Benefits and prison
Universal Credit
You will not get the Universal Credit standard allowance if you’re in prison or on remand.
You will also not get the extra payments to help with a disability, health condition or childcare. You might be able to get the housing payment part of Universal Credit if you’re single.
You can make a new claim for Universal Credit when you leave prison. You will be offered an appointment with the prison work coach 12 weeks before your release. The work coach can help you to prepare your Universal Credit application.
If you’re single
You can continue to get the Universal Credit housing payment for up to 6 months if both of the following apply:
- you’re expected to spend 6 months or less in prison
- you were getting the housing payment part of Universal Credit immediately before going to prison or being put on remand
If you’re in a couple
If you were getting Universal Credit as a couple, the person in prison or on remand will no longer be eligible for any Universal Credit payments.
The person not in prison should report a change of circumstances to get the Universal Credit standard allowance and any additional Universal Credit payments, for example for housing or childcare, as a single person.