Chapter 10: Universal credit

• 1. What is universal credit
• 2. Who is eligible
• Students
• Modular courses
• Who can claim universal credit
• Work-related requirements
• 3. Basic rules
• 4. Amount of benefit
• Step 1: capital
• Step 2: work out your maximum amount
• Step 3: work out your monthly income
• Step 4: deduct monthly income from maximum amount
• Your maximum amount
• Standard allowance
• Child element
• Elements for illness
• Carer element
• Housing costs element
• Childcare element
• 5. Claiming universal credit
• 6. Challenging a decision
• 7. Other benefits and tax credits
• The benefit cap
• Passported benefits

Basic facts

•Universal credit (UC) is replacing working-age means-tested benefits and tax credits.
•Full-time students can qualify if they are a parent, have a non-student partner and in some other circumstances.
•Part-time students who are able to meet their work-related requirements can qualify.
•It can include amounts for adults, children, illness, caring responsibilities, rent and childcare costs.
•You claim with your partner, and you are usually paid monthly in arrears in a single household payment.
•The amount you get is usually affected by any student grant, loan or other income you have.