Basic conditions of entitlement

The basic conditions of entitlement for universal credit are set out in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (SI.No.376/2013).

NB: See below for equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland.

Lower age condition

Section 4 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and regulation 8 of SI.No.376/2013

Set out the general requirement to be at least 18 years old, and the exceptions where the minimum age is 16.

Upper age condition

Section 4 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012

Sets out the general requirement that a claimant has not reached pension age the qualifying age for pension credit - see also Mixed-age couples conditions of entitlement.

Presence

Section 4 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012

Sets out the requirement to be in Great Britain - for more information, see Residence rules.

Not receiving education

Section 4 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012

Sets out the requirement to not be receiving education - for more information, see Entitlement to universal credit for students.

Acceptance of a claimant commitment

Section 4 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012

Sets out the requirement to accept a claimant commitment - for more information, see Claimant commitment.

Financial conditions

Section 5 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and regulations 17 and 18 of SI.No.376/2013

Set out the capital limit for claiming universal credit and the minimum payment amount.

Restrictions on entitlement

Section 6 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and regulation 19 of SI.No.376/2013

Set out where there are restrictions on entitlement.

In Northern Ireland, the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 together with SR.No.216/2016 make provisions that are largely equivalent to that in Great Britain.

Further explanation of the legislation is set out in guidance. Please note, however, guidance is not binding and cannot override the legislation.

Advice for Decision Making

Chapter E1

Gives guidance as to the basic conditions and financial conditions that must be met to be eligible for universal credit and exceptions that apply

Case law​ provides further interpretation of the legislation and establishes legal precedent.

Upper Tribunal

[2024] UKUT 137 (AAC)

Tribunal’s failure to apply the temporary absence from Great Britain disregard to a claimant caught by Covid-19 travel restrictions amounted to an error of law

Upper Tribunal

[2023] UKUT 9 (AAC)

Tribunal hearing appeal against HMRC decision to end tax credits following universal credit claim is limited to determining whether SSWP is in fact satisfied that claimant meets basic conditions of entitlement to universal credit.

Upper Tribunal

[2022] UKUT 350 (AAC)

Tribunal hearing appeal against HMRC decision to terminate tax credits following claim for universal credit did not have jurisdiction to consider whether DWP was entitled to be satisfied that basic universal credit conditions were met.