Millions on Universal Credit and benefits to see payments rise from this week – what you need to know
MILLIONS on Universal Credit and benefits will see their payments rise from this week – here’s what you need to know.
The Government increased the rate of a number of benefits by 10.1% from April.
But despite the rise coming from last month, households will only just start receiving the boost this week and possibly into June.
This is because Universal Credit is paid monthly and based on your circumstances each month, known as your “assessment period”.
But it starts the day you make your claim.
Anna Stevenson, benefits expert at Turn2Us, previously explained to The Sun: “For Universal Credit, the new rates don’t come into effect until the first assessment period which starts on or after April 10.
“That means the earliest people will see the new rates is in payments from May 17.
“But for some people, it could take until June 16 to get their first payment on the new amounts.”
As an example, if someone on Universal Credit started a claim on March 15, it would run until April 14, with a new assessment period beginning on April 15.
Universal Credit is paid a week after the date of each assessment period meaning the claimant would receive the payment on April 21.
But because the claimant’s March to April assessment period started before April 10, the new rates will not take effect until the next assessment period between April 15 and May 14 for payment on May 21.
If a claimant’s assessment period started after the new Universal Credit rates came into force on April 10 they would expect to receive the new rates in May.
For example, if a claimant’s assessment period ran between April 14 and May 14, they would receive the new payment rates from May 20.
Any increase in payments is made automatically by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) so you just have to sit tight and wait for the boost.
What are the new Universal Credit rates?
Universal Credit was introduced in 2013 with the aim of combining a number of other benefits into one.
It is paid monthly, or twice monthly for some people in Scotland.
The system is designed so that you receive different amounts depending on your circumstances.
Below is what the previous rates were in 2022/23 and what they went up to from April 10, depending on your circumstances.
Standard allowance (per month)
- For those single and aged under 25, the standard allowance will rise from £265.31 to £292.11
- For those single and aged 25 or over, the standard allowance will rise from £334.91 to £368.74
- For joint claimants both under 25, the standard allowance will rise from £416.45 to £458.51
- For joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over, the standard allowance will rise from £525.72 to £578.82
Extra amounts for children
- For those with a first child born before April 6, 2017, the extra amount is going up from £290 to £315
- For those with a child born on or after April 6, 2017 or second child and subsequent child, the extra amount is going up from £244.58 to £269.58
- For those with a disabled child, the lower rate addition payment is going up from £132.89 to £146.31 and the higher rate from £414.88 to £456.89
Extra amounts for limited capability for work
- For those deemed to have limited capability for work, the extra amount is going up from £132.89 to £146.31
- For those deemed to have limited capability for work or work-related activity, the extra amount is going up from £354.28 to £390.06
Extra amounts for being a carer
Universal Credit claimants can get an additional amount if they’re caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week.
The amount you get a month will rise from £168.81 to £185.86.
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 is going up from £573 to £631
- The lower work allowance for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work is going up from £344 to £379
Check your eligibility for benefits
Benefits can help top up your income if you are struggling financially, but millions of pounds worth go unclaimed every year.
If you are on a low income it’s definitely worth checking if you are entitled to any.
A number of charities and organisations have calculators which you can use to estimate your benefit entitlement.
But bear in mind they will just give you estimations and not exactly what you will get.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk