2. The standard allowance
A standard allowance is always included in your universal credit (UC) maximum amount. The amount depends on your age and whether you are claiming as a single person or making a joint claim with your partner. See
here for who counts as a couple, including when one of you is temporarily absent.
1Reg 36 UC RegsIf you are making a joint claim with your partner and your partner dies, see
here.
Note: if one member of a couple does not satisfy the rules of entitlement for UC, the other partner may be able to claim as a single person (see
here). In this case, the standard allowance for a single claimant applies.
Rates of standard allowance
Claimant | per month |
|---|
Single claimant | |
Under 25 | £311.68 |
25 or over | £393.45 |
Joint claimants | |
Both under 25 | £489.23 |
One or both 25 or over | £617.60 |