Estimate Universal Credit from household, income and capital facts. You can screen basic eligibility and calculate private or social rent limits from household details. The income options also calculate cash-basis self-employment, an estimated minimum income floor and countable student funding.
What this tool covers
Calculates ordinary UC, GB housing costs, self-employment with an estimated minimum income floor, and student funding. Transitional protections, prior surplus earnings, ineligible partners and Northern Ireland rent tables require individual assessment.
Assessment periods beginning 6 April 2026 onwards; 2026/27 ratesUK monthly assessment; Northern Ireland payment arrangements differReviewed 15 October 2026
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BEHIND THE NUMBERS
How this calculation works
Add the standard allowance and eligible elements. Deduct 55% of earnings above any work allowance, countable other income and £4.35 for every £250 or part of capital above £6,000. Capital over £16,000 normally gives no award. Apply the household benefit cap when no exemption applies, excluding childcare from the capped UC amount. Round displayed money to pennies. Housing mode derives bedroom entitlement, the published monthly LHA ceiling or 14%/25% social-rent reduction, and £96.55 for each chargeable non-dependant. Self-employment uses cash receipts less allowed expenditure, paid business tax/NI, relievable pensions and unused losses; qualifying MIF applies after start-up and partner adjustments. Student funding is apportioned over eligible assessment periods from course dates, then reduced by £110 per period.
Worked example
An eligible single person aged 36 with no income, capital, children or housing costs receives the 2026/27 standard allowance of £424.90.
Example result: £424.90
Use assessment-period earnings
Universal Credit responds to the pay received in its monthly assessment window. A four-weekly salary can produce a month with two payments. Using one-twelfth of annual salary hides that effect, so enter the actual relevant earnings.
Housing support is not necessarily the rent
Private-rental limits, eligible service charges, bedroom restrictions and adults living in the property can change the housing element. Establish that figure first. The calculator then applies it consistently to the maximum award and work allowance.
Choose the awarded health element
The 2026 rules distinguish lower LCWRA from protected, severe-condition and terminal-illness cases. A diagnosis or PIP award alone does not determine the UC component. Use the decision on your claim.
Children and the benefit cap
Eligible child elements are no longer limited to two children for these assessment periods. The household benefit cap still operates, so a higher maximum award does not always produce the same increase in the final payment.
Assumptions and rounding
The assessment period uses 2026/27 rates and starts on or after 6 April 2026.
Entered housing is the eligible amount after all housing-specific deductions.
Childcare and health/carer component awards are already established.
MIF estimates use standard tax allowance and monthly employee NI. Expected hours and gainful/start-up decisions come from the claimant’s factual circumstances; the tool derives the amount.
Questions about this calculator
Is the figure what will reach my bank account?
It is the monthly award before sanctions, debt recovery and payment arrangements. Housing can be paid to your landlord, and NI normally splits the remaining payment twice monthly.
Do savings of exactly £16,000 automatically remove entitlement?
This model applies tariff income up to £16,000 and no entitlement above it. Special capital disregards must be resolved before entering the figure.
Can a couple receive two health elements?
No. Enter the single payable household health element. A carer element can also be payable for the other partner when the relevant conditions and overlap rules are satisfied.
Do I enter a pre-calculated minimum income floor?
No. Enter cash receipts, permitted costs, age and agreed working hours. The tool derives a net floor, checks start-up-period overlap and adjusts for partner earnings.
What if I declined my maintenance loan?
UC normally still counts entitlement. Enter the provider’s entitlement and any household-means or grant reduction, including amounts declined. The tool derives countable funding and its assessment-period deduction.