditions or disabilities, Universal Credit offers a ‘Limited Capability for Work’ element, which can add up to £423.27 per month. Claimants must undergo a work capability assessment, though some may qualify immediately if they are terminally ill.
The amount may change depending on how much work the claimant is able to do. As experts caution:
If you haven’t had a Work Capability Assessment yet and are earning more than £846.56 per month, you won’t be able to have a Work Capability Assessment unless you are also getting PIP, ADP, DLA, Scottish Adult DLA, Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland).
