The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will implement a series of changes that will affect anyone receiving Universal Credit and other benefit payments.
This includes around 5.8 million working-age people receiving Universal Credit and 12.5 million claiming State Pensions. Among those affected will also include around 3 million on Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and 2.6 million receiving Housing Benefits.
The upcoming changes in the coming weeks may have a direct effect on your personal finances so it's important to be made aware of them to avoid being caught out. Fortunately for you, we've compiled a list of the upcoming DWP benefit changes coming soon.
Read more: Martin Lewis explains why millions of households are set to pay more in energy bills from April
DWP and HMRC benefit rises
In April, all DWP benefits including Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will receive an increased rate of 10.1 per cent. This goes in line with the rate of inflation recorded in September 2022 - when the decision to increase it was made.
Similarly, HMRC will apply an uprate of the same amount to Child Benefits and Tax Credits. From April 10, the benefits and payments which will receive an increase include the following:
- Universal Credit
- Housing benefit
- Pension Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance
- Jobseekers Allowance
- Maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay
- Maternity Allowance
- Income Support
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Widows Benefit
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
- Incapacity benefits
- Bereavement Benefit
State Pension triple lock
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed the government will reinstate the State Pension triple lock, meaning it will also increase by 10.1 per cent alongside other benefit payments. The triple lock ensures that State Pension payments rise by the highest out of three factors:
- Average earnings;
- CPI inflation; or
- 2.5 per cent
The full amount of the new State Pension will rise from £185.17 to £203.85 a week. Meanwhile, the old basic State Pension which is paid to those who retired before April 2016 will increase from £141.85 a week to £156.20 a week.
Read next:
