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Home chevron_right Benefits and support chevron_right Universal Credit chevron_right Eligibility for Universal Credit

Eligibility for Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you're on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be:

  • out of work
  • working (including self-employed or part time)
  • unable to work, for example because of a health condition

To claim you must:

  • live in the UK
  • be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you're 16 to 17)
  • be under State Pension age
  • have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments

You can use a benefits calculator to check what benefits you could get.

If you live with your partner, you must make a joint claim for your household, even if your partner is not eligible. How much you can get will depend on your partner's income and savings, as well as your own.

You can find out more about eligibility for Universal Credit on GOV.UK.