The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a significant uprating of 18 key benefits, set to take effect from next week. Millions of claimants across the UK, including those on Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP), will see their payments increase starting April 6.
Annual Uprating Based on Inflation
Most welfare payments are adjusted annually in line with the previous September's inflation rate, which stood at 3.8 per cent. However, the DWP has announced that the Universal Credit standard allowance will rise by 6.2 per cent, surpassing the inflation rate. Due to Universal Credit being paid in monthly arrears, recipients will not notice the higher payment until at least their May instalment.
State Pension Increase Under Triple Lock
The state pension will see a 4.8 per cent increase, upheld by the triple lock guarantee. This pledge ensures the pension rises each April by the highest of inflation, average wage growth, or 2.5 per cent.
Full List of Benefit Changes
Below is the comprehensive list of benefits being uprated, with new weekly rates unless specified otherwise:
- Attendance Allowance: Higher rate: £114.60; Lower rate: £76.70
- Bereavement Benefit: For deaths between April 9, 2001 and April 5, 2017: Widowed Parent's Allowance: £156.65
- Bereavement Support Payment: Standard rate lump sum: £2,500; monthly payments: £100; Higher rate lump sum: £3,500; monthly payments: £350
- Carer's Allowance: £86.45
- Child Benefit (paid by HMRC): Eldest or only child: £27.05; Other children: £17.90
- Disability Living Allowance: Care component: Highest: £114.60, Middle: £76.70, Lowest: £30.30; Mobility component: Higher: £80, Lower: £30.30
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): Various rates for contributory, new style, and income-related ESA, with personal allowances ranging from £75.65 to £153.61 and components like work-related activity at £37.95 and support at £50.35
- Guardian's Allowance (paid by HMRC): £22.95
- Housing Benefit: Rates vary by age and circumstances, e.g., single under 25: £75.65, couple both over 18: £150.15
- Income Support: Personal allowances from £75.65 to £150.15, with dependent children at £87.88
- Industrial Death Benefit: Widow’s pension: Higher rate: £184.90, Lower rate: £55.47; Widower’s pension: £184.90
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: Standard rate between £46.78 and £233.90 based on award level
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA): Contribution-based and income-based rates, with personal allowances similar to other benefits and dependent children at £87.88
- Maternity Allowance: Standard rate: £194.32; threshold: £30.00
- Pension Credit: Standard minimum guarantee: Single: £238.00, Couple: £363.25; additional amounts for severe disability and carers
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): Daily living component: Enhanced: £114.60, Standard: £76.70; Mobility component: Enhanced: £80.00, Standard: £30.30
- Severe Disablement Allowance: Basic rate: £103.86
- State Pension: New State Pension full rate: £241.30; Old State Pension rates from £110.75 to £184.90
- Universal Credit (monthly rates): Standard allowance: Single under 25: £338.58, Single 25 or over: £424.90; Couple both under 25: £528.34, one or both 25 or over: £666.97; Child amounts vary, with disabled child additions from £164.79 to £514.71
These changes aim to support claimants amid economic fluctuations, with the DWP emphasising the broader impact on household finances. The uprating reflects ongoing adjustments to maintain benefit values in line with living costs.
