Moving to Universal Credit from other benefits

  1. Overview
  2. Who can claim Universal Credit
  3. Better or worse off?
  4. Changes in your circumstances (natural migration)
  1. Choosing to change to Universal Credit (natural migration)
  2. Managed migration
  3. Transitional protection
  4. What else you need to know

2. Who can claim Universal Credit

You claim Universal Credit if you are working, unemployed, too sick to work, disabled, a carer, looking after children or pregnant.

To be entitled Universal Credit, you must:

  • Live in the UK
  • Have a low income (whether in or out of work)
  • Be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
  • Be under state pension age, (unless part of a "mixed age couple")  
  • not be in full–time advanced education (except in certain circumstances such as if you are responsible for a child, or receive certain disability benefits and have a limited capacity for work)
  • Have £16,000 or less in savings

For full details see Universal Credit eligibility on GOV.UK.

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Benefits and financial help