Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance, which is the basic amount you get before any additional elements or deductions are taken into account.
Universal Credit claimants who are planning a summer holiday should be aware of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rules around going away.
You can leave the UK for up to one month without it impacting your Universal Credit claim – but you have to let the DWP know.
You normally do this by reporting a change of circumstance in your online journal, or by contacting the Universal Credit helpline.
However, you will still have to stick to your claimant commitment when you are abroad. This means you may have to continue looking for work while you are on holiday.
If you are in the intensive work search group, then you are generally expected to spend 35 hours a week looking for a job.
There are exceptions, such as if you are going abroad for medical treatment, in which case you can stay up to six months. If a close relative passes away, then you can stay abroad for one extra month abroad.
Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance, which is the basic amount you get before any additional elements – for example, if you have children or are unable to work due to illness – or deductions are taken into account.
You may be subject to deductions if you have savings or if you owe the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) money. If you work, there is a taper rate which reduces your maximum Universal Credit payment as your earnings increase.
The taper rate is 55% which means 55p is deducted from your maximum Universal Credit payment for every £1 you earn. Some people get a “work allowance” which is a set amount you can earn before your Universal Credit is reduced.
Universal Credit payment rates 2026/27
Single
- Under 25: £338.58 a month
- 25 or over: £424.90 a month
Couples
- Joint claimants both under 25: £528.34 a month
- Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £666.97 a month
Child amounts
- First child (born prior to 6 April 2017): £351.88 a month
- First child (born on or after 6 April 2017 / second child and subsequent child (where an exception or transitional provision applies): £303.94 a month
Limited Capability for Work
- Limited Capability for Work amount: £158.76 a month
- Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity amount (new claimants): £217.26 a month
- Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity amount (pre-2026 claimant, severe conditions criteria claimant or claimant who is terminally ill): £429.80 a month
Carer amount
Work allowances
- Higher work allowance (no housing amount) one or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £710 a month
- Lower work allowance one or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £427 a month
The full list of additional elements and deductions for Universal Credit payments can be found on GOV.UK.
