Extra money and help if you get Universal Credit

If you get Universal Credit, you can get extra money and help along with your Universal Credit award. This can help cover essentials like household bills, housing costs and health costs.

You’ll qualify for some of this extra help because you get Universal Credit. You won’t always get it automatically - you might still need to apply.

If you need money before your first Universal Credit payment

It will usually take 5 weeks to get your first Universal Credit payment - but it might take longer.

If you will not have enough money to live on while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment, you can ask for an advance payment. The advance payment is a loan - you’ll have to pay it back.

Check what other benefits you can get

You might be able to get other benefits as well. Lots of people miss out on benefits they’re entitled to - so it’s worth checking. Check what other benefits you can get.

If someone in your household has a disability or health condition

If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition, you might be able to get Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Check if you can get PIP.

If you have a child under 16 who needs help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition, they might be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Check if you can get DLA for your child.

If your child is 16 or over, they might be able to get PIP instead.

If you’ve reached State Pension age and have a disability or illness that makes it hard for you to look after yourself, you might be able to claim Attendance Allowance. You can only get it if you don’t already get DLA, PIP or Adult Disability Payment. Check if you can get Attendance Allowance.

Get help with essential bills

If you need support with essential bills such as energy costs, you might qualify for some extra support because you get Universal Credit. You won’t always get this support automatically - you might need to apply.

You might be able to get a discount or reduction on your council tax. This will depend on your situation, for example if you’re on a low income or live alone. Check if you can pay less council tax.

You might also get help with other essentials like energy costs, water bills and mobile, phone and internet bills.

Get help with housing costs

If you pay for housing costs, you’ll usually get extra support with your Universal Credit. This is known as the ‘housing costs element’. Check you’re getting this. If you’re not getting it or not getting the right amount, or your housing costs change, contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

If you rent, and the housing costs element of Universal Credit doesn't cover all your housing costs, you might be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). A DHP is extra money from your local council to help pay your rent. Contact your local council and ask how to apply for a DHP. You can find out how to contact your local council on GOV.UK.

If you have a child or you’re pregnant

You should check if your Universal Credit includes:

• a child element - if you’re responsible for any children who live with you

• a childcare costs element - if you pay for any childcare

• a disabled child addition - if you’re responsible for a child who gets a disability benefit

Check how much Universal Credit you should be getting. If you’re not getting an element that you think you should, or something has changed, contact the DWP.

Get help with childcare costs

You can get free childcare if you meet certain conditions. You might qualify if:

• your child is aged 9 months to 4 years, and you’re working

• your child is aged 2, and you get Universal Credit with a household income of £15,400 or less

• your child is aged 3 or 4

You can read about help with funded childcare on GOV.UK.

If you’re a student, you might be able to get extra funding for childcare. Read about help with childcare while you study on GOV.UK.

Extra support with baby and child costs

There’s also extra support you might qualify for. This covers things like:

• food costs - for example a Healthy Start card

• school costs - for example free school meals

• grants to help with the costs of having a baby or young child

You won’t always get these automatically - you might still need to apply.

Check if you can get help with costs if you have a child or you’re pregnant.

You might also be able to get extra support from your local council if you're struggling. Find out how to get help for your child from your local council.

Get help with health costs

You might be able to get help paying for NHS charges, for example:

• prescriptions

• dental treatment

• sight tests, glasses and contact lenses

• travel to NHS treatment

Check if you can get help with health costs on the NHS website.

If you can’t get help paying for prescriptions, consider buying a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). This covers all your prescriptions for 3 months or 12 months. This might be more cost effective for you. Check how to get a prescription prepayment certificate on GOV.UK.

Get help with one-off costs and budgeting

You might be able to get a loan as part of your Universal Credit if you need to cover a specific expense. This is called a 'budgeting advance' - you’ll need to pay this back. Read about budgeting advances and how to apply.

You can ask your work coach about the Flexible Support Fund. The fund gives you money to pay for things like travel costs, training courses and up-front childcare. You won’t need to pay the money back. Learn more about the Flexible Support Fund.

Your local council might also be able to help you with costs. They may run 'welfare assistance' or ‘Household Support Fund’ schemes. You can find out how to contact your local council on GOV.UK.

Get help with other costs

You might get support with other costs because you get Universal Credit - for example travel and funeral costs.

Other help if you’re struggling financially

If you don’t have enough money to live on there’s other help you might be able to get. You don’t need to get Universal Credit to get this support. This includes:

• help with energy costs

• help with health costs

• referrals to food banks

• help from your local council

• help from social services

• charitable grants

Check if you can get help with the cost of living.