Other changes to the basic allowance for universal credit, paid to all claimants of the benefit, mean about three million families will receive an average increase of £120 this year.
However, the health element of universal credit, paid to claimants whose disability restricts their ability to work, is being halved. The 2.8 million existing claimants of the health element will be protected, with the cut only affecting new claimants.
Other benefits, including all the main disability benefits, such as personal independence payment, attendance allowance and disability living allowance, as well as carer’s allowance have now risen by 3.8%, in line with rising prices.
The state pension is also rising by 4.8% in line with average wages, owing to the triple-lock, which means:
the new flat-rate state pension – for those who reached state pension age after April 2016 – is increasing to £241.30 a week, or £12,547.60 a year, a rise of £574.60
the old basic state pension – for those who reached state pension age before April 2016 – is going up to £184.90 a week, or £9,614.80 a year, a rise of £439.40
In general, you need 35 years of qualifying contributions to get a full state pension.
However, the age at which people receive their state pension is rising gradually over the next two years, from 66 to 67.