Universal Credit
Universal credit (UC) is now available across the UK. As a result, HMRC state that most people can no longer make brand new claims for tax credits and other benefits that UC replaces, however, there are some exceptions to this.
Existing tax credit claimants are currently unaffected by the roll-out of UC unless they choose to make a UC claim, have a change of circumstances that ends their tax credit claim but they need to continue claiming similar support, or they need to make a new claim for another benefit that UC has replaced (such as housing benefit).
This section of the website explains who can claim UC including how it affects existing tax credit claimants, gives an overview of the entitlement rules of UC and links to helpful UC guidance and leaflets.
Latest updates
New Upper Tribunal decision (16 November 2023): Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v AD (UC) | [2023] UKUT 272 (AAC) | UA-2023-000542-USTA & UA-2023-000543-USTA - Income from student maintenance loan that was used to pay tuition fees did not reduce the amount to be taken into account in the calculation of income for universal credit >> More universal credit case law
New Court of Appeal decision (8 November 2023): SSWP v AT (AIRE Centre and IMA intervening) | [2023] EWCA Civ 1307 - Court of Appeal rules that DWP must carry out individualised assessments of whether refusal to award universal credit to claimants with pre-settled status would breach their right to live in dignity >> More universal credit case law
New Upper Tribunal decision (4 September 2023): SM v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (UHC) | [2023] UKUT 176 (AAC) | UA-2022-000261-UHC - Meaning of ‘care’ and whether it must be required in order to establish entitlement to an additional bedroom for an overnight carer >> More universal credit case law
New Upper Tribunal decision (7 August 2023): AT v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (UC) | [2023] UKUT 148 (AAC) | UA-2022-000858-UOTH - Universal credit is not payable for a third child conceived in a stable relationship even where the two older siblings were conceived in an abusive relationship >> More universal credit case law
New universal credit regulations (8 June 2023): Social Security, Universal Credit and State Pension (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (SR.No.93/2023) - Make amendments to correct errors and clarify policy intent in relation to a number of areas in universal credit >> More universal credit legislation
New universal credit regulations (8 June 2023): Universal Credit (Childcare) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (SR.No.90/2023) - Increase the maximum amounts for childcare support in universal credit from 28 June 2023 >> More universal credit legislation
New universal credit regulations (1 June 2023): Universal Credit (Childcare) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI.No.593/2023) - New regulations increase the maximum childcare costs element and make provision for childcare costs to be met upfront by disregarding payments made by funds provided by the Secretary of State - typically from the Flexible Support Fund >> More universal credit legislation
New Upper Tribunal decision (23 May 2023): UA-2021-001684-USTA - Claimant can rely on social assistance benefits paid to a partner in order to demonstrate self-sufficiency where their presence did not increase entitlement >> More universal credit case law
New regulations (17 May 2023): Social Security and Universal Credit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 (SI.No.543/2023) - New regulations that make amendments to correct errors and clarify policy intent >> More universal credit legislation
New regulations (12 May 2023): Social Security (Habitual Residence and Past Presence) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI.No.532.2023) - New regulations that provide for immediate benefit support for those fleeing Sudan in connection with the violence which rapidly escalated there on 15 April 2023 >> More universal credit legislation
New Upper Tribunal decision (5 May 2023): UA-2021-000044-UOTH - Universal credit earned income assessment rules are not irrational or unlawful in the case of a claimant who is paid on a fortnightly basis >> More universal credit case law
New Upper Tribunal decision (31 March 2023): UA-2021-000043-UOTH - Tribunal was entitled to decide that universal credit computer system was not ‘inoperative’ at beginning of Covid-19 pandemic and so did not prevent claimant from making a claim >> More universal credit case law
New Upper Tribunal decision (20 March 2023): UA-2022-000030-UC - Legal effect of Court of Appeal’s declaration in Johnson that universal credit earnings assessment rules were irrational and unlawful can apply to periods before the Court’s decision >> More universal credit case law
New Upper Tribunal decision (17 March 2023): UA-2021-001957-UCH - Universal credit child element is not a social security family benefit for the purposes of Regulation (EC) 883/2004 >> More universal credit case law
New Upper Tribunal decision (21 February 2023): UA-2021-0002228-UOTH - Tax refund received through PAYE counts as earned income for universal credit / claimant is ‘in paid work’ where contract of employment continues through unpaid sick leave >> More universal credit case law
New regulations (17 February 2023): Universal Credit (Work-Related Requirements) In Work Pilot Scheme (Extension) Order 2023 (SI.No.157/2023) - New regulations extend the period for which the pilot scheme established under the Universal Credit (Work-Related Requirements) In Work Pilot Scheme and Amendment Regulations 2015 (SI.No.89/2015) has effect >> More universal credit legislation
New High Court decision (7 February 2023): K, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Work And Pensions [2023] EWHC 233 (Admin) - High Court rules that DWP decision not to waive recovery of universal credit overpayment caused by official error was unlawful >> More universal credit case law