Millions of households are set to see Universal Credit payments increase from April 2026
Millions of households across the UK are set to see their Universal Credit payments increase in just a few months. According to the latest Government statistics, 7.5 million people are currently receiving the benefit, with around 47,000 claims being made each week on average.
From the beginning of April, many benefits and payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will see significant increases to their payment rates. Further changes are also planned for April as a result of the Universal Credit Act 2025.
For instance, the standard allowance for Universal Credit will rise across the board, while many parents could also receive more due to a significant change to the child limit in Universal Credit. Currently, a two-child limit is in place for the benefit, which means the DWP will not pay any additional benefits for parents who have more than two children.
However, the government has confirmed that this two-child limit will be abolished from April of this year, allowing extra payments for third and subsequent children. Bear in mind, though, that despite this significant change, the overall benefit cap will still remain in place for Universal Credit.
Universal Credit rates for 2026/27
The government has confirmed that the Standard allowance for Universal Credit will increase by 2.3%. Furthermore, the following payments have been proposed by the government to increase from April 2026:
Single people
- Under 25: From £316.98 to £338.58
- 25 or over: From £400.14 to £424.90
Couples
- Joint claimants that are both under 25: From £497.55 to £528.34
- Joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over: From £628.10 to £666.97
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Child Amounts
- First child (born prior to 6 April 2017): From £339.00 to £351.88
- First child (born on or after 6 April 2017) / subsequent children: From £292.81 to £303.94
Disabled Child Additions
- Lower rate addition: From £158.76 to £164.79
- Higher rate addition: From £495.87 to £514.71
Limited Capability for Work (LCW) / Work-Related Activity (LCWRA)
- Limited Capability for Work amount: Remaining at £158.76
- Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity amount (On, or after, April 6, 2026): From £423.27 to £217.26
- Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity amount (Pre-2026 claimant, severe conditions criteria, or terminally ill): From £423.27 to £429.80
Carer Amount
- Carer amount: From £201.68 to £209.34
Childcare Costs Amount
- Maximum for one child: From £1,031.88 to £1,071.09
- Maximum for two or more children: From £1,768.94 to £1,836.16
Housing & Work Allowances
- Non-dependants’ housing cost contributions: From £93.02 to £96.55
- Higher work allowance (no housing amount): One or more dependent children or limited capability for work: From £684.00 to £710.00
- Lower work allowance: One or more dependent children or limited capability for work: From £411.00 to £427.00
