Exactly how much Universal Credit is rising for millions in major boost this month – check if you're eligible
MILLIONS of Brits will see a major boost this month with a rise in Universal Credit.
Claimants will see changes to what they get in June as the new rates introduced by the government come into effect.
Universal Credit and other Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits rose by 1.7 per cent from April 7.
This was in line with the consumer price index (CPI) level of inflation for September 2024.
But most people did not see payments increase until last month while others have had to wait until this month to get the boost.
This is due to how Universal Credit is assessed with claimants having to wait longer to receive their increase.
Your last assessment period determines when you will receive the pay boost.
Paid monthly, Universal Credit is based on your circumstances each month.
This is otherwise known as your "assessment period" which begins the day you make your claim.
The new uplift will not come into effect until after the first full one-month assessment period, which started on or after April 7.
If you're someone who had their assessment period start after April 7, you would have seen your benefits rise as early as May 13.
If your assessment period was before this, you would have been paid in May on the old rate, rather than the new.
As a result, you could be forced to wait until June 12 to get the payment boost.
Universal Credit payments are usually made straight to the bank, building society or credit union account of the claimant.
If the payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, you are usually paid on the working day before.
With no bank holidays in the UK in June, there should be no changes to payment dates compared to May which saw some disruption with the Bank Holidays.
In previous years, the DWP has confirmed that backpay will be awarded to those yet to see the increase.
Find out below when you will get your boost based on your previous assessment period:
All the freebies you can get on Universal Credit
March 28 to April 27 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 1
March 29 to April 28 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 2
March 30 to April 29 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 5
March 31 to April 30 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 6
April 1 to April 31 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 7
April 2 to May 1 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 8
April 3 to May 2 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 9
April 4 to May 3 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 10
April 5 to May 4 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 11
April 6 to May 5 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 12
Below is a list of the new benefit rates for 2025-26 so you can see how much extra you might get.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit standard allowance - paid monthly
Single, under 25: £316.98 (up from £311.68)
Single, 25 or over: £400.14 (up from £393.45)
Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 (up from £489.23)
Joint claimants, one or both 25+: £628.10 (up from £617.60)
Extra for limited capability for work
Limited capability: £158.76 (up from £156.11)
Work-related activity: £423.27 (up from £416.19)
Extra amounts for children
First child (born before April 6, 2017): £339 (up from £333.33)
Child born after April 6, 2017 or subsequent children: £292.81 (up from £287.92)
Disabled child (lower rate): £158.76 (up from £156.11)
Disabled child (higher rate): £495.87 (up from £487.58)
Work allowance increases
Higher work allowance (no housing): £684 (up from £673)
Lower work allowance (with housing): £411 (up from £404)
Carer's element
Caring for a severely disabled person at least 35 hours a week: £201.68 (up from £198.31)
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
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