Who can claim Universal Credit
Universal Credit has a short set of gateway tests. You must be of working age, live in the UK, and have limited savings. Beyond that, it is open to people who are out of work, people in work on low pay, people who are self-employed, and people who cannot work because of a health condition. There is no limit on the number of hours you can work and still claim — what matters is your income, not your hours.
The gateway tests
| Test | Rule (GOV.UK) |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 or over, and under State Pension age. Some 16- and 17-year-olds can claim (see below). |
| Residence | You live in the UK. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens may also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. |
| Capital | £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments. Over £16,000, there is no entitlement. |
| Household | Couples claim jointly, even if one partner is not eligible. The award is based on the household's combined income and savings. |
Capital: the £6,000 and £16,000 lines
Savings under £6,000 do not affect your award at all. Between £6,000 and £16,000, DWP applies a tariff: your payment is reduced by £4.35 a month for every £250 (or part of £250) you hold above £6,000. So £7,000 of savings costs £17.40 a month, and £10,000 costs £69.60 a month. At £16,000 or more, entitlement stops. These are assumed-income rules: DWP does not take your savings, it simply treats you as if the savings produced that income. Source: GOV.UK Universal Credit guide; DWP benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027.
Couples, and mixed-age couples
If you live with a partner, you must make a joint claim, and you will each have your own claimant commitment. If only one of you has reached State Pension age, you can still claim Universal Credit as a couple, and the claim ends when you both reach State Pension age. If either of you already gets Pension Credit, claiming Universal Credit will stop it, and GOV.UK warns that you will usually be better off staying on Pension Credit — check with a benefits calculator before switching.
Students
Full-time students can usually only claim if they meet an extra condition: they live with an eligible partner, they are responsible for a child, they have been assessed as having limited capability for work before the course and also get PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance or a Scottish disability payment, they have received a Migration Notice, or they are 21 or under, studying up to A level or equivalent, and without parental support. Part-time students, and students on courses with no student finance available, may also be able to claim. The student rules are narrow, so check the GOV.UK student guidance before assuming either way.
Claiming at 16 or 17
You can claim at 16 or 17 if any of these apply: you have a health condition or disability with medical evidence such as a fit note; you care for someone who gets a health or disability benefit; a medical professional has said you are nearing the end of life; you are responsible for a child; you live with a partner, have responsibility for a child, and your partner is eligible; you are pregnant and expecting within 11 weeks, or had a baby in the last 15 weeks; or you have no parental support and are not under local authority care.