BENEFIT BOOST
MILLIONS of households saw a boost to their Universal Credit payments in April - here's everything you need to know.
Payments rose by 6.7% on April 8, in line with the consumer price index (CPI) level of inflation for September 2023.
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Every year in April, benefits are usually increased to keep up with inflation - known as "uprating".
This is done so that payments can keep up with the rising cost of food, clothes and fuel, which gradually rise over time.
Inflation usually dictates the uprating of benefits which include housing benefit, child benefit and Universal Credit.
But what is in stall for this year? Here's everything you need to know.
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Will Universal Credit payments rise in 2024?
Universal Credit and other benefit payments have risen in line with September's inflation rate of 6.7% on April 8.
It means a typical family on Universal Credit gets a £470 a year income boost.
This is the equivalent of an extra £39 per month.
But remember, the exact amount your benefits rise by depends on what you're receiving.
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Millions on Universal Credit will also have to wait a bit longer to receive the uprating because of how the benefit is assessed.
It means that the date you'll receive the pay boost will depend on when your last assessment period was.
Universal Credit is paid monthly and is based on your circumstances each month.
This is called your "assessment period" and it starts the day you make your claim.
The new Universal Credit rates will not come into effect until the first assessment period, which starts on or after April 8.
Those whose assessment periods started before April 8 will see the benefits rise in May however, those whose assessment period started after this date won't see it until June.
How much will I get?
Here's a breakdown of how much Universal Credit payments have increased.
Standard allowance (per month)
- For those single and aged under 25, the standard allowance rose from £292.11 to £311.68
- For those single and aged 25 or over, the standard allowance rose from £368.74 to £393.45
- For joint claimants both under 25, the standard allowance rose from £458.51 to £489.23
- For joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over, the standard allowance rose from £578.77 to £617.60
Extra amounts for children
- For those with a first child born before April 6, 2017, the extra amount will go up from £315 to £333.33
- For those with a child born on or after April 6, 2017, or second child and subsequent child, the extra amount will go up from £269.58 to £287.92
- For those with a disabled child, the lower rate addition payment will rise from £146.31 to £156.11 and the higher rate from £456.89 to £487.58
Extra amounts for limited capability for work
- For those deemed to have limited capability for work (LCW), the lower rate amount will go up from £146.31 to £156.11
- The higher rate for LCW will go up from £456.89 to £487.58
- For those deemed to have limited capability for work or work-related activity, the extra amount will go up from £390.06 to £416.19
Extra amounts for being a carer
Universal Credit claimants can receive an additional amount if they care for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week.
This payment rose from £185.86 to £198.31.
Increased work allowance
The higher work allowance (no housing amount) for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work will go up from £631 to £673.
The lower work allowance for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work will increase from £379 to £404.
How much you are entitled to depends on your age and circumstances.
You can use a benefits calculator to see how much you're likely to get in total.
You are assessed every month, and if things change, it might affect your pay for the whole assessment period.
If you start earning more from work, your payments will be reduced due to the taper rate.
As your income increases, your payment will reduce until you’re earning enough to no longer claim Universal Credit - at which point your payments will be stopped.
If your earnings change from month to month, you may find you need to keep reapplying for Universal Credit.
You can find out exactly how much you can earn without reducing your payments or losing them altogether with our step-by-step guide.
Will Universal Credit payments rise in 2025?
Most likely, yes, but how they will increase has not yet been decided.
The government will probably use inflation to determine how much benefits will increase next year.
There are some confirmed planned changes coming to benefits in 2025, such as:
- People on tax credits will be moved to Universal Credit
- Working parents of children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week from September next year.
How do I claim Universal Credit?
If you're not receiving Universal Credit, you should check if you qualify.
You'll have to be on a low income or need help with living costs. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to be out of work though.
For example, you could be:
- Out of work
- Working (including self-employed or part-time)
- Unable to work, for example, if you have a health condition
You must also meet other criteria. You must:
- Live in the UK
- Be aged 18 or over
- Be under State Pension age
- Have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments
You can also get Universal Credit if you're 16 or 17 if you meet certain criteria, including having a health condition or disability or if you're responsible for a child.
The full list is included on the Government's website.
If you are eligible, you have to make a claim, which can be done online or by calling the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
You'll need a number of documents to hand too - for the full list, you can read our explainer.
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Universal Credit
Here's everything to know about Universal Credit:
- What is Universal Credit? Everything you need to know including how to apply
- Universal Credit calculator: How much can I claim and how do I apply?
- Universal Credit login: How do I sign in to my online account?
- How much can I earn before Universal Credit is reduced and do I get a work allowance?
- What is a Universal Credit advance payment? How to apply and pay it back
- Are Universal Credit payments going up and how much more will I get?
- How to claim Universal Credit if you’re self-employed
- How many hours can I work on Universal Credit and will my payment be reduced?
- What is a Universal Credit budgeting advance and how much could I get?
- What is the Universal Credit housing element and how much of your rent does it pay?
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