Check how Universal Credit has changed in 2026

The government have made changes to Universal Credit that affect everyone from 6 April 2026. 

They include changes that might affect you if you have 3 or more children or if you have a long-term health condition or disability.

Check how the Universal Credit ‘standard allowance’ has changed

Everyone’s Universal Credit includes a standard amount, called the ‘standard allowance’. How much you get depends on your age and if you live with a partner.

The standard amount increased on 6 April 2026.

If you have 3 or more children

If you claim Universal Credit, you can get an extra amount for any children or qualifying young people you’re responsible for. This extra money is called the ‘child element’.

In the past, you could usually only claim a child element for your first 2 children.

The ‘2 child limit’ was removed on 6 April 2026. You can now get a child element for each child, including if you have 3 or more.

Check how much Universal Credit you’ll get.

If you have a long-term health condition or a disability

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit, you might get more money if you have difficulty working because you’re sick, disabled or have a long-term health condition.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) might say you have either:

• 'limited capability for work' (LCW)

• 'limited capability for work-related activity' (LCWRA)

If the DWP say you have LCWRA, you might get an additional payment with your Universal Credit called the LCWRA element.

From 6 April 2026, this payment is either a higher amount of £429.80 a month or a lower amount of £217.26 a month. 

You’ll get the higher amount if any of these applied before 6 April:

• you were already getting Universal Credit with the LCWRA element

• you reported your health condition or disability, and the DWP say you have LCWRA

• you were already getting LCW but your condition got worse so the DWP started to reassess you, and they say you have LCWRA

• you were already getting ESA with the support component and you continue to get it until you apply for Universal Credit

If you report your health condition or disability on or after 6 April and the DWP say you have LCWRA, you’ll get the lower amount - unless you meet certain health criteria. 

Check the criteria to get the higher amount of the LCWRA element.