April 2023 will see millions of people who are some of the poorest in the country get a rise in their benefits. Due to the government taking the decision to raise rates by Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate of 10.1 per cent, a wide range of support will see a rise.
It will cost the country in the region of £11 billion and will kick in for people from April 10. Anyone receiving welfare benefits such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, will see payments will rise in line with the 10.1% inflation rate.
When Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the change in the Commons in November he said: “There have also been some representations to keep the uplift to working age and disability benefits below the level of inflation given the financial constraints we face.
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“But that would not be consistent with our commitment to protect the most vulnerable so today I also commit to uprate such benefits by inflation with an increase of 10.1 per cent. That is an expensive commitment costing £11billion.”
Here’s a full list of benefits that will increase from April, with figures taken from the official Government website.
Universal Credit
If you’re on Universal Credit, the monthly standard allowance will be increasing as follows:
If you’re single and under 25, the standard allowance will go up from £265.31 to £292.11
If you’re single and aged 25 or over, the standard allowance will increase from £334.91 to £368.74
Joint claimants’ who are both under 25 will see their standard allowance will go up from £416.45 to £458.51
While joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over, will see their standard allowance go up from £525.72 to £578.77
Universal Credit for those with Children
Any extra payments you receive for children will also be going up next year.
If your first child was born prior to April 6, 2017, you’ll receive £319.29 (as compared with the current rate of £290)
If your child was born on or after April 6, 2017, or you have a second child and subsequent child, you’ll receive £269.28 (as compared with the current rate of £244.58)
If you have a disabled child and receive a lower rate addition, your payment will increase from £132.89 to £146.31
If you have a disabled child and receive a higher rate addition, your payment will increase from £414.88 to £456.78
Universal Credit for a limited capability for work
If you have limited capability for work, the extra support you’ll receive will go up from £132.89 to £146.31
If you have limited capability for work and work-related activity, the amount will go up from £354.28 to £390.06
Universal Credit for carers
Those caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week are entitled to support. In the year 2023/2024, this amount will rise from £168.81 to £185.86.
Universal Credit for increased work allowance
The higher work allowance for those with one or more dependent children, or limited capability for work, will increase from £573 to £630.87, while the lower work allowance is going up from £344 to £378.74.
Housing benefits
If you’re single, housing benefits will increase as follows:
For under 25s, it’ll rise from £61.05 to £67.22
If you’re on main phase ESA, from £77 to £84.78
For those aged between 25 and state pension credit age, from £77 to £84.78
For anyone who has reached pension age, £197.10 to £217
For lone parents:
If you’re under 18, payments will increase from £61.05 to £67.22
If you’re on main phase ESA, from £77 to £84.78
If you’re aged between 18 and state pension credit age, from £77 to £84.78
If you’ve reached state pension age, from £197.10 to £217
For couples:
If both are aged under 18, payments will go up from £92.20 to £101.51
If one or both are aged between 18 and state pension credit age, from £121.05 to £133.27
If you’re on main phase ESA, from £121.05 to £133.27
If one or both have reached pension age, from £294.90 to £324.68
State pension
The new state pension rate will increase from £185.15 a week to £203.85.
For the old state pension, the basic rate will rise from £141.85 to £156.18.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit exists to support retirees on a low income.
From April next year, the rates will rise as follows:
For those who are single, your income will be topped up to £201.04 instead of the current rate of £182.60
For couples, it’ll be topped up to £306.85 as compared with the current rate of £278.70
If your income is lower than this, you should be eligible for the benefit. Other top-up amounts for carers can be found here.
Attendance Allowance
If you have a disability severe enough that you require somebody else to look after you, you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance.
It’s paid at two rates depending on how much the level of care that you need.
The lower rate will go up from £61.85 to £68.10
The higher rate will go up from £92.40 to £101.73
Carers Allowance
If you care for someone at least 35 hours a week (and they get certain benefits), you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
From April next year, the rate will increase from £69.70 to £76.74 a week.
Disability Living Allowance
The Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people.
You can only apply for DLA if you’re under 16 and you live in England or Wales. Those who live in Scotland can apply for Child Disability Payment.
For adults, further details on the eligibility criteria can be found here.
Next year, DLA care component rates will increase as follows:
The highest rate will go up from £92.40 to £101.73
The middle rate from £61.85 to £68.09
The lowest rate from £24.45 to £26.92
DLA mobility component rates will increase as follows:
The higher rate will go up from £64.50 to £71.01
The lower rate from £24.45 to £26.92
Employment Support Allowance
This benefit provides support to those on a low income by topping up their pay where needed.
Here’s how it’s changing from April next year:
If you’re under 25 years old, support will increase from £61.05 to £67.22
If you’re 25 and older, from £77 to £84.78
Lone parents under 18 will see the rate go up from £61.05 to £67.22
Lone parents who are 18 or over, from £77 to £84.78
There are also further rates for couples, those with disabilities or caring responsibilities, which can be found here.
Jobseekers Allowance
Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) exists to support unemployed people while they look for a job. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit, but those still claiming JSA will see their payments increase in the new year.
If you’re under 25, contribution-based and income-based payments will increase from £61.05 a week to £67.22
If you’re 25 or over, these rates will go up from £77 to £84.78 a week
Rates for couples, those with children, disabilities or caring responsibilities can be found here.
Maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay
The statutory rates for maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay will all increase from £156.66 to £172.48.
Payments for parental bereavement will also go up by the same amounts.
Maternity allowance
This will benefit new mums who don’t qualify for standard maternity pay.
If you qualify, payments will rise from £156.66 a week to £172.48 from April 2023.
Income support
The amount of Income Support you receive will depend on your circumstances.
But if you’re single and aged between 16 and 24, your weekly payments start from £61.05.
This amount will now increase to £67.22 a week from April, 2023.
Personal Independence Payment
This payment, known as PIP, helps with extra living costs for those with illnesses or disabilities.
From April next year, the rates will change as follows:
The enhanced daily living component will go up from £92.40 to £101.73
The standard daily living component will increase from £61.85 to £68.10
The enhanced mobility component will rise from £64.50 to £71.01
The standard mobility component will rise from £24.45 to £26.92 for standard
Read next:
- Full list of benefits going up from April 2023 – from Universal Credit to state pension
- Ministers 'delay' state pension age rise to 68 – but over 50s must still wait longer for payments
- Single mums need to work until 93 to have as much pension as a man
- DWP State Pension and PIP claimants to receive up to £1,506 a month from April
- DWP State Pension error means thousands could be owed £6,900
