•Universal credit (UC) is a benefit for people on a low income who are in or out of work.

•UC has replaced income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, child tax credit and working tax credit. In 2025, it is due to replace remaining awards of income-related employment and support allowance and (in most cases) working-age housing benefit.

•UC is a means-tested benefit.

•You do not have to have paid national insurance contributions to qualify.

•UC can be paid in addition to non-means-tested benefits, but some of these are taken into account as income when calculating your UC.

•A benefit cap may be applied if the total amount of certain benefits you receive exceeds a specified amount, and your UC can be reduced.

•The DWP administers and pays UC.

•If you disagree with a UC decision, you can apply for a revision or supersession (see Chapter 50), or appeal against it (see Chapter 51). You must apply for a mandatory reconsideration before you can appeal.