The new rates of Universal Credit are set to come into effect this week.
DWP and HMRC benefits saw a 6.7 per cent rise at the start of the new financial year, based on last September’s inflation figure.
Universal Credit recipients have had to wait longer than most for the increase due to being paid in arrears and amounts being calculated on a monthly rate, rather than weekly. This has resulted in a significant delay and sparked a new petition calling for change.
Despite the increase taking effect from April 8, it takes over a month to filter through to people’s payments. Some individuals will begin receiving benefits at the updated rate this week, while others will have to wait until June, reports Birmingham Live.
The first recipients of the new amounts will be those receiving their Universal Credit on Tuesday, May 14.
The payment delay has left many claimants confused, particularly as most other benefits are based on weekly rates and paid out every week, fortnight or four weeks. Those receiving more than one benefit will have already seen the rise in their Child Benefit, ESA, PIP and Carer’s Allowance, for example.
Full list of dates when new Universal Credit increase will be applied
Everyone on Universal Credit will see the new payment rates applied from May 14, as detailed below:
May 14 – for individuals whose assessment period runs from April 8-May 7.
May 15 – for those assessed from April 9-May 8.
May 16 – for those evaluated between April 10-May 9.
May 17 – for people with an assessment period of April 11-May 10.
May 18 – for those assessed from April 12-May 11.
May 19 – for individuals whose assessment period is April 13-May 12.
May 20 – for those evaluated between April 14-May 13.
May 21 – for people with an assessment period of April 15-May 14.
May 22 – for those assessed from April 16-May 15.
May 23 – for individuals whose assessment period is April 17-May 16.
May 24 – for those evaluated between April 18-May 17.
May 25 – for people with an assessment period of April 19-May 18.
May 26 – for those assessed from April 20-May 19.
May 27 – for individuals whose assessment period is April 21-May 20.
May 28 – for those evaluated between April 22-May 21.
May 29 – for people with an assessment period of April 23-May 22.
May 30 – for those assessed from April 24-May 23.
May 31 – for individuals whose assessment period is April 25-May 24.
Everyone else will see the rise in their June payment. The first to receive it in June are those whose assessment runs from April 26 to May 25 and who get paid on June 1.
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