Universal Credit claimants will get increases to their monthly payments from April.
New benefit payment rates will kick in from the beginning of the 2023/2024 financial year. Most Universal Credit claimants will get a 10.1% increase in their payments.
People on low incomes - including the unemployed and those unable to work - can apply for Universal Credit. In England it is paid monthly.
Read more: 18 things Universal Credit claimants must report to DWP or face losing benefits
The 10.1% increase was agreed on in November 2022 based on the inflation rate for September 2022.
The new rates kick in from Saturday April 1, 2023.
How much is Universal Credit a month from April 2023
Standard allowance
The standard Universal Credit monthly payment will increase from £265.31 to £292.11 for single claimaints aged under 25. The payment for those over 25 will increase from £334.91 to £368.74
Joint claimants - couples in the same household - will get £458.51 per month if they are both under 25, up from £416.45. Joint claimants will get £578.82 if at least one of them is over 25, up from £525.72.
Children - extra amounts for first and second children
These payments are made to parents claiming Univeral Credit. Most only get extra payments for up to two children, but those whose children were born before April 6, 2017 or were claiming for three or more children before that date can get payments for additional children.
First-child payments to parents with children born before April 6, 2017 will increase to £315, up from £290. Payments for children born after April 2017 and second children/additional children will increase from £244.58 to £269.58.
Parents will disabled children can get additional payments. These rise from £132.89 to £146.31 for parents of disabled kids, and up to £456.89 from £414.88 for parents of severely disabled children.
If you have a disability or health condition
People with disabilities or health conditions that limit their ability to work can get extra on top of their standard Universal Credit payments.
Those eligible for the Limited Capability for Work amount will get their payments increased from £132.89 to £146.31. The Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity amount will rise from £354.28 to £390.06
Carers
Payments to carers who look after somebody for 35 hours a week will increase from £168.81 to £185.86.
Childcare costs
Universal Credit recipients who are working can claim back up to 85% of their childcare cost up to a maximum amount. Unlike other aspects of Universal Credit, that allowance is not being increased from April. It will remain at £646.35 for one child and £1108.04 for two or more.
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