For many people across the UK, Universal Credit can be a real lifeline a source of financial stability when life becomes difficult. Whether you’ve lost your job, your income has dropped, or your health has made working harder, Universal Credit is designed to help you stay afloat.
But what many claimants don’t know is that they might be entitled to more money than they’re currently getting. In fact, thousands of households every month miss out on extra financial help simply because they don’t realise what’s available.
If you already receive Universal Credit or you’re thinking about applying it’s worth checking whether you qualify for additional payments called “elements.” These are extra amounts added to your main Universal Credit payment to help with things like caring for someone, paying rent, having children, or managing health conditions.
This guide explains those elements in clear, human English, so you can make sure you’re not missing out on money that could make a real difference.
Understanding the Basics
Universal Credit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It replaces several older benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, and Working Tax Credit, combining them into one single monthly payment.
It’s available for:
- People who are on a low income
- People who are out of work
- People who can’t work due to health or caring responsibilities
At the heart of Universal Credit is something called the standard allowance. This is the base amount everyone gets, before any extras are added. The rate depends on your age and whether you’re single or in a couple.
Here’s what you can currently expect:
- Single and under 25: £316.98 per month
- Single and 25 or over: £393.45 per month
- Couple both under 25: £498.40 per month
- Couple where at least one person is 25 or over: £628.10 per month
That’s the foundation of your claim but on top of this, you may be able to receive extra support based on your circumstances.
The Different Types of Extra Help (Elements)
Universal Credit is flexible because it recognises that not everyone’s situation is the same. A single parent, a full-time carer, or a disabled person will have different financial needs compared to someone who’s just between jobs.
So, the DWP offers several elements extra payments added to your monthly Universal Credit if you qualify. These are the ones most people miss out on because they don’t realise they have to tell the DWP about their circumstances. Many of these extras are not automatic, meaning unless you inform the DWP, they won’t be added to your payments.
Let’s go through each one carefully so you know what to look out for.
1. The Carer’s Element Supporting Those Who Care for Others
If you spend your time caring for someone maybe an elderly parent, a sick partner, or a disabled child — you might qualify for the Carer’s Element.
This is an extra £201.68 per month added to your Universal Credit if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, and the person you care for receives one of the qualifying disability benefits (such as PIP, Attendance Allowance, or Disability Living Allowance).
You don’t need to receive Carer’s Allowance to get this extra payment. However, your income can affect how much you receive overall, as Universal Credit is means-tested.
One thing to be aware of if you claim the Carer’s Element, it might affect the person you care for if they currently receive a Severe Disability Premium. In some cases, they could lose that payment once you’re officially recognised as their carer.
Even so, the Carer’s Element can make a big difference to your household income, especially if you’ve had to reduce work hours to provide care.
It’s easy to underestimate what “35 hours of care” means it doesn’t have to be constant physical care. Helping with medication, shopping, cooking, or simply being there for safety and support all count.
If that’s you, it’s worth telling the DWP right away. You’ve earned that help.
2. The Child Element – For Parents or Guardians
If you’re responsible for one or more children, Universal Credit can also include a Child Element.
This payment helps families with the extra costs of raising children, from food and clothing to school supplies and childcare.
Here’s how it works:
- For your first child (born before 6 April 2017): £339.00 per month
- For your first child (born on or after 6 April 2017): £292.81 per month
- For each additional child: £292.81 per month
There’s also extra support for parents of disabled children:
- Lower rate: £158.76 per month
- Higher rate: £495.87 per month
These payments can make a huge difference for struggling families, but they’re not automatic — you have to report your children and provide details of who lives with you.
If your children are under 16, or under 20 and still in approved education or training, you can usually claim this element.
Parents often assume they’ll automatically get help for every child, but if you had your children after 2017, there are restrictions — usually, Universal Credit will only pay for up to two children, unless special exceptions apply (for example, multiple births or adoption).
3. The Childcare Costs Element – Claiming Back Up to 85% of Childcare Fees
If both you and your partner are working (or you’re a single working parent) and you pay for childcare, you could be entitled to the Childcare Element.
This allows you to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs every month.
That includes registered:
- Childminders
- Nurseries
- Playgroups
- Breakfast or after-school clubs
- Holiday clubs
The maximum you can receive is:
- £1,031.88 per month for one child
- £1,768.94 per month for two or more children
However, you’ll need to pay the childcare provider upfront first, then claim the cost back from Universal Credit. This can be tricky for families living week-to-week, but it’s still a major help once payments begin to flow regularly.
To claim this element, your provider must be officially registered or approved. Keep your receipts, invoices, or payment confirmations, as you’ll need to upload them when claiming.
This element helps thousands of parents keep working instead of giving up their jobs due to childcare costs. So, if you’ve avoided applying because you thought childcare help was only for full-time workers, check again it’s more flexible than many realise.
