United Kingdom Universal Credit: standard allowance
Universal Credit has one standard allowance for a household. Age and couple status set the published base amount, while extra elements and reductions affect the payment.
On this page
- Single, under 25
- £338.58 per month in 2026–27.
- Single, 25 or over
- £424.90 per month in 2026–27.
- Couple, both under 25
- £528.34 per month for both in 2026–27.
- Couple, one or both 25 or over
- £666.97 per month for both in 2026–27.
Monthly amounts for 2026–27
DWP’s 2026–27 monthly rates table gives a standard allowance of £338.58 for a single claimant under 25 and £424.90 for a single claimant aged 25 or over. DWP, Benefit and pension rates (opens in a new tab).
For joint claimants both under 25, the monthly standard allowance is £528.34. Where one or both joint claimants are 25 or over, it is £666.97. These are joint household amounts. DWP, Benefit and pension rates (opens in a new tab).
One household allowance
GOV.UK states that a household receives one standard allowance. Its current guidance repeats the single and couple age bands and identifies the couple amounts as being for both partners. DWP, Universal Credit amounts (opens in a new tab).
The payment depends on the standard allowance, any extra amounts, any money taken off and earnings where the claimant is working. DWP, Universal Credit amounts (opens in a new tab).
Eligible claimants may receive extra amounts for children, childcare, health conditions, caring or housing costs. DWP, Universal Credit amounts (opens in a new tab).
Reductions and the payment boundary
Payments can be reduced for earnings, other income, repayment of an advance, past benefit overpayments and the benefit cap. The standard allowance alone therefore does not describe the amount paid to a particular household. DWP, Universal Credit amounts (opens in a new tab).
Scope
This is general information adapted from government material under the Open Government Licence v3.0, without endorsement or a recommendation. It does not assess individual entitlement or liability. No matching calculator or worked example is available here.