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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
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:. Article continues below 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. Article continues below Failure to report changes to Universal Credit could result in receiving an incorrect amount of money, which you may be required to repay.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Universal Credit claimants due pay rise this month - how much more you'll get
Universal Credit payments rose by 1.7% from April 7 - however, Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, so most people will not receive their first higher rate until this month Millions of Universal Credit claimants will see their payments increase from this month as the annual uprating to benefits kick in. Universal Credit payments rose by 1.7% from April 7 - however, Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, so most people will not receive their first higher rate until this month. The higher rates only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that started on or after April 7. Your assessment period is used to calculate how much Universal Credit you get, based on earnings or deductions in this period. Universal Credit payments are paid a week after the last date of each assessment period. It means if your last assessment period Universal Credit started on April 7, you will get the higher payments from this week. Some people would have received their first higher payment at the end of June. Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance which is based on your age and if you're claiming as a single person, or in a couple. The standard allowance is the basic amount you get before any additional elements - for example, if you have children or are unable to work due to illness - or any deductions are taken into account. Here is how much the Universal Credit standard allowance has risen by: Single under 25: from £311.68 a month to £316.98 a month Single 25 or over: from £393.45 a month to £400.14 a month Joint claimants both under 25: from £489.23 a month to £497.55 a month Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: from £617.60 a month to £628.10 a month Universal Credit is replacing 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. Existing claims for Tax Credits, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit have now been closed - but households claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) still need to be moved to Universal Credit. The aim is for all remaining ESA claimants set to be contacted by September 2025. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) wants everyone moved to Universal Credit by March 2026. In more DWP news, the benefits department has recently started prompting Universal Credit claimants to confirm if they've had a change in circumstances. If you claim Universal Credit, then it is your responsibility to report any change in circumstances to the DWP. This can include changes at work, if you've moved address, or your living arrangements have changed. If you don't report a change to Universal Credit, you could receive too much or too little money, which you may need to pay back.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Universal Credit claimants due pay rise this week as benefit change kicks in
Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, so the first round of benefit payments that will include the higher rates will be paid from this week Millions of Universal Credit claimants will finally start to see their benefit payments increased from this week. Universal Credit payments went up by 1.7% from April 7. However, as Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, the first round of payments that will include the higher rates will be paid from this week. This is because the new increased payment rates only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that started on or after April 7. Your assessment period is used to calculate how much Universal Credit you get, based on any earnings you may have made through work, or deductions in this period. Universal Credit payments are paid a week after the last date of each assessment period. It means if your last assessment period Universal Credit started on April 7, you will get the higher payments from this week. Some people will not see the increased payments reflected in their Universal Credit until June. Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance which is based on your age and if you're claiming as a single person, or in a couple. The standard allowance is the basic amount you get before any additional elements - for example, if you have children or are unable to work due to illness - or any deductions are taken into account. Here is how much the Universal Credit standard allowance has risen by: Single under 25: from £311.68 a month to £316.98 a month Single 25 or over: from £393.45 a month to £400.14 a month Joint claimants both under 25: from £489.23 a month to £497.55 a month Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: from £617.60 a month to £628.10 a month Universal Credit is replacing 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. Existing claims for Tax Credits, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit have now been closed - but households claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) still need to be moved to Universal Credit. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is in the process of sending "migration notices" to these households. This letter will give you a three-month deadline to move across to Universal Credit. If you don't claim Universal Credit by the end of your three-month deadline, your existing benefits will stop. The DWP is increasing the number of migration notices sent each month to 83,000. The aim is for all remaining ESA claimants set to be contacted by September 2025. The DWP wants everyone moved to Universal Credit by March 2026.
