Finance

DWP Universal Credit payments increase: Key changes to hit claimants in just days


Universal Credit recipients who have not yet seen an increase in their payments can expect to see their benefits uprated from this week. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that benefits will rise by 6.7 percent from April 8.

However, due to the way Universal Credit is paid, not everyone has seen this increase reflected in their payments yet. Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, based on your “assessment period”, and the new increased rate will not be paid until a new Universal Credit assessment period begins on or after April 8.

Typically, Universal Credit payment is received seven days after each monthly assessment period. The first people saw an increase in their payments on May 14, but the last date the increase will filter through is on June 13.

In April, BBC Radio 4’s Money Box programme heard from researcher Sandra Hardial, who cautioned that people won’t actually receive the money immediately. She stated: “The six million people on Universal Credit face the longest wait. The DWP has told Money Box that none of them will get the higher rate before the 14th of May and some will have to wait until the 13th of June.”

Universal Credit consists of a “standard allowance” which is determined by your age and whether you’re claiming as a single person or as a couple. Additional payments may also be added to this – for example, if you care for a child, or if you’re unable to work due to health issues, reports the Mirror.

The Universal Credit “standard allowance” has been updated with new rates, and here’s what you could be pocketing before any deductions are made. If you’re working, have savings accounts, or owe money to the DWP, you might see some reductions.

The current monthly standard allowances are as follows:

For singles under 25, it’s £311.68.

If you’re single and 25 or over, you’ll get £393.45.

Joint claimants under 25 can expect £489.23.

And for joint claimants with one or both aged 25 or over, it’s £617.60.

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