I’m new to this blogging stuff, so forgive me if it feels like I’m going in circles. But have you ever had an abundance of knowledge in a little niche of the parenting experience? I feel like I have, and I’ve been waiting and waiting to share it. I used to be a family support worker in the East of England, which has given me so much parenting knowledge, let alone the fact that I’m a mother myself. I have a lot to share, so let’s get started. Before becoming a mum myself, I worked as a family support worker in the East of England, which gave me a real insight into the everyday challenges families face. Between that experience and my own parenting journey, I have a lot I’d love to share.
So, let’s get started. Pick a topic, have a browse, and please do drop me a message if you spot something that needs correcting or if you have something helpful to add.
Legal disclaimer: London Mum is an independent parenting blog. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or officially connected to any brands, retailers, manufacturers, councils, organisations, or websites mentioned unless clearly stated. Brand names, product names, logos and trade marks belong to their respective owners and are used for identification and commentary purposes only. Any views expressed are our own and are intended for general information, not professional, legal, medical, financial, or safety advice.
Universal Credit
When I was in my early twenties, there was a cold stigma around Universal Credit. It was a newer system, and the newspapers were full of stories about so-called “benefit scroungers”.
I grew up in a family where asking for government help felt shameful, even when things were difficult. So when I suddenly found myself struggling financially as a parent, I had no idea what support existed or where to start.
That is why I wanted to write this section: to explain Universal Credit in plain English, from one parent to another.
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit, often shortened to UC, is a monthly benefit for people who need help with living costs. Your payment is based on your household circumstances.
The DWP starts with a standard allowance, then adds any extra amounts, known as elements, that apply to you. These may include support for children, childcare, housing, caring responsibilities, or limited capability for work. Once I have covered the allowances and elements, I will cover deductions and how the final amounts are calculated.
The main Universal Credit amounts for the 2026/2027 tax year are as follows:
OR
For Universal Credit, your household is generally based on who lives with you and who you are financially treated as living with.
If you have a partner who has their own home and only visits you, they would not usually be treated as living in your household simply because you are in a relationship. This means you may still be treated as a single claimant for Universal Credit purposes, even if they are the parent of your children or you are married, as long as you are not living together as a couple.
However, every situation is different. The DWP may look at the overall facts, such as where each person normally lives, where belongings are kept, whether bills or finances are shared, how often someone stays over, and whether the arrangement looks like living together as a couple.
If your partner moves into your home, or you start living together as a couple, you must report this to Universal Credit straight away. Your claim may need to change from a single claim to a joint claim.
If two adults live in the same household but are not in a romantic relationship, such as housemates, lodgers, relatives, or friends, they would usually make separate single Universal Credit claims rather than a couple claim.
Whatever your circumstances, it is important to explain your household and family arrangements honestly in your Universal Credit journal so your claim can be assessed correctly.
OR
AND
Other children means any additional child in your care after your first child. This is about the order of the children in your household, not whether the children are full siblings, half-siblings, stepchildren, adopted children, or otherwise related to each other.
For Universal Credit, a child is usually included in the claim of the person they normally live with and who has main responsibility for their day-to-day care. In many families, this will be the same person who receives Child Benefit for that child, but this is not always straightforward. Shared care, kinship care, blended families, and other non-typical arrangements may be looked at individually.
If your child’s living arrangements are complicated, it is always safest to check your Universal Credit journal, GOV.UK guidance, Citizens Advice, Turn2us, or a qualified welfare benefits adviser before relying on a general guide.
Additional Element Payments
All these elements are in addition to the standard allowances above.
For adults, Universal Credit may include an extra amount if you are found to have Limited Capability for Work or Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity after a Work Capability Assessment. The 2026/2027 monthly rates listed by GOV.UK are £158.76 for Limited Capability for Work, £217.26 for Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity, or £429.80 for some pre-2026 claimants, ‘severe conditions’ criteria claimants, or people who are terminally ill.
There is also a carer amount if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and meet the UC rules. For 2026/2027, this is £209.34 per month.
These rules can feel confusing, especially when caring responsibilities, assessments, or children’s needs are involved. If this applies to your family, it is worth checking your Universal Credit journal, GOV.UK, Citizens Advice, Turn2us, or a qualified welfare benefits adviser before relying on a general guide.
You may also get help with registered childcare costs if you are working and paying for childcare. For 2026/2027, the maximum childcare element is £1,071.09 per month for one child or £1,836.16 per month for two or more children.
Universal Credit can also include a housing element to help with rent. The amount you get depends on things like your rent, where you live, your bedroom entitlement, whether you rent privately or socially, and whether any other adults live with you.
GOV.UK also lists a non-dependant housing cost contribution of £96.55 per month for 2026/2027, which may apply when another adult lives in the home.
If you are working, you may have a work allowance, which is the amount you can earn before your Universal Credit starts reducing. For 2026/2027, this is £710 per month if you do not get housing support, or £427 per month if you do get housing support. This usually applies if you have children or limited capability for work.
Universal Credit can feel confusing because the final payment is not just one fixed amount. The DWP adds the elements that apply to your household, then takes off earnings, savings, advances, debts, sanctions, overpayments, or other deductions.
Once your elements and allowances have been decided, they are added up to give a total figure. This is called your “Total entitlement before deductions”. Let’s now look at how deductions work:
Deductions
In construction!
In construction!
In construction!