Guidance

Universal Credit and tax credits

An overview of how people who are claiming tax credits might be affected by Universal Credit.

Documents

Details

This guide provides information on how Universal Credit affects tax credits, including what happens when someone claiming tax credits starts living with a Universal Credit claimant.

It includes information about:

  • reporting changes in circumstances in tax credit claims
  • how a tax credit claim is affected if Universal Credit is claimed
  • how a tax credit claim is affected on moving in with a partner who receives Universal Credit
  • moving to Universal Credit if you have received a Migration Notice letter

Updates to this page

Published 24 November 2014
Last updated 27 June 2023 + show all updates
  1. Added guidance for tax credits claimants who have received a Migration Notice.

  2. Replaced Money Advice Service information with links to MoneyHelper.

  3. Updated the guidance. Since 27 January 2021 you can make a new claim for Universal Credit if you get the severe disability premium or are entitled to it, or you got or were entitled to the severe disability premium in the last month, and you’re still eligible for it.

  4. Amended the wording around tax credits eligibility and Severe Disability Premium (SDP).

  5. Updated guidance to reflect that new claims to Universal Credit can now be made by households with more than 2 children.

  6. Updated to show that Universal Credit is now available everywhere in Great Britain.

  7. Added information and link to Money Advice Service money manager.

  8. Revised version with new information about the roll-out of Universal Credit.

  9. First published.

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