How much Universal Credit do you get if you're under 25?

From April 2026 the standard allowance for a single person under 25 is £338.58 a month. You may get extra for housing costs, children, caring or a health condition.

Can you claim Universal Credit at 16 or 17?

Only in some situations, for example if you have a health condition or disability that limits work, care for a disabled person, are responsible for a child, or live without support from your parents. Check the GOV.UK eligibility page or speak to Citizens Advice.

Can I get Universal Credit as an apprentice?

You may be able to, because an apprenticeship is paid work. Your wages are reported automatically and your payment goes down by 55p for every £1 you earn. Whether anything is left depends on your pay and circumstances.

Does a part-time job stop my Universal Credit?

No. Payments reduce gradually as you earn rather than stopping at a set number of hours, so working usually leaves you better off. Some people, such as parents or those with limited capability for work, can earn a set amount first before any reduction.

Can I claim Universal Credit while at college or university?

Usually not if you're in full-time education, unless an exception applies, such as being responsible for a child or living with a partner who is eligible. See the GOV.UK 'studying or in training' rules.

Money and benefits

Universal Credit for 16–24s: rates, apprenticeships and part-time work

What young people can get in 2026/27, who can claim at 16 or 17, and what happens to your payment when you start an apprenticeship or part-time job.

The short answer

A single person under 25 gets a standard allowance of £338.58 a month from April 2026. Most 16–17 year olds can't claim unless an exception applies. If you work, including as an apprentice, your payment goes down by 55p for every £1 you earn, so work still leaves you better off.

Universal Credit rates 2026/27

Your situation	Monthly standard allowance
Single, under 25	£338.58
Single, 25 or over	£424.90
Couple, both under 25	£528.34 (for you both)
Couple, either 25 or over	£666.97 (for you both)

These are the base amounts. Extra may be added for rent, children, caring or a health condition. Use an independent benefits calculator listed on GOV.UK for your own estimate.

Claiming at 16 or 17

Most 16 and 17 year olds can't claim. You may be able to if, for example, you:

have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work
care for a severely disabled person
are responsible for a child
live without support from your parents or anyone acting as your parent

If this is you, Citizens Advice or your local council can help you check before you claim.

Apprenticeships and Universal Credit

An apprenticeship is a paid job, so your wages count as earnings. Your payment drops by 55p for each £1 you earn, which means you keep 45p of every extra pound. Check what you'll be paid with our apprenticeship wage calculator and apprentice pay guide.

Part-time work while claiming

There's no hours limit that stops your claim. Your earnings are reported to DWP automatically through PAYE and your next payment adjusts. Before taking a job, check the legal pay for your age on our minimum wage by age page, then browse jobs for young people.

How to claim, step by step

1
Check you're eligible
Read the GOV.UK eligibility rules, especially if you're 16–17 or in full-time education.
2
Get your details ready
You'll need ID, bank details, your address and rent details, and any wages or savings information.
3
Claim online
Create a Universal Credit account on GOV.UK and complete the claim in one go if you can.
4
Go to your first appointment
Agree your Claimant Commitment with a work coach, which sets out what you'll do to find or prepare for work.
5
Report changes
Tell DWP through your online journal about new jobs, address changes or a move into training.

Shine can help with the work-search side: build a first CV and keep a plan to show your work coach.

Get new 16+ jobs every Thursday

One email a week with roles added near you, before they fill up. Optional, free, and you can turn it off any time.

You'll create a free Shine account so we know where to send them.

FAQs

How much Universal Credit do you get if you're under 25?: From April 2026 the standard allowance for a single person under 25 is £338.58 a month. You may get extra for housing costs, children, caring or a health condition.
Can you claim Universal Credit at 16 or 17?: Only in some situations, for example if you have a health condition or disability that limits work, care for a disabled person, are responsible for a child, or live without support from your parents. Check the GOV.UK eligibility page or speak to Citizens Advice.
Can I get Universal Credit as an apprentice?: You may be able to, because an apprenticeship is paid work. Your wages are reported automatically and your payment goes down by 55p for every £1 you earn. Whether anything is left depends on your pay and circumstances.
Does a part-time job stop my Universal Credit?: No. Payments reduce gradually as you earn rather than stopping at a set number of hours, so working usually leaves you better off. Some people, such as parents or those with limited capability for work, can earn a set amount first before any reduction.
Can I claim Universal Credit while at college or university?: Usually not if you're in full-time education, unless an exception applies, such as being responsible for a child or living with a partner who is eligible. See the GOV.UK 'studying or in training' rules.

Sources: GOV.UK: Universal Credit, what you'll get, GOV.UK: eligibility, GOV.UK: how wages affect payments, DWP benefit rates 2026 to 2027. Last reviewed 26 October 2026 by the Shine careers team.

More help: teen jobs, minimum wage by age, first CV template.