Universal Credit Calculator 2025/26 – Full UC Estimate

The most complete free Universal Credit calculator for 2025/26. Covers every UC element: standard allowance, children, housing, limited capability for work, carer element, childcare costs, savings taper, and the benefit cap. Updated for April 2026 DWP rates.

2025/26 UC Standard Allowance Rates

Child Elements 2025/26

You can claim a child element for each dependent child. However, the two-child limit means the child element is only payable for a maximum of two children born after 6 April 2017, unless an exception applies (such as multiple birth or non-consensual conception). Children born before 6 April 2017 are not subject to the two-child limit.

Health & Disability: LCWRA and LCW

If you have a health condition or disability that affects your ability to work, you may be placed in one of two groups after a Work Capability Assessment:

• Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA): You have a serious health condition and cannot be expected to prepare for or look for work. Adds £423.27/month to your UC award.
• Limited Capability for Work (LCW): You have some health limitations. The LCW element was abolished for new claimants from April 2017 but existing claimants may still receive it at £158.76/month.

You must be assessed before receiving these elements. The LCWRA element is also added if you are terminally ill or receiving certain disability benefits.

Carer Element

If you provide at least 35 hours per week of unpaid care to a severely disabled person, you can claim the carer element of £201.68/month. You do not need to be claiming Carer's Allowance to receive this — but you must meet the qualifying conditions. If both partners in a joint claim are carers, both can claim the element.

Childcare Costs Element

If you are working and pay for registered childcare, you can claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs through UC. The maximum you can claim is £1,031.88/month for one child and £1,769.03/month for two or more children. This element is only available to people who are working — both partners must be working in a joint claim unless one has LCWRA.

Savings & Capital

If you have savings or capital between £6,000 and £16,000, a tariff income is assumed — £1 for every £250 (or part thereof) above £6,000. This assumed income is added to your actual earnings when applying the taper. If you have over £16,000 in savings, you are not eligible for UC at all.

The Benefit Cap

The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefits a household can receive. It applies to UC and is deducted from your UC award if your total household benefits exceed the cap level. The cap does not apply if you or your partner receive LCWRA, PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, or are working enough to qualify for the Working Tax Credit exemption.