NEXT month, payments such as Universal Credit, child benefit and the state pension are set to rise by 3.1%.
This increase will help millions of struggling Brits in April just as energy prices and other bills are set to rise.
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The UK is almost at the new tax year, which is set to start April 6 2022 – just a few weeks away.
It’s not uncommon for benefits to rise each year to keep up with the climbing prices of everyday goods, like gas and food.
And with the current energy and cost of living crisis, the upcoming increases will be welcome relief to many.
Though inflation is still rising faster than benefit increases – and some experts predict that inflation rates could soar to a whopping 7% next month.
Despite this, the 3.1% rise will see couples on the basic amount of Universal Credit gain nearly £16 extra a month, retired Brits can pocket an extra £5.55 a week (or £300 a year), and families on child benefit with two kids will be awarded almost £60 extra a year more.
If you’re not sure which benefits you can claim, you can use a free benefits checker to ensure you’re receiving all the help that you’re entitled too.
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It’s also a good idea to speak to a benefits adviser, as calculators are there to provide rough estimations only.
Here’s how much benefits are rising next month.
Universal Credit
Standard allowance (per month)
- For those single and aged under 25, the standard allowance will rise from £257.33 to £265.31
- For those single and aged 25 or over, the standard allowance will rise from £324.84 to £334.91
- For joint claimants both under 25, the standard allowance will rise from £403.93 to £416.45
- For joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over, the standard allowance will rise from £509.91 to £525.72
Extra amounts for children
- For those with a first child born before April 6, 2017, the extra amount is going up from £282.50 to £290
- For those with a child born on or after April 6, 2017 or second child and subsequent child, the extra amount is going up from £237.08 to £244.58
- For those with a disabled child, the lower rate addition payment is going up from £128.89 to £132.89 and the higher rate from £402.41 to £414.88
Extra amounts for limited capability for work
- For those deemed to have limited capability for work, the extra amount is going up from £128.89 to £132.89
- For those deemed to have limited capability for work or work-related activity, the extra amount is going up from £343.63to £354.28
Extra amounts for being a carer
If you’re caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week, you can expect a rise of £163.73 to £168.81.
From December last year, thousands of working Brits claiming Universal Credit were able to keep more of what they earned, and the work allowance rates will rise again from next month.
Increased work allowance
- The higher work allowance (no housing amount) for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work is going up from £557 to £573
- The lower work allowance for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work is going up from £335 to £344
Housing benefit
Single person
- Aged under 25: Increasing from £59.20 to £61.05
- Any age and on main phase ESA: Increasing from £74.70 to £77.00
- Aged between 25 and state pension credit age: Increasing from £74.70 to £77.00
- Has reached pension age: Increasing from £191.15 to £197.10
Lone parent
- Aged under 18: Increasing from £59.20 to £61.05
- Any age and on main phase ESA: Increasing from £74.70 to £77.00
- Aged between 18 and state pension credit age: Increasing from £74.70 to £77.00
- Has reached state pension age: Increasing from £191.15 to £197.10
Couple
- Both aged under 18: Increasing from £89.45 to £92.20
- One or both aged between 18 and state pension credit age: Increasing from £117.40 to £121.05
- Any age and on main phase ESA: Increasing from £117.40 to £121.05
- One or both have reached pension age: Increasing from £286.05 to £294.90
Other
- Dependent child/young person aged under 20: Increasing from £68.60 to £70.80
Pension Credit
Retired Brits can get their low income topped up via Pension credit, which is set to rise from £177.10 a week to £182.60.
For couples, it will rise from £270.30 to £278.70
You could get the ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit if both of the following apply:
- you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016
- you saved some money for retirement, for example a personal or workplace pension
This part of Pension Credit will rise from £14.04 a week to £14.48 or for couples, from £15.71 to £16.20.
Note that if you’re caring for someone else or are disabled you can apply for a top up amount.
If you’re note sure how to apply for Pension Credit, we break it down for you in our guide.
