1. Universal Credit (UC)

Universal Credit is the main benefit combining support for living costs, children, and housing. Here's how it might add up:

• If you’re single and under 25 = £311.68 per month

• If you’re single and 25 or over = £393.45 per month

• Housing Costs: Covers rent up to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) for your area. For example, a 2-bedroom LHA rate could be £650 per month (~£150 per week).

Extra amounts

You may get more money on top of your standard allowance if you’re eligible.

If you have children:

You could get an extra amount for your children if they live with you.

Child element

Your oldest or only child, if born before 6 April 2017: £333.33 a month

Your oldest or only child, if born on or after 6 April 2017: £287.92 a month

Your second child - and each eligible child after that: £287.92 a month

You would get the extra amount until the 31 August after their:

• 16th birthday

• 19th birthday, if they’re in eligible education or training – for example, they’re studying for GCSEs, A levels, BTECs, Scottish Highers and SVQs or NVQs up to level 3

You’ll only get an extra amount for your first and second child. You will not get an extra amount for any more children unless:

• your children were born before 6 April 2017

• you were already claiming for 3 or more children before 6 April 2017

• other exceptions apply

If your child has a disability:

You might get an extra monthly amount if any of your children are disabled. You’ll get this extra amount no matter how many children you have. 

You’ll get:

• £156.11 if you get the lower rate

• £487.58 if you get the higher rate

The amount you get depends on the benefits your child receives and whether they have specific disabilities.

Childcare costs:

You can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re working and on Universal Credit. If you live with your partner both of you need to be working, unless one of you is unable to work due to a disability or health condition.

The childcare needs to be from a registered provider. You can get help paying for childcare including nurseries, childminders, breakfast clubs, after school care and holiday clubs.

The most you can get each month is:

• £1,014.63 for one child

• £1,739.37 for 2 or more children

You need to pay your childcare costs up front and claim the money back as part of your payment. You can get support to help you pay your childcare costs up front.

2. Child Benefit

Child benefit is as follows:

• Eldest or only child = £25.60 per week

• Additional children = £16.95 per child per week
  
  = £110.93 per month (£25.60 x 52 weeks / 12 months)

3. Jobseekers Allowance

There’s a maximum amount you can get for Jobseekers Allowance - but how much you’re entitled to depends on your age.

• Up to 24 years old = up to £71.70 per week (£310.70 per month)

• 25 years old or over = up to £90.50 per week (£392.16 per month)

4. Sure Start Maternity Grant

You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

In the UK, the benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of certain benefits that working-age households can receive. The cap applies whether you are getting benefits for yourself or someone you care for, and it’s based on your location and circumstances.

As of 2024–2025, the benefit cap is:

Outside Greater London:

• £423.46 per week (£1,835 per month) for couples (with or without children) and single parents with children.

• £283.71 per week (£1,229.42 per month) for single adults without children.

In Greater London:

• £486.98 per week (£2,110.25 per month) for couples (with or without children) and single parents with children.

• £326.29 per week (£1,413.92 per month) for single adults without children.

Key Points:

• The cap applies to the total income from most benefits, including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, and Housing Benefit.

• Exemptions: You are not affected by the cap if you or your partner work and earn enough to receive Working Tax Credit or if you receive certain disability-related benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with the support component.