Universal Credit Rates 2026
Estimate your monthly Universal Credit entitlement for the 2026/2027 tax year. Understand standard allowances, child elements, and the 55% taper rate.
Estimate Your Monthly Universal Credit
Enter your household details and earned income below to get an indicative estimate of your monthly Universal Credit award.
UC Entitlement Estimator
Calculate your maximum award minus the earnings taper deduction.
How UC is Calculated
Understanding the Universal Credit formula
Maximum Entitlement
We start by adding your Standard Allowance to any extra elements you qualify for (children, disability, or LCWRA).
Work Allowance
If you have children or LCW/LCWRA, you can earn a set amount each month before the taper rate applies. This is higher if you don’t get housing help.
The 55% Taper Rate
For every £1 you earn above your Work Allowance, your Universal Credit is reduced by 55p. This is known as the taper rate.
Final Award
Your final monthly payment is your Maximum Entitlement minus the Taper Deduction. It cannot fall below £0.00.
2026/2027 Universal Credit Standard Rates
Monthly maximum amounts for Universal Credit elements. (Figures are indicative estimates based on standard uprating projections for the 2026/2027 tax year).
| Universal Credit Element | Monthly Amount | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Allowance (Single <25) | £311.68 | Single claimants under the age of 25. |
| Standard Allowance (Single ≥25) | £393.45 | Single claimants aged 25 or over. |
| Standard Allowance (Couple <25) | £489.23 | Couple where both partners are under 25. |
| Standard Allowance (Couple ≥25) | £617.60 | Couple where at least one partner is 25 or over. |
| Child Element (1st or 2nd child) | £333.33 | Added for each eligible child (subject to the two-child limit). |
| Disabled Child Addition | £156.11 | Extra amount for a child receiving DLA or PIP. |
| LCWRA Element | £416.19 | Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity. |
| Work Allowance (With Housing) | £404.00 | Amount you can earn before taper applies, if receiving housing element. |
| Work Allowance (No Housing) | £673.00 | Higher amount you can earn before taper applies, if no housing element. |
Universal Credit FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about Universal Credit rates, the taper rate, and work allowances.
Universal Credit is calculated by adding together your maximum entitlement (Standard Allowance plus any child, disability, or housing elements) and then subtracting a ‘taper’ deduction. The taper rate is 55%, meaning for every £1 you earn above your Work Allowance (if applicable), your Universal Credit is reduced by 55p.
The Work Allowance is the amount you can earn each month before your Universal Credit starts to be reduced by the taper rate. You only get a Work Allowance if you have dependent children or a Limited Capability for Work (LCW/LCWRA) element. It is higher if you do not receive help with housing costs.
Yes. If you have savings and capital under £6,000, they do not affect your claim. For every £250 (or part of £250) you have between £6,000 and £16,000, your Universal Credit is treated as if you earn £4.34 a month. If you have over £16,000 in savings, you are not eligible for Universal Credit.
The Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element is an additional monthly amount added to your Universal Credit if you have been assessed as having limited capability for work. It also entitles you to a higher Work Allowance and exempts you from the Minimum Income Floor if you are self-employed.