Thousands on Universal Credit to get huge pay rise this month – are you eligible?
THOUSANDS of households on Universal Credit will get a huge pay rise this month.
Benefit payments rose by 1.7% on April 7, which was in line with the consumer price index (CPI) level of inflation for September 2024.
But although the new rates came into effect in April, most people did not see their payments increase until last month.
Meanwhile, others will have to wait until this month to get the boost.
This is because people on Universal Credit have to wait longer to receive the uprating because of how the benefit is assessed.
The date you will receive the pay boost depends on when your last assessment period was.
Universal Credit is paid monthly and is based on your circumstances each month.
This is known as your 'assessment period' and begins the day you make your claim.
The new Universal Credit rates will not come into effect until after the first full one-month assessment period, which started on or after April 7.
Those whose assessment period started after April 7 saw their benefits rise as early as May 13.
But those whose assessment period started earlier than this could be forced to wait until June 12 to get the payment boost.
Here is when you will get the payment 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 full list of the new benefit rates for 2025-26 so you can check 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)
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.
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)
Other help for those on benefits
Councils across England have started giving out help after receiving funding through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
Some of these councils are distributing support to those on benefits, including Universal Credit.
worth up to £120 to those who are struggling.
Contact your council to find out what help is on offer.
You can find your council area by visiting gov.uk/find-local-council.
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