4. The Housing Element – Help with Rent and Accommodation Costs
Rent is one of the biggest expenses for most households, and Universal Credit can help cover that through the Housing Element.
If you rent your home from a private landlord, council, or housing association, you could get money towards your rent or service charges.
How much you receive depends on:
- The size of your household (number of people living with you)
- Where you live (as housing costs vary across the country)
- Whether you rent privately or through a council or housing association
- Whether anyone else in your household contributes to rent
If you own your home, Universal Credit can sometimes help cover service charges or mortgage interest under certain circumstances though this is less common.
Your housing costs are usually paid directly to your landlord or to your Universal Credit account, depending on what you choose.
The key thing is that this support isn’t automatic. You must enter your rent details in your Universal Credit online account when applying, or you won’t receive housing help even if you’re eligible.
If your rent increases, remember to update your account straight away so your payment can be adjusted.
5. Disabilities or Health Conditions The Limited Capability for Work Element
If your health makes it hard to work, you might be entitled to the Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element.
This additional payment recognises that health problems and disabilities can bring extra costs and make it harder to maintain steady work.
Currently, the LCWRA element pays up to £423.27 per month on top of your regular Universal Credit.
To get this, you’ll need to complete a Work Capability Assessment, where you’ll provide medical evidence such as GP letters, fit notes, or hospital reports showing how your condition affects your ability to work.
Usually, the DWP adds this payment after you’ve submitted three consecutive fit notes (covering about three months). However, if you’re terminally ill, the DWP can fast-track your claim and add this support immediately.
You can still work while receiving this element but if you take on a lot of hours, the DWP might reassess your condition to check if your health has improved.
If your illness or disability affects your income, energy, or ability to stay in employment, this element can provide the breathing room you need to focus on your health without falling behind on bills.
What You Should Know About Reductions and Sanctions
It’s important to remember that every part of Universal Credit including the extra elements can still be affected by reductions or sanctions.
This usually happens if:
- You miss job centre appointments without good reason.
- You fail to meet agreed work search requirements.
- You don’t report changes to your income, housing, or family situation.
The charity Turn2Us warns that no element is completely protected from reductions. So, if you’re struggling to meet conditions, always contact your work coach to explain your situation — it’s better to keep communication open than risk a sanction.
Common Mistakes That Make People Miss Out
It’s surprisingly easy to miss out on extra money simply because you didn’t know it existed. Here are a few common situations where people lose out unnecessarily:
- Not reporting that you care for someone. If you spend hours each week helping someone, you could be owed the Carer’s Element.
- Not adding your children to your claim. Some people think they’re automatically included, but you must register each child’s details in your account.
- Not claiming the housing element. If you didn’t fill in your rent information when applying, you may not be getting the support you need.
- Not applying for the disability element. Many people don’t realise their health condition could qualify. If you’ve been submitting fit notes for a while, ask your work coach to refer you for a Work Capability Assessment.
How to Check If You Qualify for Extra Help
You can review your Universal Credit claim at any time through your online journal. Log in at https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit and check the “Payments” section.
If you think something’s missing, send a message to your work coach asking:
“Can you please check if I’m eligible for any additional elements in my Universal Credit claim, such as housing, child, carer, or disability elements?”
You can also use Turn2Us, EntitledTo, or Policy in Practice benefit calculators online to see what extra help you could be receiving.
These free tools can estimate how much you should be getting, based on your income and situation.
Why It’s Worth Checking Again
Even if you checked your eligibility before, it’s worth doing it again your circumstances may have changed.
Maybe you’ve started caring for a family member, taken on childcare costs, or your health has worsened. Universal Credit is flexible for that reason. Every time something changes, your claim should be updated to reflect your needs.
The DWP won’t automatically adjust your claim unless you tell them. So, if your situation changes, update your Universal Credit journal as soon as possible.
How to Get Help With Your Claim
If you’re unsure about what to do or how to report changes, you don’t have to do it alone. There are organisations that can help for free:
- Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
They have a dedicated Universal Credit Help to Claim service. - Turn2Us: https://www.turn2us.org.uk
They offer benefit calculators and guides to check what you’re missing. - MoneyHelper: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk
Provides government-backed advice on managing your income and benefits. - GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Official guidance from the DWP about Universal Credit elements and eligibility.
The Bigger Picture: Universal Credit Is Changing
The government has announced major reforms to the Universal Credit system over the next few years. Some elements, such as those for health conditions, are expected to change by April 2026, when the DWP plans to move all remaining legacy benefit claimants onto Universal Credit.
If you’re currently on an older benefit like Income Support, Working Tax Credit, or Housing Benefit, you’ll eventually be asked to switch.
The DWP says the goal is to simplify the system but the process can be confusing. When your migration notice arrives, take time to read it carefully, and seek help before making decisions.