UNIVERSAL Credit claimants can get £1,000s of extra help depending on their circumstances.
Millions are eligible for a standard allowance which is paid monthly and designed to help with your living costs.
Households can apply for the benefit even if they're at work.
But the exact amount of cash you'll get through Universal Credit will depend on your current circumstances.
The standard allowance if you are on the benefit, single and over 25 is £368.74.
If you are single and under 25 it is worth £292.11.
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But you can get extra amounts if you have children, disabilities or health conditions or if you are looking after someone else.
Meanwhile, there may be extra help on offer for housing costs – the exact amount you will get depends on your circumstances.
Can I work while claiming Universal Credit?
You can work when claiming Universal Credit but payments are designed to decrease the more you earn.
That's because it is supposed to help prop up those who want to get back to work but might not be able to for any number of reasons.
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So you can work while claiming Universal Credit, but the more hours you work and the more you take home in pay, the more your payments will be reduced.
How much can I earn before Universal Credit is reduced?
For every £1 you earn your Universal Credit payments reduce by 55p – this is known as the taper rate.
It kicks in once claimants are earning above the work allowance if they are eligible.
You get a work allowance if you (or your partner) are responsible for a child or have limited capability for work.
How much it is depends on whether you claim the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit.
The monthly work allowances are:
- £379 if you get help with housing costs
- £631 if you don't get help with housing costs
How much you earn and whether you'll be entitled to Universal Credit payments will depend on your circumstances.
The total amount of benefits you can receive is capped at £22,020 a year outside Greater London if you're in a relationship or a single parent and your children live with you.
It is £14,753 a year if you live by yourself.
Inside Greater London, the equivalent thresholds are £25,323 and £16,967.
How many hours can I work on Universal Credit?
There is no limit to how many hours you can work.
Universal Credit payments are calculated on how much you earn – not your hours of work.
You can use a benefits calculator to see how taking on extra hours might affect your payments though.
It's not the hours themselves that affect it, but the fact you are earning more.
The way you're paid can also affect your Universal Credit payments.
They are based on how much you earn in each monthly assessment period.
If you're paid more than once in an assessment period then this can reduce your benefit payment.
For instance, if you get paid every four weeks rather than monthly, you may have one month where two salaries fall in one assessment period.
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As you've earned more for assessing Universal Credit, your entitlement can be reduced.
You can ask your work coach to move the wages into a different assessment period if this happens.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
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