The majority of benefit payments will go up by 1.7% from April, meanwhile, the state pension will increase by 4.1% under the triple lock promise
Benefit payments including Universal Credit and PIP are set to rise by 1.7% from this April.
The majority of welfare payments are uprated every year by the previous September level of inflation, which was confirmed to be 1.7%. Meanwhile, the state pension will increase by 4.1% under the triple lock promise. The triple lock guarantees the state pension rises each April by the highest out of inflation (using the previous September inflation figure), wages (average growth between May and July) or 2.5% – whichever is highest.
We’ve rounded up how much some of the most common benefits will rise by this spring. Keep in mind Universal Credit is replacing six older legacy benefits – including Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is claimed by more than six million people in the UK. Here is how much the Universal Credit standard allowance – which is the basic amount you get before any additional payments or deductions are accounted for – is likely to rise by.
-
Single under 25: £311.68 a month to £316.98 a month
-
Single 25 or over: £393.45 a month to £400.14 a month
-
Joint claimants both under 25: £489.23 a month to £497.55 a month
-
Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £617.60 a month to £628.10 a month
Some people are entitled to additional payments on top of their standard allowance – for example, you may receive more money if you have children or a long-term illness.
Child element
- First child born before April 6, 2017: £333.33 a month to £339 a month
- First child born on or after April 6, 2017 or second child and subsequent child: £287.92 a month to £292.81 a month
- Disabled child element lower rate: £156.11 a month to £158.76 a month
- Disabled child higher rate: £487.58 a month to £495.87 a month
Limited capability for work
- Limited capability for work: £156.11 a month to £158.76 a month
- Limited capability for work or work-related activity: £416.19 a month to £423.27 a month
Carer element
- £198.31 a month to £201.68 a month
Work allowance
- Higher work allowance (no housing amount): £ 673 a month to £684 a month
- Lower work allowance (with housing amount): £404 a month to £411 a month
Childcare costs element
- Maximum for one child: £1,014.63 a month to £1,031.88 a month
- Maximum for two or more children: £1,739.37 a month to £1,768.94 a month
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is a benefit given to those over the state pension age who need help with day-to-day personal care or supervision due to illness or disability.
Lower rate
- £72.65 a week to £73.90 a week
Higher rate
- £ 108.55 a week £110.40 a week
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is awarded to people who are looking after someone for at least 35 hours a week. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for to claim Carer’s Allowance.
- £81.90 a week to £83.30 a week
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is a monthly payment available to parents or anyone in charge of looking after a child.
- First or eldest child: £ 25.60 a week to £26.05 a week
- Any additional child: £ 16.95 a week to £17.25 a week
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people. You can only apply for DLA if you’re under 16 and you live in England or Wales. Those who live in Scotland can apply for Child Disability Payment.
DLA care component rates will increase as follows:
- The highest rate: £ 108.55 a week to £110.40 a week
- The middle rate from £ 72.65 a week to £73.90 a week
- The lowest rate from £ 28.70 a week to £29.20 a week
DLA mobility component rates will increase as follows:
- The higher rate: £75.75 a week to £77.05 a week
- The lower rate: £28.70 a week to £29.20 a week
Pension Credit
Pension Credit tops up your income if you’re above state pension age. It is also known as a gateway benefit, as it unlocks other perks such as council tax discounts and free TV licences for over-75s.
Standard minimum guarantee
- Single: £218.15 a week to £227.10 a week
- Couple: £ 332.95 a week to £346.60 a week
There are additional elements available if you’re a carer, you’re disabled, you’re looking after children, or if you have savings and reached state pension age before April 2016.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment – or PIP for short – is designed to help working age adults living with an illness, disability or mental health condition. PIP is made up of two components – a daily living rate and a mobility rate – and you can be entitled to both or just one of these.
Daily living
Mobility
State Pension
You claim the new state pension if you’re a man born on or after April 6, 1951, or a woman on or after April 6, 1953. You claim the basic state pension if you’re a man born before April 6, 1951, or a woman born before April 6, 1953.
- Full new state pension: £221.20 a week to £230.25 a week
- Full old basic state pension: £169.50 a week to £176.45 a week
You may not get the full amounts listed above as it all depends on your National Insurance record.
