Millions of DWP Universal Credit claimants will not get higher payments until May or June

Universal Credit payments are going up - but millions of claimants will not receive the higher rates until May or June.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that many people claiming Universal Credit will not see the annual uprating reflected in their monthly payments before May 14. And some will have to wait until June 13 to receive the higher amount in their bank account.

The update was shared in the latest edition of Money Box on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday by programme researcher Sandra Hardial during a segment discussing delays to increased State Pension and benefit payments, despite the DWP applying the uplift on April 8, reports the Daily Record. Sandra explained how Universal Credit payments are rising by 6.7% but warned people won’t actually get the money straight away because they are paid in arrears.

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She said: "The six million people on Universal Credit face the longest wait. The DWP has told Money Box that none of them will get the higher rate before the 14th of May and some will have to wait until the 13th of June."

New Universal Credit payment rates 2024/25

Monthly rates are shown unless otherwise stated. A full list of all the new DWP benefit payment rates, including Housing Benefit and deductions can be found on GOV.UK here.

Universal Credit (monthly rates)

Single claimants

• Under 25: £311.68 (from £292.11)

• 25 or over: £393.45 (from £368.74)

Joint claimants

• Joint claimants both under 25: £489.23 (from £458.51)

• Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £617.60 (from £578.82)

Child Amounts

• First child (born prior to April 6, 2017): £333.33 (from £315)

• First child (born on or after April 6, 2017) / second child and subsequent child (where an exception or transitional provision applies): £287.92 (from £269.58)

Disabled Child Additions

• Lower rate addition: £156.11 (from £146.31)

• Higher rate addition: £487.58 (from £456.89)

Limited Capability for Work

• Monthly amount: £156.11 (from £146.31)

Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity

• Monthly amount: £416.19 (from £390.06)

Carer amount

• Monthly amount: £198.31 (from £185.86)

Childcare costs amount

• Maximum for one child: £1014.63 (from ££950.92)

• Maximum for two or more children: £1,739.37 (from £1630.15)

• Non-dependants’ housing cost contributions: £91.47 (from £85.73)

Work Allowances

Higher work allowance (no housing amount)

• One or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £673 (from £631

Lower work allowance

• One or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £404 (from £379)