Legislation – Welfare Reform Act 2012

Welfare Reform Act 2012, Cross Heading: Elements of an award is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 05 April 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

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Part 1Universal credit

CHAPTER 1Entitlement and awards

Elements of an award

9Standard allowance

(1)

The calculation of an award of universal credit is to include an amount by way of an allowance for—

(a)

a single claimant, or

(b)

joint claimants.

(2)

Regulations are to specify the amount to be included under subsection (1).

(3)

Regulations may provide for exceptions to subsection (1).

10Responsibility for children and young persons

(1)

The calculation of an award of universal credit is to include an amount for each child or qualifying young person for whom a claimant is responsible.

F1(1A)

But the amount mentioned in subsection (1) is to be available in respect of a maximum of two persons who are either children or qualifying young persons for whom a claimant is responsible.

(2)

Regulations may make provision for the inclusion of an additional amount F2for each child or qualifying young person F3for whom a claimant is responsible who is disabled.

(3)

Regulations are to specify, or provide for the calculation of, amounts to be included under subsection (1) or (2).

(4)

Regulations may provide for exceptions to subsection (1) F4or (1A).

(5)

In this Part, “qualifying young person” means a person of a prescribed description.

11Housing costs

(1)

The calculation of an award of universal credit is to include an amount in respect of any liability of a claimant to make payments in respect of the accommodation they occupy as their home.

(2)

For the purposes of subsection (1)—

(a)

the accommodation must be in Great Britain;

(b)

the accommodation must be residential accommodation;

(c)

it is immaterial whether the accommodation consists of the whole or part of a building and whether or not it comprises separate and self-contained premises.

(3)

Regulations may make provision as to—

(a)

what is meant by payments in respect of accommodation for the purposes of this section F5…;

(b)

circumstances in which a claimant is to be treated as liable or not liable to make such payments;

(c)

circumstances in which a claimant is to be treated as occupying or not occupying accommodation as their home (and, in particular, for temporary absences to be disregarded);

(d)

circumstances in which land used for the purposes of any accommodation is to be treated as included in the accommodation.

(4)

Regulations are to provide for the determination or calculation of any amount to be included under this section.

(5)

Regulations may—

(a)

provide for exceptions to subsection (1);

(b)

provide for inclusion of an amount under this section in the calculation of an award of universal credit—

(i)

to end at a prescribed time, or

(ii)

not to start until a prescribed time.

12Other particular needs or circumstances

(1)

The calculation of an award of universal credit is to include amounts in respect of such particular needs or circumstances of a claimant as may be prescribed.

(2)

The needs or circumstances prescribed under subsection (1) may include—

F6(a)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)

the fact that a claimant has limited capability for work and work-related activity;

(c)

the fact that a claimant has regular and substantial caring responsibilities for a severely disabled person.

(3)

Regulations are to specify, or provide for the determination or calculation of, any amount to be included under subsection (1).

(4)

Regulations may—

(a)

provide for inclusion of an amount under this section in the calculation of an award of universal credit—

(i)

to end at a prescribed time, or

(ii)

not to start until a prescribed time;

(b)

provide for the manner in which a claimant’s needs or circumstances are to be determined.