Universal Credit health element: Who’s eligible and how much is it?

If you have a disability or health condition, you may be entitled to the health element of Universal Credit and this article highlights how much you could claim and how to apply.   

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a monthly payment you could get if you’re on a low income, out of work or cannot work.

There were 7.5 million people on Universal Credit in January 2025 and the number claiming Universal Credit rose by 137,000 people between February-March 2025.  This rise is largely due to people being transferred from older benefits which are being phased out by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

Universal Credit is replacing six benefits and tax credits. These are Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

What is the health element of Universal Credit?

The Universal Credit health element is a new payment designed to provide additional support for individuals with a health condition or disability.

This health element of Universal Credit aims to assist those who may have difficulty working due to health conditions.

PIP assessment will be used to assess your entitlement for the health element of Universal Credit from 2028/29.

The health element of Universal Credit is expected in future to replace the current Limited Capability for work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element of UC.

How much is Universal Credit?

How much Universal Credit you can get depends on the type of standard allowance you are eligible for, any extra amounts that you are eligible for, any money taken off your payment and how much you earn if you’re working.  

Standard Allowance payments

You can get one standard allowance for Universal Credit for your household.

How much is Universal Credit standard allowance?	Monthly Payment
If you’re single and under 25	£316.98
If you’re single and 25+	£400.14
If you live with your partner and you’re both under 25	£497.55 (for you both)
If you live with your partner and either of you are 25+	£628.10 (for you both)

Who is eligible for Universal Credit?

You could be eligible for Universal Credit if you are:

• out of work.
• working (including self-employed or part-time).
• unable to work, e.g. because of a health condition.

To claim you must live in the UK, be aged 18 + and under State Pension age and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.

Can I get extra money on top of Universal Credit standard allowance?

You could get more money on top of your standard allowance of Universal Credit, if:

• You have a health condition or disability that limits how much work you can do.  
• Or you care for someone who gets a specific benefit.  
• Or you are moving over to Universal Credit from certain legacy benefits. If this is the case, you may be entitled to a transitional protection payment (see bottom of article).
• Or you have children. If you have children, read this article on the childcare element of Universal Credit.

People aged under 22 can currently claim the health element of Universal Credit. The government’s plans to remove the health element of Universal Credit for young disabled people aged 16-21 (who are unable to work or do work-related activity) were the subject of a public consultation, which ended on 30 June 2025.

How much is the health element of Universal Credit?

If you are deemed to have Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA), you are entitled to £416.19 a month extra, on top of the Universal Credit standard allowance.

This will come into effect from April 2026.

For new claimants, from 2026-27 tax year, the Universal Credit health element will be reduced to £50 a week and then frozen until 2029-30.

Changes to welfare reforms affecting Universal Credit health element

On 25 June 2025, the welfare secretary, Liz Kendall announced a change to the planned welfare reforms.

After saying the new eligibility criteria will only apply to new claimants of PIP, she added: “Secondly, we will adjust the pathway of Universal Credit payment rates to make sure all existing recipients of the UC health element — and any new claimant meeting the severe conditions criteria — have their incomes fully protected in real terms.

“Colleagues rightly want to ensure that disabled people and those with ill health are at the heart of our reforms.”

This means the health element of UC will no longer be frozen for existing claimants, but will rise in line with inflation.

How do I apply for the Universal Credit health element?  

When you apply for Universal Credit, you should inform the DWP if you have a health condition or disability that affects your ‘capability to work’.

This could mean that you:

• need support in work.
• need to find suitable work.
• are unable to work temporarily or long term.

You must report details about your health condition, this includes:

• medical treatments you’re receiving.
• if you’re in or expecting to go into hospital.
• changes to your health condition, for example it gets better or worse. 
• a new health condition.

You must get a fit note/ sick note, if your health condition or disability affects your ability to work for longer than 7 days. 

What is Work Capability Assessment? 

If your health condition or disability affects your capability to work for longer than 28 days, you currently need to have a Work Capability Assessment.

The assessment is to help decide how much your health condition or disability limits your capability to work. It can be in person, by video call or on the phone. Before your assessment, you’ll need to complete a ‘Capability for Work’ (UC50) health questionnaire.

However, the work capability assessment is expected to be abolished in 2028. This means that if you need an assessment for the health element of Universal Credit, you will in future have a PIP assessment. This proposal will require legislation before it can take effect. 

What happens after an assessment?

After a Work Capacity Assessment, you’ll currently be sent a decision that states if you:

• are fit for work (also known as ‘capable for work’).
• Or need to prepare to work in the future, but have limited capability for work (LCW).
• Or have limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA).

The decision affects whether you’ll get the extra amount of Universal Credit.

– If it is decided you are fit to work

You’ll need to agree to look for work that is suitable for your health condition/disability.

You’ll get the standard allowance of Universal Credit based on your circumstances.

– Limited Capability for Work (LCW) and need to prepare to work in future

You have limited capability for work now. You can work if you feel able to do so.

Your work coach will agree next steps to help you start preparing for work eg. CV preparation.

– If it’s decided you have Limited Capability for work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA)

You do not need to look for work or prepare for work.

It is possible, you can get an extra £416.19 a month on top of your Universal Credit standard allowance.

Can I claim the Universal Credit health element if I’m working?   

You may still get Universal Credit if you work. You can earn up to a certain amount without it affecting the amount of Universal Credit you get. This is called a ‘work allowance’.

You can use a benefits calculator to find out how working affects your Universal Credit benefit.

Extra Universal Credit, if you’re near end of life

If you are near the end of your life, you might get Universal Credit quicker and at a higher rate.

This is known as ‘special rules for end of life’.

You could be eligible for this extra money if: 

• you’re aged 16+ but under State Pension age.
• you live in the UK.
• you have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.
• your doctor or medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live e.g. due to a life-limiting illness.

You can ask a medical professional to support your claim by requesting a SR1 form. They’ll either complete it and give the form to you or send it directly to the DWP.

Universal Credit Reductions

How much you get in Universal Credit may be reduced if you:

• have been overpaid benefits in the past.
• owe money for Council Tax, court fines, electricity, gas, water or child maintenance.
• pay your gas or electricity bill directly from your Universal Credit payment.
• have a paid job.
• have other income – e.g. money from pensions or other benefits.
• have more than £6,000 in money, savings and investments.   
• are above the amount limited by the benefit cap.

How much is a Universal Credit Transitional Protection Payment?  

As a result of the government’s decision to phase out certain benefits (as highlighted at start of article), you could be entitled to a Universal Credit Transitional Protection Payment (TPP).

This is an extra payment designed to prevent you from getting less money when you transition from a legacy benefit to Universal Credit. It is a temporary payment. It ends if your circumstances change or your Universal Credit entitlement rises to the same or higher level as your previous benefits.

The TPP is the difference between the Universal Credit award and your legacy benefit amount.

For example:

If you were entitled to £800 on your legacy benefit and your Universal Credit entitlement is £600.
Your transitional protection payment becomes £200.
As a result, your total Universal Credit entitlement is now £800.

Most people will get TPP automatically, but some people must apply for it. If you receive a Migration Notice, you must move to Universal Credit by the deadline stated in your letter to keep getting financial support. If you received this letter and wish to discuss it, call the Universal Credit Migration Notice Helpline on 0800 169 0328.