The DWP has confirmed that it is increasing the State Pension payments in April 2022.
They will jump up by 3.1% in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from April 11.
Those who are receiving their State Pension can choose to be paid either weekly or every four weeks - not to be confused with being paid monthly as the DWP makes 13, four-weekly payments each year over a 52-week period which can result in two payments being made in the same calendar month, the Daily Record reports.
The upcoming increase means that the basic State Pension will rise to £141.85 per week from £137.60 and the full new State Pension will go up to £185.15 from £179.60.
The decision was confirmed after The Social Security (Up-rating of Benefits) Act 2021 received Royal Assent in November. This legislation temporarily suspended the earnings element of the Triple Lock for one year only, following distortions to the earnings statistics brought about by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the temporary ‘double lock’ rule, State Pension for the 2022/23 financial year was based on the greater of either annual inflation or 2.5%.
Commenting on the 3.1% increase coming into effect next year, the DWP said : “In taking this decision, the [UK] Government carefully considered the fairest approach for both pensioners and younger taxpayers, many of whom have been hardest hit by the financial impacts of the pandemic."
The Department added: “In addition, last year, we delivered primary legislation to increase State Pensions by 2.5%, when earnings fell and price inflation increased by half a percentage point. If we hadn’t taken this action, State Pensions would have been frozen.”
The DWP also made clear that the ‘double lock’ is a one-year response to exceptional circumstances and the Uk Government will return the earnings element of the Triple Lock next year.
In addition to State Pension payments rising in April, all other DWP-delivered benefits will also be increased in line with CPI of 3.1%.
This includes:
- Working-age benefits
- Benefits to help with additional needs arising from disability
- Carers’ benefits
- Pensioner premiums in income-related benefits
- Statutory Payments
- Additional State Pension
Below is a comprehensive summary of the new payment rates for State Pension and benefits for 2022 to 2023 and the increased amount.
We have listed these in alphabetical order to make it easier to find the payment rate you're looking for.
New DWP payment rates from 2022 to 2023
Weekly rates are shown, unless otherwise stated.
Attendance Allowance
- Higher rate: £92.40 (from £89.60)
- Lower rate: £61.85 (from £60.00)
Carer’s Allowance
- April 2022 rate: £69.70 (from £67.60)
Disability Living Allowance
Care Component
- Highest: £92.40 (from £89.60)
- Middle: £61.85 (from £60.00)
- Lowest: £24.45 (from £23.70)
Mobility component
- Higher: £64.50 (from £62.55)
- Lower: £24.45 (from £23.70)
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Under 25: £61.05 (from £59.20)
- 25 or over: £77.00 (from £74.70)
Housing Benefit
- Under 25: £61.05 (from £59.20)
- 25 or over: £77.00 (from £74.70)
- Entitled to main phase ESA: £77.00 (from £74.70)
Incapacity Benefit (long-term)
- April 2022 rate: £118.25 (from £114.70)
Income Support
- Under 25: £61.05 (from £59.20)
- 25 or over: £77.00 from (£74.70)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (contributions based)
-
- Under 25: £61.05 (from £59.20)
- 25 or over: £77.00 (from £74.70)
Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
- Under 25: £61.05 (from £59.20)
- 25 or over: £77.00 (from £74.70)
Maternity/Paternity/Shared Parental Allowance
- Standard rate: £156.66 (from £151.97)
Pension Credit
- Single: £182.60 (from £177.10)
- Couple: £278.70 (from £270.30)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Daily Living Component
- Enhanced: £92.40 (from £89.60)
- Standard: £61.85 (from £60.00)
Mobility Component
- Enhanced: £64.50 (from £62.55)
- Standard: £24.45 (from £23.70)
State Pension
- Full New State Pension: £185.15 (from £179.60)
- Basic Old State Pension (Category A or B): £141.85 (from £137.60)
Widow’s Pension
- Standard rate: £126.35 (from £122.55)
Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay
- Standard rate: £156.66 (from £151.97)
Statutory Sick Pay
- Standard rate: £99.35 (from £96.35)
Universal Credit (Monthly rates shown)
Standard allowance
Single
- Single under 25: £265.31 (from £257.33)
- Single 25 or over: £334.91 (from £324.84)
Couple
- Joint claimants both under 25: £416.45 (from £403.93)
- Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £525.72 (from £509.91)
Child Elements
- First child (born prior to 6 April 2017): £290.00 (from £282.60)
- First child (born on or after 6 April 2017) or second child and subsequent child (where an exception or transitional provision applies): £244.58 (from £237.08)
For the full list of proposed DWP increases to benefits and State Pension, visit the GOV.UK website here.
