BENEFITS

Universal Credit Estimator

Estimate a monthly Universal Credit award for 2026/27 using the main UC elements, work allowance, earnings taper, childcare support, housing costs and capital rules.

Estimate your Universal Credit

Household type

Number of children

Disabled children on lower addition

Disabled children on higher addition

First child was born before 6 April 2017

From April 2026 the two-child limit has been removed, but the higher first-child amount can still matter in some cases.

Monthly earned income after tax (£)

Use combined monthly take-home earnings for the household.

Other monthly income deducted from UC (£)

A simplified field for income such as some benefits or other payments that reduce UC.

Savings / capital (£)

Between £6,000 and £16,000 a tariff income is applied. At £16,000 or more UC usually stops.

Monthly eligible housing element (£)

Enter the housing amount you want to model, not necessarily your full rent.

Approved monthly childcare costs (£)

Childcare cap to apply

LCWRA type

Include LCWRA element Include carer element

Your estimate

Estimated monthly Universal Credit £1,169.70

Estimated annual Universal Credit £14,036.40

Maximum award before deductions £1,924.85

Total deductions applied £755.15

Maximum award breakdown

Standard allowance	£666.97
Child element	£607.88
Disabled child additions	£0.00
LCWRA element	£0.00
Carer element	£0.00
Housing element used	£650.00
Childcare element	£0.00

Deductions and taper

Work allowance used	£427.00
Earnings deduction	-£755.15
Other income deduction	-£0.00
Capital tariff income	-£0.00
Childcare support included	£0.00

A work allowance only applies where the household has a child or LCWRA.

Important notes

This estimator is designed for broad planning only and does not model every Universal Credit rule, exception or interaction.
It does not model the benefit cap, sanctions, debt deductions, surplus earnings, self-employed minimum income floor, student rules or detailed housing eligibility rules.
Housing costs should be the eligible monthly housing amount you want to model, not necessarily your full rent.
Other income is treated here as a direct monthly deduction. Real treatment can vary by income type.
From April 2026 the two-child limit has been removed, so this estimator allows a child element for all children entered. The higher first-child amount can still apply where relevant for a first child born before 6 April 2017.