Millions of Brits are in line for a raise in their benefits in just a few weeks, including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, PIP and the State Pension.
Around 19.7 million households are to receive at least one DWP or HMRC benefit that will be hiked from April 2025.
However, this isn’t anything out of the ordinary, as welfare payments typically increase year-on-year in line with the rate of inflation.
Express.co.uk goes through which benefits are going up and by how much.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit replaces 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. More than six million people in the UK claim it.
The standard allowance, which is the basic amount you receive before any additional payments or deductions are accounted for, will 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 receive additional payments for factors such as dependent children or long-term illness.
For those with children:
- 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
For those with 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
For carers:
- £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
For those with childcare:
- 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
People eligible for this are those over the state pension age who need help or supervision with personal care because of 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
This benefit is given to those who are looking after someone for 35 hours or more a week. You don’t have to live with, or be related to them to be eligible.
- £81.90 a week to £83.30 a week
Child Benefit
This monthly payment is for parents or anyone 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 those with a disability. 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
If you’re above state pension age, this credit tops up your income. It also allows the recipient to access other things 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)
This is for adults of working age who have an illness, disability or mental health condition. PIP has two components – a daily living rate and a mobility rate. You can be entitled to both or just one of these.
Daily living:
- Lower rate: £72.65 a week to £73.90 a week
- Higher rate: £108.55 a week to £110.40 a week
Mobility:
- Lower rate: £28.70 a week to £29.20 a week
- Higher rate: £75.75 a week to £77.05 a week
State Pension
If you’re a man born on or after April 6, 1951, or a woman born on or after April 6, 1953 you can claim the new state pension. The basic state pension is for men born before April 6, 1951, or a woman born before April 6, 1953.
