Why millions on Universal Credit and state pension WON’T get inflationary payment boost in April

MILLIONS of households on benefits face a payment boost delay due to how their welfare cash is paid next month.

Benefit payments will rise by 6.7% from April, in line with the consumer price index (CPI) level of inflation for September 2023.

However, it's important to note that while the new rates come into force on April 8, most will not see their payments rise until May.

This is because most benefits are paid monthly or twice monthly in arrears.

For example, if you usually receive your state pension payment on or before the 8th of each month, you won't receive a payment boost until your May payment is due.

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.

Here's a full list of the new benefit rates for 2024-25 so you can check how much extra you might get.

Universal Credit

Standard allowance (per month)

• For those single and aged under 25, the standard allowance will rise from £292.11 to £311.68
• For those single and aged 25 or over, the standard allowance will rise from £368.74 to £393.45
• For joint claimants both under 25, the standard allowance will rise from £458.51 to £489.23
• For joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over, the standard allowance will rise from £578.82 to £617.6

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, the extra amount will go up from £146.31 to £156.11
• 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 get an additional amount if caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week.

The amount you get a month will rise from £185.86 to £198.31

The work allowance rates will also rise in April next year.

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 rise 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 rise from £379 to £404

State pension

The full rate of the new state pension will go up from £203.85 a week to £221.20.

For the basic part of the old state pension, the rate will increase from £156.20 to £169.50.

How much pension you get will depend on your entitlement.