Claimants with disabilities, children, caring duties and other circumstances could get more from the benefit
Universal Credit offers assistance for working-age people on low incomes or facing financial difficulties. While it provides a standard rate for all successful claimants, some people may be able to get hundreds more each month depending on what their home, family and health circumstances are.
These additional elements are means-tested like the core benefit. Yet some aren’t automatically applied. This means if you don’t notify the DWP if you’re eligible for the extra support, you probably won’t receive it.
It’s also worth noting that no element is protected from deductions. Now experts at Turn2Us have outlined the complete range of additional elements on offer.
Children
People who have successfully claimed Universal Credit could get more from the benefit if they are responsible for a child or qualifying young person that typically lives with them. This is known as the child element and could qualify households for an extra £339 per month for the eldest child born after April 6, 2017 and £292.81 for each additional child.
If your child is also disabled you could get an extra on this add-on through the child disability element. This provides £158.76 at the lower rate and £495.87 at the higher rate and further eligibility requirements for this can be found on Gov.uk.
Childcare costs
If both you and your partner are employed and require help with childcare, you could qualify for the childcare element. This enables parents to reclaim up to 85% of their childcare expenses.
Your child must attend a registered provider to be eligible, though this assistance can encompass childminders, breakfast clubs, nurseries and holiday clubs. You’ll also need to cover the costs upfront and then claim the reimbursement.
Housing
The housing element can help with rent or service charges for your accommodation if you’re renting from a private landlord, local authority or housing association, or if you reside in a property you own. The eligibility requirements and available support levels will vary based on your living situation, with full details available on the Gov.uk website.
Disabled or having a health condition
The additional element for people with health conditions is known as ‘limited capability for work’ or the ‘health element’. You’ll usually need to do a work capability assessment to see if you’re eligible for this element and at what rate.
You can still work and receive this element, but experts at Turn2Us warned: “If you are doing a lot of work, this might mean the DWP will want to do another Work Capability Assessment to check whether your condition has changed.
“If you haven’t had a Work Capability Assessment yet and are earning more than £846.56 per month, you won’t be able to have a Work Capability Assessment unless you are also getting PIP, ADP, DLA, Scottish Adult DLA, Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland).”
It can provide up to £423.27 extra per month. Typically, you’ll need to undertake a work capability assessment to determine your eligibility for this component and at what rate. The rates will also be changing in April for new claimants due to the Universal Credit Bill.
Carers
The carer’s element provides £201.68 per month if you deliver care for a minimum of 35 hours weekly and the person you support receives one of the qualifying benefits. You don’t have to be claiming Carer’s Allowance in order to qualify for this element.
The experts cautioned: “Getting the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit might affect the benefits of the person you care for. It might mean they lose their entitlement to the Severe Disability Premium.”