State Pension
The State Pension is a regular payment from the government for those who have reached the State Pension age (which is currently 66 years old).
The full rate of the new State Pension will rise from £179.60 a week to £185.15.
For the basic part of the old state pension the rate will rise from £137.60 to £141.85.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for those who who are over state pension age and require help or care because of a severe disability or illness.
The amount you get depends on the level of care that you need – and it’s paid at two different rates.
The higher rate will rise from £89.60 to £92.40, while the lower rate will also go up from £60 to £61.85.
Carer’s Allowance
If you care for a disabled person at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits, you can claim for a Carer’s Allowance.
The rate is increasing from £67.60 to £69.70 a week.
Disability Living Allowance
The Disability Living Allowance is being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people.
You can only apply for DLA if you’re under 16. Older people whose DLA claim hasn’t come to an end may see payments go up.
- Highest amount will rise from £89.60 to £92.40
- Middle amount from £60.00 to £61.85
- Lowest amount from £23.70 to £24.45
And for the mobility component:
- Higher amount from £62.55 to £64.50
- Lower amount from £23.70 to £24.45
Employment Support Allowance
Employment Support Allowance (ESA) is for those having difficulty finding work due to a disability or long-term medical condition.
It intends to support those able enough to get back into work, or those who are unable to work with living costs, and it applies to the following criteria:
- Under 25-year-old, from £59.20 to £61.05
- Age 25 and older, from £74.70 £77.00
- Lone parent under 18, from £59.20 to £61.05
- Lone parent 18 or over, from £74.70 £77.00
You may also get further rates if you’re a couple, have a disability, or have caring responsibilities.
Jobseekers Allowance
Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is set up to support unemployed Brits while they look for work.
But JJSA has since been replaced by either the “new style” JSA or Universal Credit, and what you can claim for depends on your circumstances.
Though those who are still claiming the “old style” JSA can expect payments go to up next year.
For under 25-year-olds, contribution-based and income-based payments will go up from £59.20 a week to £61.05, and from £74.70 to £77.00 week for those who are older.
There are also further rates for couples, those with children, disabilities or caring responsibilities.
Shared Parental Leave, maternity, paternity and adoption
Pay for mums and dads taking time away for kids is classed as Shared Parental leave (SPL) and it includes those adopting.
SPL allows parents to take a more flexible approach to annual leave between them.
The statutory rates will rise from £151.97 to £156.66, for maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay next month.
Parental bereavement pay will also rise by the same amounts.
Maternity allowance
Maternity Allowance is a benefit for women who aren’t entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay but are working.
It will rise from £151.97 a week currently, to £156.66 next month.
Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) is set up to help Brits living with long-term mental health issues, disabilities, or health conditions.
You can apply for PIP even if you have savings or you’re in work, as it intends to help with extra living costs.
Payments for the daily living component will rise from £89.60 to £92.40 for enhanced and from £60 from £61.85 for standard.
For the mobility component it will rise from £62.55 to £64.50 for enhanced, and £23.70 to £24.45 for standard.
Statutory Sick Pay
Statutory sick pay (SSP) is paid by your employer if you’re too sick to work – and they can pay it for up to 28 weeks.
The current SSP rate is £96.35 a week, rising to £99.35 next month.
Child Benefit
Child benefits are for any parents or guardians responsible for a child who is usually 16, or under 20 if they remain in full time education.
Note that only one person can be paid child benefits, even if the parents are together.
There are two child benefit rates, one for the eldest child and another for each further child or children.
The current rate for your eldest or only child is £21.15 per week and that will rise to £21.80.
Then for each of your other children it’s £14 a week rising to £14.45 a week from next month.
As the UK continues to battle cold weather and rocketing costs, thousands could still apply for help from the Household Support Fund, which is due to finish this month.
The Squeeze Team, a group of experts at The Sun, are here to help you with your bill problems and money worries.
And Brits have just weeks left to claim tax back worth thousands before National Insurance is set to rise.
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