Universal Credit Health Element - How much can I get?

Each health element is:

• £423.27 per month for the higher rate of the limited capability for work and work-related activity element (LCWRA) for severe conditions or terminal illness or claims made before 6 April 2026.
• £217.26 per month for the lower rate of the LCWRA for the claims on or after 6 April 2026.
• £158.76 per month for the old health element (limited capability for work element (LCW))

Which health element can I get?

It is important to check when you first reported your health condition, as this determines which rate applies to you. 

If you declared a health condition or disability on or before 5 April 2025 and you are later found to have LCWRA, you will still be entitled to the higher rate, even if the decision on your award is made after 6 April 2026. 

Examples of what counts as starting your health journey before 6 April 2026:

• You were continuously entitled to UC including the LCWRA element before 6 April 2026.
• You were awaiting your first Work Capability Assessment (WCA) before 6 April 2026. 
• You already had LCWRA and were awaiting a reassessment before 6 April 2026.
• You were entitled to the support component of ESA or New Style ESA before 6 April 2026 and later claimed UC.
• You were found to have LCWRA but were still in the 3-month waiting period before the element could be added.

Joint claims

If you are making a joint claim and you both have LCW or LCWRA, your award will only include one element:

• If you both have LCW, you will receive that element.
• If one or both of you have LCWRA, you will receive that element.

If you care for someone

If you're eligible for the carer's element, you cannot get it with LCW or LCWRA. You will only get one extra payment.

If you are part of a couple and you get one extra payment and your partner gets the other, both payments are included in your joint claim.

Find out more about the Carer's Element of Universal Credit.