MILLIONS on Universal Credit will start seeing extra cash land in their bank accounts within days.
The Department for Work and Pensions boosted most benefit payments by 1.7% from April with the State Pension also jumping by 4.1%.
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But due to how Universal Credit is paid (based on monthly assessment periods) most families haven’t seen the hike just yet.
Those whose assessment period began before April 7 will finally see the boost in their May payment, due to start landing from May 13.
However, anyone whose assessment started after April 7 will need to wait until June for the new 2025/26 rates to kick in.
It means thousands could now be due a higher payment this month, easing the pressure as the cost of living continues to bite.
Here’s a full breakdown of how much more you could be getting:
Universal Credit standard allowance (monthly)
- Single, under 25: £316.98 (up from £311.68)
- Single, 25 or over: £400.14 (up from £393.45)
- Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 (up from £489.23)
- Joint claimants, one or both 25+: £628.10 (up from £617.60)
Extra amounts for children
- First child (born before April 6, 2017): £339 (up from £333.33)
- Child born after April 6, 2017 or subsequent children: £292.81 (up from £287.92)
- Disabled child (lower rate): £158.76 (up from £156.11)
- Disabled child (higher rate): £495.87 (up from £487.58)
Extra for limited capability for work
- Limited capability: £158.76 (up from £156.11)
- Work-related activity: £423.27 (up from £416.19)
Carer’s element
- Caring for a severely disabled person at least 35 hours a week: £201.68 (up from £198.31)
Work allowance increases
- Higher work allowance (no housing): £684 (up from £673)
- Lower work allowance (with housing): £411 (up from £404)
Remember, Universal Credit is paid in arrears, so your next payment is always based on your previous month’s circumstances.
Even though the increase officially took effect from April 6, the new amounts only apply after your first full assessment period of the new tax year.
So if your assessment period started before April 7, your payment due this month should include the new rates.
But if it started after, you’ll need to wait until June to see the extra money.
Full list of benefit pay rises this month
MILLIONS on benefits are set for a pay rise this month as the Government increases welfare payments.
Most benefits will rise by 1.7% this month, while the state pension has gone up by 4.1% to keep up with soaring costs of living.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed the increase, which will applies to Universal Credit, Child Benefit, PIP, DLA, Carer’s Allowance, ESA, and more.
Exactly how much more cash you’ll get depends on your circumstances – but here’s a full list of what’s going up:
Universal Credit
Standard allowance (monthly)
- Under 25: £311.68 → £316.98
- 25 and over: £393.45 → £400.14
- Joint claimants under 25: £489.23 → £497.55
- Joint claimants 25 or over: £617.60 → £628.10
Child elements
- First child (born before April 6, 2017): £333.33 → £339
- Other children: £287.92 → £292.81
- Disabled child: £156.11 → £158.76 (lower), £487.58 → £495.87 (higher)
Carer’s element: £198.31 → £201.68
Limited capability for work: £156.11 → £158.76
Limited capability for work and work-related activity: £416.19 → £423.27
Work allowance
- Higher (no housing amount): £673 → £684
- Lower: £404 → £411
State Pension
New full state pension: £221.20 → £230.25 per week
Old basic state pension: £169.50 → £176.45
Annual increase: £11,502.40 → £11,975
Child Benefit
- Eldest child: £25.60 → £26.05
- Additional children: £16.95 → £17.25
PIP
Daily living component
- Enhanced: £108.55 → £110.40
- Standard: £72.65 → £73.90
Mobility component
- Enhanced: £75.75 → £77.05
- Standard: £28.70 → £29.20
Carer’s Allowance
Attendance Allowance
- Higher rate: £108.55 → £110.40
- Lower rate: £72.65 → £73.90
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Highest: £108.55 → £110.40
- Middle: £72.65 → £73.90
- Lowest: £28.70 → £29.20
Mobility component
- Higher: £75.75 → £77.05
- Lower: £28.70 → £29.20
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Single:
- Under 25: £71.70 → £72.90
- 25 and over: £90.50 → £92.05
- Couples: Over 18: £142.25 → £144.65
Housing Benefit
- Single under 25: £71.70 → £72.90
- Single 25 and over: £90.50 → £92.05
- Couple over 18: £142.25 → £144.65
- Child element: £83.24 → £84.66
Jobseeker’s Allowance (New Style)
- Under 25: £71.70 → £72.90
- 25 and over: £90.50 → £92.05
- Pensioners: £127.65 → £135.05
Statutory Payments
- Maternity Allowance: £184.03 → £187.18
- Parental pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, bereavement): £184.03 → £187.18
- Statutory Sick Pay: £116.75 → £118.75
Pension Credit
Guarantee Credit
- Single: £218.15 → £227.10
- Couple: £332.95 → £346.60
Savings Credit:
- Single: £17.01 → £17.30
- Couple: £19.04 → £19.36
Widowed Parent’s Allowance
How to apply for Universal Credit
You can claim Universal Credit if you are struggling on a low income or are out of work.
Whether you’re able to claim Universal Credit depends on your individual circumstances.
You may be able to get Universal Credit if:
- you’re on a low income or out of work
- you’re 18 or over – but there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17
- you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is)
- you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
- you live in the UK
If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you will need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Universal Credit.
The number of children you have does not affect your eligibility but it may affect how much you get.
If you live with your partner their income and savings will be taken into account, even if they are not eligible for Universal Credit.
If you’re not eligible for Universal Credit, you can use the government’s benefits calculator to find out what help you can get.
You can apply for Universal Credit online by visiting the gov.uk website.
You’ll need a form of ID, your bank account details, and any income or housing information ready to go.
No internet? Call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 to apply by phone.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.