The Department for Work and Pensions is providing Universal Credit claimants with a £5,098 benefits increase from April. Single claimants aged 25 and over will now receive £424.90 per month, rising from £400.14, which amounts to approximately £5,098 per year.
Benefit rates are adjusted every April. This year, rates officially increased on April 6 (the start of the 2026/27 tax year), with the new figures taking effect for many benefits from April 7.
For some Universal Credit claimants, however, the higher rates will not kick in until around June. This is because the new rate will not be paid until the first assessment period commencing on or after April 7.
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Couples claiming Universal Credit will also see their payments increase, with those under 25 now receiving £528.34 per month, up from £497.55.
For couples where both partners are aged 25 or over, monthly payments have risen from £628.10 to £666.97, reports Birmingham Live.
Single claimants under 25 have likewise seen an improvement, with the standard allowance climbing from £316.98 to £338.58 per month.
Labour Party Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said: “The welfare system we inherited has for too long locked disabled people and people with long term conditions out of work.
“Laws coming into force will change that, reducing projected expenditure on Universal Credit by almost £1billion.”
He continued: “Simultaneously boosting the standard allowance and investing £3.5billion in employment support means we’re creating a welfare system that backs people to work and helps them build a better future.”
Those claiming benefits are not required to take any action, as the uplifts will be applied automatically. Universal Credit is set to rise by 2.3 per cent, with the full breakdown of the updated rates as follows:
- Standard allowance, single under 25 – rising from £316.98 to £338.58
- Standard allowance, single 25 or over – rising from £400.14 to £424.90
- Joint claim, both under 25 – rising from £497.55 to £528.34
- Joint claim, one or both 25 or over – rising from £628.10 to £666.97