The Department for Work and Pension (DWP) has confirmed that people claiming Universal Credit will receive the 10.1 per cent uprating in benefit payments due from Tuesday, May 16. State Pension and most benefits increased on April 10 as part of the annual uprating exercise, but due to payments made in arrears, the new rates will not land in accounts until this month.
Minister for Employment Guy Opperman MP, was asked by Labour MP Dame Nia Griffith whether the uprating “was paid to claimants in their April benefit payment”. In a written response earlier this week, he explained: “Increases in Universal Credit come into force from the start of the first assessment period beginning on or after the first Monday of the tax year.
“As Universal Credit is a calendar monthly assessed benefit that is paid monthly in arrears, a claimant will receive their uprated benefit award in payments due from 16 May.”
Universal Credit payment rates 2023/24
The DWP has published a full online guide to the increases for State Pensions, benefits and the increased benefit cap on the GOV.UK website here..
Below is a quick overview of the new rates for Universal Credit including additional elements.
Universal Credit (Monthly rates shown)
Standard allowance
- Single under 25: £292.11
- Single 25 or over: £368.74
Couple
- Joint claimants both under 25: £458.51
- Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £578.82
Child amounts
- First child (born prior to 6 April 2017): £315.00
- First child (born on or after 6 April 2017)/ second child and subsequent child (where an exception or transitional provision applies): £269.58
Disabled child additions
- Lower rate addition: £146.31
- Higher rate addition:£456.89
Limited Capability for Work
- Limited Capability for Work amount: £146.31
- Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity amount: £390.06
Carer amount
- Carer amount: £185.86
Childcare costs amount .
- Maximum for one child: £646.35 (no change)
- Maximum for two or more children: £1,108.04 (no change)
Non-dependants’
- Non-dependants’ housing cost contributions: £85.73
Work allowances
- Higher work allowance (no housing amount) one or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £631.00
- Lower work allowance one or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £379.00
You can find out about the new deduction rates for Universal Credit on the GOV.UK website here.
All Universal Credit claimants who meet the qualifying criteria for the £900 means-tested cost of living payment will receive three lump sums over the 2023/24 financial year. The first of these for £301 is currently being paid to more than 8 million claimants and will continue until Wednesday May 17, 2023.
Further payments of £300 and £299 are due in the autumn and spring 2024.
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