Deadline for millions to receive £470 boost on Universal Credit this month – here’s when you’ll get the extra cash

THE deadline for millions of households on Universal Credit to get a payment boost is looming.

Benefit payment rates rose by 6.7% on April 8, 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 have become effective, most will not see their payments rise until May.

This is because those 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 after the first full one-month assessment period, which starts on or after April 8.

Those whose assessment periods started after April 8 saw their benefits rise as early as May 14.

However, those whose assessment periods started before this date could be waiting until June 13 to receive the payment boost.

Here's how your previous assessment period affects when you'll get the payment boost:

• March 28 to April 27 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 3
• March 29 to April 28 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 4
• March 30 to April 29 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 5
• March 31 to April 30 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 6
• April 1 to April 31 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 7
• April 2 to May 1 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 8
• April 3 to May 2 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 9
• April 4 to May 3 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 10
• April 5 to May 4 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 11
• April 6 to May 5 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 12
• April 7 to May 6 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 13

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