Is debt advice really free?

Yes, with the charities and services listed above. They are funded so you do not have to pay. If a company asks for an up-front fee for advice, stop and check them against the Financial Conduct Authority's register first.

Will getting debt advice affect my credit score?

Talking to an adviser does not affect your credit file. Some solutions, such as a debt management plan or IVA, can be recorded on it. An adviser will explain the effects before you choose.

Will the adviser judge me?

No. Debt advisers help people from all walks of life, and what you tell them is confidential. Many people get into debt after a job loss, illness, relationship breakdown or a rise in living costs.

Does Sterlingsum give debt advice?

No. Sterlingsum is an information site and is not authorised to give debt advice. We link to organisations that are. We do not receive payment from any of the services listed on this page.

Universal Credit explained

The 2026/27 monthly amounts, who can claim, and how it works if you are working.

The short answer

Universal Credit is the main UK benefit for people on a low income, whether you are in work, out of work or unable to work. It is paid monthly and replaces several older benefits. For 2026/27 the standard allowance for a single person aged 25 or over is £424.90 a month, with extra amounts added for children, housing, disability and childcare.

Standard allowance, 2026/27

Every claim starts with a standard allowance, paid monthly:

Single, under 25: £338.58
Single, 25 or over: £424.90
Couple, both under 25: £528.34
Couple, one or both 25 or over: £666.97

Extra amounts can be added on top, such as the child element (£303.94 a month for each child), the housing element to help with rent, extra for disabled children, and help with up to 85% of childcare costs.

The two-child limit has gone

Until April 2026, the child element was only paid for the first two children in most cases. That limit has been scrapped, so families can now claim for all eligible children. If you were previously affected, it is worth checking your claim, and the Citizens Advice page on 2026 changes explains how it works.

Who can claim

You live in the UK and are aged 18 or over, with some exceptions for 16 to 17 year olds.
You are under State Pension age. People over it may be able to claim Pension Credit instead.
You have £16,000 or less in savings and investments. Savings over £6,000 reduce how much you get.
You can be working, self-employed, on a low wage, unemployed or unable to work because of ill health.

How it is paid and how work affects it

Payments are made monthly, based on a monthly assessment period. The first payment usually takes around five weeks, so ask about an advance payment if you need one. An advance is a loan that is repaid from future payments.
If you work, your payment reduces gradually as you earn more. For every £1 you earn above any work allowance, you lose 55p of your payment, so working is usually still better off than not working.
Housing costs are included through the housing element, which is paid to you to pass to your landlord, unless you arrange for direct payment.
Report changes in your circumstances promptly, as they can change your payment.

How to claim

Apply online at GOV.UK. You will need ID, bank details, your National Insurance number and details of your housing and income.
Partners each create an account and link them together.
Free help is available from Citizens Advice Help to Claim and the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Check what else you might be entitled to alongside it, using the GOV.UK benefits checker.

Where to learn more

This guide is for information only and is not benefits, employment or legal advice. Rules and amounts can change, so check the official pages before you rely on them.