Universal Credit & Tax Credits

This Content Was Last Updated on March 10, 2024 by Jessica Garbett

 

If your self employed profits (or for directors, salary and dividend) – combined with any jobs or other sources of income – are below the prescribed limits you may be able to claim Universal Credit to help top your income up.

  • Universal Credit replaces the former Tax Credit System.
  • Universal Credit is means tested as regards both savings and income
  • Your partners income is taken into account
  • Housing costs and children are factored in

Alas Universal Credit is not straightforward, and some perseverance may be needed in understanding it, especially if you are Self Employed.

For more detail, view HMRCs guide

We haven’t given details of the thresholds in this summary, as they are far from simple and vary according to circumstances. It is best to use a calculator to check your circumstances.