Millions of benefit claimants will receive more money from next month
Millions receiving benefits will see their payments increase within days as the new financial year brings updated rates. Each April traditionally sees various benefits rise alongside bills and taxes, including a state pension boost under the triple lock and Universal Credit increases aligned with the standard allowance.
The state pension is set to climb by approximately £574.60 annually from next month, courtesy of the triple lock mechanism, which selects the highest figure from wage growth, inflation or 2.5 per cent.
UK pensioners will experience a weekly rise from £230.25 to £241.30, pushing the full annual state pension to £12,547.60. Universal Credit claimants will also see a 6.2 per cent uplift from April 1, with the standard allowance increasing from £316.98 to £338.58 monthly for single people under 25 and £497.55 to £528.34 monthly for couples under 25.
Those claiming UC with children will see payments increase from £339 monthly to £351.88 for first children born before April 6, 2017. For children born on or after April 6, 2017, rates will climb from £292.81 monthly to £303.94, reports the Express.
The majority of benefits will rise by 3.8 per cent next month, following confirmation that UK inflation held steady at that level in September, contrary to predictions it would reach 4 per cent. The state pension will receive a larger 4.8 per cent boost thanks to the triple lock, whilst Universal Credit undergoes a “rebalancing” increase, with standard allowances rising by roughly 6.2 per cent.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is legally obliged to uprate these benefits according to inflation every April, whilst others require parliamentary approval.
State Pension
- New state pension: Increasing from £230.25 to £241.30 per week
- Basic state pension: Increasing from £176.45 to £184.90 per week
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Daily Living Component
- Enhanced rate: Increasing from £110.40 to £114.60
- Standard rate: Increasing from £73.90 to £76.70
- Personal Independent Payment (PIP) – Mobility Component
- Enhanced rate: Increasing from £77.05 to £80
- Standard rate: Increasing from £29.20 to £30.30
Universal Credit
- Single under 25 rate: Increasing from £316.98 to £338.58
- Single over 25 rate: Increasing from £400.14 to £424.900
- Joint claimants both under 25 rate: Increasing from £497.55 to £528.34
- Joint claimants, one or both over 25 rate: Increasing from £628.10 to £666.97
- First child, born prior to April 6, 2017, rate: Increasing from £339 to £351.88
- First child, born on or after April 6, 2017, and subsequent child rate: Increasing from £292.81 to £303.94
Attendance Allowance
- Higher rate: Increasing from £110.40 to 114.60
- Lower rate: Increasing from £73.90 to £76.70
- Disability Living Allowance – Care Component
- Highest rate: Increasing from £110.40 to £114.60
- Middle rate: Increasing from £73.90 to £76.70 Lowest rate: Increasing from £29.20 to £30.30
- Disability Living Allowance – Mobility Component
- Higher rate: Increasing from £77.05 to £80
- Lower rate: Increasing from £29.20 to £30.30
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