About Universal Credit

Universal Credit is the UK’s new Government payment scheme which will replace several working-age benefits to help claimants become more independent.

It was introduced in 2024 and it replaces: income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Income Support; Child Tax Credits; Working Tax Credits and Housing Benefit.

The government suggests over 3 million households will receive more benefits as a result of universal credit and almost as many households will be entitled to less.

They suggest those existing claimants who end up on less will initially receive a top-up payment to protect them from a drop in income whereas completely new claimants will receive the lower calculated amount.