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Major change to Universal Credit payments coming in days – will you benefit?
Make a note of this key date and check if you will get a cash boost
A MAJOR change to Universal Credit payments is coming in days - and many households are set to benefit.
Millions of claimants have already received their uprated payments after benefit rates increased in April.
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Universal Credit payment rates grew by 6.7% on April 8, in line with the consumer price index (CPI) level of inflation for September 2023.
While the new rates become immediately effective, some claimants are yet to see their payments rise. This is because of how the benefit is assessed.
The date you receive the pay boost depends on when your last assessment period was.
Universal Credit is paid monthly based on your circumstances.
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This is called your "assessment period" and it starts the day you make your claim.
The new Universal Credit came into effect after the first full one-month assessment period, which started on or after April 8.
It meant that those whose assessment periods started before April saw their benefits rise from Tuesday, May 14.
But claimants whose assessment period started after this date have had to wait a bit longer.
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These households will finally see their cash boost filter through from Thursday (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 payments rise for millions
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
Everything you need 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?
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
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.
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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
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity works out what you could get.
Entitledto's determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
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