Q&A now open: Universal Credit for disabled young people in education
2 mins read
Friday 30 January 2026
The rules around when a disabled young person aged 16-20 can claim Universal Credit while in education are complicated. Many families need to take the right steps months in advance.
In many cases, families will need to make a ‘credits only’ claim for new-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) before their son or daughter can later move on to Universal Credit as a young adult. These claims can take several months to be decided. So if you’re hoping your child will be able to claim Universal Credit from September, it’s important not to delay.
To help families navigate this complex system, our Family Finance Team is running a dedicated Q&A, offering personalised answers to your questions about:
- Universal Credit for young people in education.
- Making a ‘credits only’ claim for new-style ESA.
- What applies when a young person is staying in education, changing courses, or leaving education.
This is your chance to get clear, tailored advice from our expert advisers.
How the Q&A works
- Receive a personalised reply from our Family Finance Team
- We’ll also share a round-up of common issues raised on our website, so families can learn from each other’s experiences.
The Q&A is open to families across the UK, but there is a 30-question cap as we’re a small (but mighty!) team. Don’t wait too long to submit your question.
