How do I qualify for universal credit?

Universal credit

You can claim universal credit if you are unable to work because of ill health or disability, if you are caring for someone, if you are looking for work or if you are working and your wages are low. You can claim it to cover just your needs if you are single, or those of your partner and/or children if you have a family.

You must:

• be aged 18 or over (or aged 16 or 17 in certain cases)

• be under pension age (if you are claiming jointly as a couple - see below - one of you must be under pension age)

• be in Great Britain
  

• not be subject to immigration control

• not be in full-time education - but there are exceptions
  

• have accepted a claimant commitment

If you have a partner (including a same-sex partner), you must normally make a ‘joint claim’ for universal credit. 

You (and your partner, if you are making a joint claim) must not have capital/savings of more than £16,000.

Any earnings or income you (and your partner, if you are making a joint claim) have must not be too high for universal credit to be paid.

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