Universal Credit

E58657

Universal Credit is a UK welfare benefit that combines several means-tested payments into a single monthly payment for people on low incomes or out of work.


Statements (51)
Predicate Object
instanceOf means-tested benefit
social security benefit
welfare benefit
administeredBy Department for Work and Pensions
announcedBy Iain Duncan Smith
benefitCapApplies yes
claimMethod online claim
component carer element
child element
childcare costs element
housing costs element
limited capability for work element
standard allowance
country United Kingdom
eligibilityCriterion age 18 or over with some exceptions
habitually resident in the UK
low income or no income
means-tested
fullServiceRolloutCompleted 2018
hasAdvancePaymentOption yes
hasConditionality work availability requirements
work search requirements
includesHousingSupport yes
introducedBy Welfare Reform Act 2012
isTaxable no
linkedTo National Minimum Wage incentives
mainCriticism five-week wait for first payment
impact on vulnerable claimants
use of sanctions
paidTo claimant
paymentFrequency monthly
policyObjective make work pay
simplify the benefits system
relevantJurisdiction England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
replaces Child Tax Credit
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Working Tax Credit
replacesSystem legacy benefits system
sanctionMechanism reduction of payment for non-compliance
shortName UC
startOfRollout 2013
supportingAgency Jobcentre Plus
targetGroup people in low-paid work
people on low incomes
people out of work


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