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Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions

Remove savings cap on Universal Credit for Covid-19 related Self Employed claims

Closed 154 signatures

What the petition asks

Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit and can not be claimed by people with savings above the upper capital limit of £16,000.00. This means those Self Employed people that you have directed to UC for housing or income support who have savings need to draw down on their savings first.
Employees and Employers are being supported with the 80% salary grant for those unable to work during the Coronavirus, provided they are kept on and furloughed by their employer and enrolled in the pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) system. This is not means tested, as such employee's savings are not taken in to account and are protected. This is not a fair outcome for the Self Employed that have lost their ability to work due. They should not have to use their savings when employed people do not.

Timeline

16 Apr 2020 Petition opened for signatures
16 Oct 2020 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 154
Status Closed
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 16 Apr 2020
Closed 16 Oct 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.