Extra help if you get universal credit

You could get:

• extra help with rent, council tax, bills, childcare, health costs and work costs

• free legal help if you experience domestic abuse, eviction or homelessness

Help with rent

Universal credit (UC) has a housing element to help with rent.

If you need more help, you can apply for a housing payment from your council.

Help with council tax

You could pay less council tax if you're on UC. This is often called council tax support.

You get a lower council tax bill.

More on council tax support and other discounts.

Energy bills and the cost of living

Find out about help with energy bills and debts.

Help with childcare costs

You can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs through UC.

From April 2026 the most you can get each month for childcare is:

• £1071.09 for 1 child

• £1836.16 for 2 or more children

You get your childcare costs back after you pay them. This is part of your UC monthly payment.

More on UC childcare costs on GOV.UK.

Free school meals

From September 2026, your children can get free meals if you get UC.

Healthy Start scheme

Apply for a Healthy Start card online if your income from work is less than £408 a month after tax and either:

• you have a child under the age of 4

• you are at least 10 weeks' pregnant

You can use a Healthy Start card to buy:

• vitamins

• cow milk or formula milk

• fruit, vegetables and pulses

Maternity grants

You can get a £500 maternity grant if both:

• you are pregnant

• you have no other children under 16

If you're having twins or triplets, you can get the grant even if you have other children.

If you have refugee status, humanitarian protection or a Ukraine visa, you can get the grant for your first child born in the UK.

You can apply either:

• up to 11 weeks before your baby is due

• up to 6 months after your baby is born

Advances and hardship payments

You could get a:

• universal credit advance while you wait for your first UC payment

• budgeting advance to help with unexpected household costs

• hardship payment if your benefit is sanctioned

Advances and hardship payments are loans from the DWP.

They are interest free but you pay them back through monthly deductions from your UC.

More on UC deductions for advances and other debts.

Cheaper internet deals

You could get a cheaper broadband or phone package.

Free prescriptions, eye tests and dental work

You can get free prescriptions and help with eye tests and dental treatment if your earnings in your last assessment period were:

• less than £435 - if you do not have a child or are expected to look for work

• less than £935 - if you have a dependent child or are not expected to look for work because of disability or ill health

Take proof that you claim UC and how much you earned in your last assessment period when you get your treatment.

More on help with health costs on the NHS website.

Help with work related costs

Talk to your work coach if you cannot afford things like:

• training

• work clothes

• upfront childcare costs

• travel to work or a job interview

Your work coach decides if you can get help from the flexible support fund.

You might need to show receipts or proof of travel costs.

You do not have to pay this money back.

Free legal advice

You could get:

• free legal help if you could be evicted or homeless

• free family law advice if you experience domestic abuse