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Hundreds and thousands urged to look out for key Universal Credit letters ahead of benefit axe
We've explained exactly what you need to do TO YOUR BENEFIT Hundreds and thousands urged to look out for key Universal Credit letters ahead of benefit axe HUNDREDS of thousands of people on legacy benefits are being urged to keep an eye out for key letters dropping through their letterboxes – or risk losing vital payments. It's all part of the government's plan to move everyone on old-style benefits over to Universal Credit by 2026, under a process called 'managed migration'. Advertisement 1 The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has already started sending out the notices in waves, with a huge ramp-up in pace this year Credit: Getty Those affected will get a migration notice through the post – and ignoring it could mean your current benefits get stopped altogether. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has already started sending out the notices in waves, with a huge ramp-up in pace this year. As The Sun first revealed around 83,000 letters are now being posted each month, aiming to reach all remaining claimants of income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) by September 2025. So far, 200,000 ESA claimants have already made the switch, but a further 400,000 still need to move over – and fast. Advertisement Act now or miss out Once you get the letter, you'll have up to three months to make a claim for Universal Credit. If you don't act by the deadline stated, your existing payments will be cut off – and you won't be able to go back. And it's not just ESA. The switch has affected anyone that was receiving: Working Tax Credit Child Tax Credit Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Income Support Housing Benefit (unless you live in temporary or supported housing) Households still receiving income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) are now being urged to make the move to Universal Credit. ESA provides financial support for those unable to work due to illness or disability. Advertisement Initially, the government planned to transfer all ESA claimants to Universal Credit by the end of 2028. However, this deadline has since been brought forward to March 2026. Worried about money? Here's help It's worth checking how much you might get before making the move. Using a free online benefits calculator – like the ones from EntitledTo or Turn2Us – can help you compare figures. Once you're on Universal Credit, you can't switch back, so it's crucial to do the maths. Advertisement Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence There's also help available if you're unsure about the process. Citizens Advice offers a Help to Claim service that's free and confidential: England: 0800 144 8 444 Scotland: 0800 023 2581 Wales: 08000 241 220 Or visit your local Jobcentre if you prefer to speak to someone face to face. The government says most people will get the same amount or more on Universal Credit thanks to a 'transitional protection' top-up – but only if you move over after receiving a Migration Notice and by your deadline. Claim before getting the letter, and you won't qualify for that top-up. If you or your partner is over State Pension age, the rules are slightly different. You may still be asked to claim Universal Credit, depending on your situation. Advertisement Will I be better off on Universal Credit? ANALYSIS by James Flanders, The Sun's Chief Consumer Reporter: Around 1.4million people on legacy benefits will be better off after switching to Universal Credit, according to the government. A further 300,000 would see no change in payments, while around 900,000 would be worse off under Universal Credit. Of these, around 600,000 can get top-up payments (transitional protection) if they move under the managed migration process, so they don't lose out on cash immediately. The majority of those - around 400,000 - are claiming employment support allowance (ESA). Around 100,000 are on tax credits, while fewer than 50,000 each on other legacy benefits are expected to be affected. Those who move voluntarily and are worse off won't get these top-up payments and could lose cash. Those who miss the managed migration deadline and later make a claim may not get transitional protection. The clock starts ticking on the three-month countdown from the date of the first letter, and reminders are sent via post and text message. There is a one-month grace period after this, during which any claim to Universal Credit is backdated, and transitional protection can still be awarded. Examples of those who may be entitled to less on Universal Credit include: Households getting ESA and the severe disability premium and enhanced disability premium Households with the lower disabled child addition on legacy benefits Self-employed households who are subject to the Minimum Income Floor after the 12-month grace period has ended In-work households that worked a specific number of hours (e.g. lone parent working 16 hours claiming working tax credits Households receiving tax credits with savings of more than £6,000 (and up to £16,000) Either way, if these households don't switch in the future, they risk missing out on any future benefit increase and seeing payments frozen. It's best to read the guidance carefully or speak to a benefits adviser before