What benefits changes are happening in April?

The state pension, universal credit and other benefits are set to increase next month.

Let’s take a look at the details.

State pension to go up on 6 April

Pensioners will see a 4.1% increase in the state pension next month.

The full new state pension will go up from £221.20 to £230.25 per week.

Meanwhile, the full basic state pension will go up from £169.50 to £176.45 per week.

Universal credit to increase by 1.7% 

Universal credit will go up by 1.7% on 7 April.

Standard allowance

The standard allowance changes will be as follows:

• single under 25: £311.68 to £316.98 per month
• single 25 or over: £393.45 to £400.14 per month
• couples under 25: £489.23 to £497.55 per month
• couples 25 or over: £617.60 to £628.10 per month

Child element

Parents will benefit from the following increases:

• first child (born before April 6, 2017): £333.33 to £339 per month
• first child (born after April 6, 2017) or additional children: £287.92 to £292.81 per month
• disabled child (lower rate): £156.11 to £158.76 per month
• disabled child (higher rate): £487.58 to £495.87 per month

Limited capability for work

People claiming because they have health conditions or disabilities will also see their benefits go up.

• limited capability for work: £156.11 to £158.76 per month
• limited capability for work and work-related activity: £416.19 to £423.27 per month

Extra money for carers

Carers providing care for 35 hours a week or more will see the carer element of universal credit go up from £198.31 to £201.68 per month

Work allowance 

People with children or a disability will see the following changes:

• higher work allowance (no housing element): £673 to £684 per month
• lower work allowance (with housing element): £404 to £411 per month

Childcare cost element 

Working parents seeking help with childcare costs will see benefits go up from:

• maximum for one child: £1,014.63 to £1,031.88 per month
• maximum for two or more children: £1,739.37 to £1,768.94 per month

Other key benefit increases

Attendance allowance

Those who get the state pension and have a disability can apply for help with care costs. 

• lower rate: £72.65 to £73.90 per week
• higher rate: £108.55 to £110.40 per week

Carer’s allowance 

If you spend at least 35 hours a week looking after someone with a disability or an illness, you’ll may be eligible for carer’s allowance.

This benefit is increasing from £81.90 to £83.30 per week

People claiming carer’s allowance will also be able to earn up to £10,000 per year without losing their benefit. 

Child benefit

Child benefit is available to parents or anyone looking after a child.

• first child: £25.60 to £26.05 per week
• additional children: £16.95 to £17.25 per week

Personal independence payment (PIP)

Working age adults with an illness, disability or mental health condition will see the following changes to PIP:

• daily living (standard): £72.65 to £73.90 per week
• daily living (enhanced): £108.55 to £110.40 per week
• mobility (standard): £28.70 to £29.20 per week
• mobility (enhanced): £75.75 to £77.05 per week

Pension credit

This can be a valuable top-up for low-income pensioners. The rates will change from:

• single: £218.15 to £227.10 per week
• couple: £332.95 to £346.60 per week

National minimum wage and living wage to go up 

The national living wage will go up by 6.7% to £12.21 an hour.

This will be worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker.

Meanwhile, the national minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds is set to go up by £1.40 to £10 an hour. 

This record increase will boost the pay of full-time younger workers eligible for the rate by £2,500 a year.

We’re here for you

If you’re finding it hard to keep up with your daily living costs with saving for later life, then make sure you’re getting all the support you’re eligible for.

We can help you check you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to so you don’t miss out.