Universal Credit Estimator
Get a rough monthly estimate of your Universal Credit entitlement using the current 2026/27 rates. This does not include housing cost element (LHA) as that depends on your area.
Disclaimer
About this tool — how it works
This estimator applies the 2026/27 Universal Credit rates to the answers you give. It starts from a standard allowance that depends on whether you are single or a couple and your ages, adds a child element for each child (recognising the two-child limit, and the higher rate if your first child was born before 6 April 2017), and adds the LCWRA element if you have limited capability for work-related activity and a carer element if you care for someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. It then applies a taper: 55p is deducted for every £1 you earn above your work allowance, which is lower if you also receive the housing cost element.
Savings over £16,000 show you as not eligible rather than calculating a figure. Savings between £6,000 and £16,000 trigger a note about tariff income, which DWP applies at £4.35 a month for every £250 (or part of £250) held — but this reduction is not built into the monthly total.
The estimate excludes the housing cost element, because that depends on local Local Housing Allowance rates rather than a single figure. It also leaves out the childcare costs element, the benefit cap, sanctions and deductions such as advance repayments, and always uses the protected LCWRA rate rather than the lower rate applying to some new claims from April 2026. Treat the result as a rough monthly guide, and check your own journal or ask an adviser for figures specific to your claim.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Universal Credit estimator calculate?
It builds up a monthly figure from your standard allowance (which depends on whether you are single or a couple, and your ages), any child elements, the LCWRA element if you have limited capability for work-related activity, and a carer element, then deducts a taper of 55p for every £1 you earn above your work allowance.
Does the estimate include help with rent or mortgage interest?
No. The tool explicitly excludes the housing cost element, because that depends on Local Housing Allowance rates in your area rather than a single national figure. If you receive help with housing costs, only tick that you do so the tool can apply the lower work allowance that applies in that case — it will not add the housing amount itself.
How does it handle savings between £6,000 and £16,000?
If you say your savings are in that band, the result shows a separate note explaining that DWP treats every £250 (or part of £250) as £4.35 a month of assumed income — but this tariff income is not built into the monthly figure shown. Savings over £16,000 mean the tool shows you as not eligible.
What does the tool not take into account?
It leaves out the housing cost element, the childcare costs element, deductions for advances or debt, sanctions, the benefit cap, and the lower LCWRA rate that applies to some new claims from April 2026 — it always uses the protected rate. It is a rough guide only; check your UC journal or ask an adviser for figures specific to your claim.