making a move. Even if you don't act now, your benefits will eventually end. But if you delay your Universal Credit claim until after the deadline in your letter, you'll lose access to that top-up safety net – and might get less money. Read to claim? Here's what you'll need to need You can apply online, and you'll need: Your bank details An email address Access to a phone Proof of identity (like a passport, driving licence or P60) You'll also need details about your housing, earnings, savings, and any health conditions or childcare costs. If you're moving from ESA, you might not need another Work Capability Assessment – but it depends on your individual case. If you've received a migration notice, don't ignore it. Advertisement Between July 2022 and December 2024, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) sent almost 1.6million migration notices. However, according to the DWP's latest figures, 355,940 individuals lost their benefits after failing to act on migration notices received between the period. That's why it's vital to act on your migration notice before the deadline stated in your letter. Some 1.1million individuals have since made successful claims for Universal Credit, and another 174,576 are still in the process of transitioning, the latest figures show. Advertisement Universal Credit might feel like a big change, but missing your deadline could leave you without financial support. And once you're moved over, there's no going back. To find out more about how Universal Credit works and what you could get, head to the official DWP site or speak to Citizens Advice. In other related benefit news, pension savers have been pocketing thousands in tax refunds after being overcharged — and now fresh HMRC changes could stop millions more being stung. Over 15,000 people got an average refund of £2,881 between January and March this year after being overtaxed when they dipped into their pension pots. Advertisement In total, £44million was handed back in just three months, according to new figures — with hopes the amount overpaid will fall thanks to recent rule tweaks. HMRC rolled out a new system this month, aimed at stopping retirees from being wrongly whacked with a sky-high emergency tax bill when making a withdrawal.
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'I got a free £1,200 cash bonus by following this Martin Lewis tip'
The recent Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter shared the story of Clare, who followed Martin's advice by opening a Help to Save account One woman has shared how she managed to get a free cash bonus by following a Martin Lewis saving tip. The recent Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter shared the story of Clare, who followed Martin's advice by opening a Help to Save account. This is a government savings scheme for low-income benefit claimants that pays a 50% bonus on the amount saved up to £1,200. So for every £1 put in the account, the Government will boost it by 50p. The scheme was originally launched by the former Tory government in September 2018 as a way to encourage low-income households to save. You can save between £1 and £50 into the account each month and you can have the account for up to four years. It was due to end for good in April this year, however, Labour extended it for another two years and it will now run until April 2027. Clare told the MSE team that she claimed Universal Credit and had opened one after hearing Martin talk about it. After four years of saving, Clare recently cashed out her Help to Save account. If you pay into the account every month, at the two year mark the Government pays a bonus of 50% on your highest balance during that period. So if you put in £50 every month, you would have saved £1,200 of your own cash - plus you would get a £600 bonus on top. The Government also pays another bonus at the four-year mark too - so you could get a boost of £1,200 overall. Clare told the MSE team: 'I've saved for the last four years... I'm about to cash out my last £2,400 plus my second £600 bonus, so £3,600 in total. "It was tight some months, but I always pulled the cash together to get the max back! Thanks for the tip all those years ago!' Join Money Saving Club's specialist topics For all you savvy savers and bargain hunters out there, there's a golden opportunity to stretch your pounds further. The Money Saving Club newsletter, a favourite among thousands who thrive on catching the best deals, is stepping up its game. Simply follow the link and select one or more of the following topics to get all the latest deals and advice on: Travel; Property; Pets, family and home; Personal finance; Shopping and discounts; Utilities. The rules around the savings account have recently changed. Previously, you could only open a Help to Save account if you got Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, or you were claiming Universal Credit and earned a minimum of £793.17 from paid work in your last assessment period. However, this has now changed, and anyone on Universal Credit who's working and earning at least £1 will qualify for Help to Save. Overall, 7.5million people claim Universal Credit meaning millions of people could be eligible to open one. According to the latest figures from HMRC, more than 500,000 Help to Save accounts have been opened since the scheme launched in 2018, with a total of £492million paid in.
