Universal Credit Income and Capital - Unearned income
This guide explains the rules relating to income and capital for Universal Credit (UC)
- Last reviewed 25 February 2026
Other income aside from your take-home pay (earned income) can be taken into account. This can be referred to as 'unearned income' by the DWP.
Most unearned income which you could use to meet your living costs will be taken into account in full, so your maximum Universal Credit award will be reduced by £1 for every £1 of unearned income.
Benefit income taken into account:
- Contributory/New Style Jobseeker's Allowance
- Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Carer Support Payment (Scotland)
- Bereavement Allowance
- Widowed Mother's Allowance
- Widowed Parent's Allowance
- Widow's Pension
- Maternity Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Benefit - excluding any increase where constant attendance is needed and for exceptionally severe disablement
- State Pension
You can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to see exactly how much will be deducted from your Universal Credit because of your income.
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