People on State Pension or DWP benefits may see delay to new payment rates due next April

Millions of older people on the State Pension will see payments rise by 4.1 per cent next year while those on working age or disability benefits can expect an uplift of 1.7 per cent. However, many people may not be aware that while the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will apply the new rates on April 7, most claimants will not see the higher payments until the following month.

This is because most payments are made four-weeks in arrears, however, some people on the State Pension who receive payments weekly or fortnightly will see the uplift sooner. Universal Credit is slightly different as assessment periods run from month-to-month on a specific date which means the uprated amount may not arrive until the next payment cycle in May.

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Claimants on devolved benefits in Scotland, such as Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment will also see payments rise by 1.7 per cent from April. Similar to DWP, most payments are made in arrears which means the uprating may not be seen until the next scheduled pay period.

The DWP has confirmed the proposed weekly or monthly rates for the new financial year, a full breakdown of all benefits, including additional payments, the benefit cap and new deduction rates can be found on GOV.UK here.

New DWP payment rates 2025/26

Weekly rates are shown, unless otherwise stated and have been listed in alphabetical order to make it easier to find the payment relevant to your own situation.

Attendance Allowance

• Higher rate: £110.40 (from £108.55)
• Lower rate: £73.90 (from £72.65)

Carer’s Allowance

• April 2025 rate: £83.30 (from £81.90)
• Weekly earnings threshold: £196.00 (from £151)

Disability Living Allowance / Child Disability Payment

Care Component

• Highest: £110.40 (from £108.55)
• Middle: £73.90 (from £72.65)
• Lowest: £29.20 (from £28.70)

Mobility component

• Higher: £77.05 (from £75.75)
• Lower: £29.20 (from £28.70)

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Single, under 25: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• Single, 25 or over: £92.05 (from £90.50)
• Lone parent, under 18: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• Lone parent, over 18: £92.05 (from £90.50)
• Couple, both under 18: £72.90 from (71.70)
• Couple, both under 18 with child: £110.15 (from £108.30)
• Couple, both under 18 (main phase): £92.05 (from £90.50)
• Couple, both under 18 with child (main phase): £144.65 (from £142.25)
• Couple, both over 18: £144.65 (from £142.25)

Full details on amounts for mixed age households and premiums can be found on GOV.UK here.

Incapacity Benefit

• Long-term Incapacity Benefit: £141.25 (from £138.90)

Short-term Incapacity Benefit (under State Pension age)

• Lower rate: £106.65 (from £104.85)
• Higher rate: £126.10 (from £124.00)

Short-term Incapacity Benefit (over State Pension age)

• Lower rate: £135.50 (from £133.25)
• Higher rate: £141.25 (from £138.90)

Increase of Long-term Incapacity Benefit for age

• Lower rate: £8.30 (from £8.15)
• Higher rate £14.95 (from £14.70)

Invalidity Allowance (Transitional)

• Higher rate: £14.95 (from £14.70)
• Middle rate: £8.30 (from £8.15
• Lower rate: £8.30 (from £8.15)

Income Support

• Single, under 25: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• Single, 25 or over: £92.05 (from £90.50)
• Lone parent, under 18: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• Lone parent, 18 or over: £92.05 (from £90.50)
• Couple, both under 18: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• Couple, both under 18 - higher rate: £110.15 (from £108.30)
• Couple, one under 18, one under 25: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• Couple, one under 18, one 25 and over: £92.05 (from £90.50)
• Couple, both 18 or over: £144.65 (from £142.25)

Full details on additional premiums by age and household circumstances can be found on GOV.UK here.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Contribution based JSA

• Under 25: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• 25 or over: £92.05 (from £90.50)

Income-based JSA

• Under 25: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• 25 or over: £92.05 (from £90.50)

Lone parent

• Under 18: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• 18 or over: £92.05 (from £90.50)
• Couple, both under 18: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• Couple, both under 18 - higher rate: £110.15 (from £108.30)
• Couple, one under 18, one under 25: £72.90 (from £71.70)
• Couple, one under 18, one 25 and over: £92.05 (from £90.50)
• Couple, both 18 or over: £144.65 (from £142.25)

Full details on amounts for mixed age households and premiums can be found on GOV.UK here.

Maternity Allowance

• Standard rate: £187.18 (from £184.03)

Pension Credit

Standard minimum guarantee

• Single: £227.10 (from £218.15)
• Couple: £346.60 (from £332.95)

Additional amount for severe disability

• Single: £82.90 (from £81.50)
• Couple (one qualifies): £82.90 (from £81.50)
• Couple (both qualify): £165.75 (from £163.00)
• Additional amount for carers: £46.40 (from £45.60)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment

Daily Living Component

• Enhanced: £110.40 (from £108.55)
• Standard: £73.90 (from £72.65)

Mobility Component

• Enhanced: £77.05 (from £75.75)
• Standard: £29.20 (from £28.70)

State Pension

New State Pension

• Full rate: £230.25 (from £221.20)

Old/Basic State Pension

• Category A or B Basic State Pension: £176.45 (from £169.50)
• Category B (lower) Basic State Pension - spouse or civil Partner's insurance: £105.70 (from £101.55)
• Category C or D - non-contributory: £105.70 (from £101.55)

Full details on Additional State Pension, Widows Pension, increments and Invalidity Allowance can be found on GOV.UK here.

Universal Credit (monthly rates)

Single

• Under 25: £316.98 (from £311.63)
• 25 or over: £400.14 (from £393.45)

Couples

• Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 (from £489.23)
• Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £628.10 (from £617.60)

A full list of additional elements related to Universal Credit, including the Work Capability Allowance, can be found on GOV.UK here.

HMRC payment rates 2025/26

HMRC has also confirmed the new payment rates for Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance. Tax Credits are ending on April 5, 2025 so there are no payment changes.

Child Benefit

• Eldest or only child: £26.05 (from £25.60)
• Additional children: £17.25 (from £16.95)

Guardian's Allowance

• From April 2025: £22.10 (from £21.75)