Millions of Universal Credit claimants set for bigger payments from this week
Millions of Universal Credit claimants set for bigger payments from this week
The annual uprating to benefits took place on April 7 with Universal Credit payments increasing by 1.7% - however, the higher rates only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that started on or after that date
Universal Credit payments will increase this month
(Image: John Myers )
Millions of Universal Credit recipients will experience an increase in their payments from this month as the annual benefits uprating takes effect.
Universal Credit payments saw a 1.7% rise from April 7 - however, as Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, most individuals won't see their first increased payment until this month. The elevated rates only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that commenced on or after April 7. Your assessment period is utilised to determine your Universal Credit amount, based on earnings or deductions during this timeframe.
Universal Credit payments are disbursed a week following the final date of each assessment period. This means if your last Universal Credit assessment period began on April 7, you'll start receiving the higher payments from this week. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here .
Some individuals would have seen their first increased payment at the end of June. Universal Credit comprises a standard allowance, which is determined by your age and whether you're claiming individually or as part of a couple, reports the Mirror.
The standard allowance is the fundamental amount you receive before any additional elements - such as having children or being unable to work due to illness - or any deductions are considered.
Here's how much the Universal Credit standard allowance has increased:.
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For singles under 25: from £311.68 a month to £316.98 a month.
a month to a month. For singles aged 25 or over: from £393.45 a month to £400.14 a month.
a month to a month. For joint claimants both under 25: from £489.23 a month to £497.55 a month.
a month to a month. For joint claimants, both or one aged 25 or over, the amount has increased from £617.60 a month to £628.10 a month.
Universal Credit is taking the place of six older legacy benefits, namely Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Benefit.
Claims for Tax Credits, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and Housing Benefit have now been closed. However, households claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) still need to transition to Universal Credit.
The goal is to reach out to all remaining ESA claimants by September 2025. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) aims to have everyone on Universal Credit by March 2026.
In other DWP updates, the benefits department has recently begun prompting Universal Credit claimants to verify any changes in their circumstances.
If you're a Universal Credit claimant, it's your duty to report any changes in your circumstances to the DWP. This could include changes at work, a change of address, or alterations in your living arrangements.
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Failure to report changes to Universal Credit could result in receiving an incorrect amount of money, which you may be required to repay.
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