A lot of people assume Universal Credit is only for people who are out of work. It isn’t, and new figures suggest that misunderstanding could be costing families thousands of pounds.
On October 22, the Department for Work and Pensions published its latest estimates of how many eligible people actually claim income-related benefits. The numbers cover 2024 to 2025. They suggest up to 2.6 million working-age families in Great Britain were entitled to Universal Credit, or the older benefits it replaces, and didn’t get it.
What the figures show
Based on the DWP estimates, as reported by Brit Brief:
- About 72% of eligible families received the support they were entitled to.
- In money terms, 87% of the total available support was claimed.
- Up to £12.7 billion went unclaimed, which works out to roughly £4,700 per family on average.
- Families with children were much more likely to claim (around 81%) than those without (around 65%).
- Single parents had the highest take-up at 94%. Couples were the least likely to claim: about 60% of couples with children and 55% of couples without.
These are estimates, not counts of real claims. The £4,700 is an average across everyone who missed out, not a set payment you can expect. DWP also says the figures shouldn’t be compared directly with earlier years, because so many people were being moved from old benefits onto Universal Credit during this period.
Why so many people don’t claim
There’s no single reason. Common ones are not realising you could qualify, finding the application hard work, and simply not wanting to claim. Couples who both work, and people with a little savings, often assume they earn too much without checking.
Could you qualify?
You might be able to get Universal Credit if:
- you’re 18 or over (some 16 and 17 year olds can claim too) and under State Pension age
- you live in the UK
- you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings and investments between you
- you’re on a low income, out of work, unable to work because of illness or disability, or caring for someone
You can be working full time and still qualify, especially if you pay rent or have children. If you live with a partner, you’ll normally need to claim together.
How much is the basic payment?
Everyone starts with a standard allowance. On top of that you may get extra for children, housing costs, childcare, a disability or caring. The monthly rates for 2026 to 2027 are:
| Your situation | Standard allowance per month |
|---|---|
| Single, under 25 | £338.58 |
| Single, 25 or over | £424.90 |
| Couple, both under 25 | £528.34 |
| Couple, one or both 25 or over | £666.97 |
Your payment is then reduced based on your earnings and any savings over £6,000.
How to check and claim
- Use a free benefits calculator. Turn2us and entitledto both have one. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes and is anonymous.
- Claim online on GOV.UK if it looks like you qualify. Have your ID, bank details, rent details and income information ready.
- Get help if you need it. Citizens Advice runs the free Help to Claim service, by phone or online.
The first payment usually arrives about five weeks after you claim. If you can’t wait that long, you can ask for an advance, but you’ll repay it from later payments.
Sources: DWP, Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up, financial year ending 2025, Brit Brief (October 23, 2026) and Turn2us.
Maria is a dedicated news writer covering the latest UK updates on DWP, PIP, State Pension Triple Lock, Child Benefit, Universal Credit, and driving licence regulations. She focuses on explaining government announcements, benefit eligibility, payment changes, pension increases, and new regulations in a clear and easy-to-understand way.