About 24 million people in the UK receive some form of DWP benefit including pensions, disability allowances and parenting payments
The proposed payment rates have been published(Image: SEAN GLADWELL via Getty Images)
State benefits are paid to millions of people across the UK. This is for a range of reasons such as to help while someone looks for a new job or because they are unable to work through ill health.
The Department of Works and Pensions figures show that in February 2025 there were about 24 million people claiming some form of benefit through its payments. This includes 13.2 million people who are of State Pension age along with 10 million who are of working age.
There are many different benefits, each paying a set amount to those entitled to them. These include the State Pension, Attendance Allowance, Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment.
However there are a number of other benefits claimed under different circumstances such as Carer’s Allowance, Widows Pension and allowances for those with children.
Every April these amounts can change in line with proposals announced in the annual Budget set by the government. The DWP has now published its proposed benefit rates for 2026-2027.
Most will increase however some allowances others have remained static, making them less in real terms as the cost of living continues to rise. Here is a complete list so you can see what you will get.
Attendance AllowanceHigher rate: £114.60Lower rate: £76.70Bereavement
Bereavement Benefit – for deaths between 9 April 2001 & 5 April 2017
Widowed Parent’s Allowance: £156.65
Bereavement Support Payment
Standard rate (lump sum): £2,500Standard rate monthly payments: £100Higher rate (lump sum): £3,500Higher rate monthly payments: £350Carer’s AllowanceDisability Living Allowance
Care component
Highest: £114.60Middle: £76.70Lowest: £30.30
Mobility component
Higher: £80Lower: £30.30Employment and Support AllowanceContributory and New Style ESA – Personal Allowances
Single
Under 25: £75.6525 or over: £95.55
Lone parent
Under 18: £75.6518 or over: £95.55
Couple
Both under 18: £75.65Both under 18 with child: £114.35Both under 18 (main phase): £95.55Both under 18 with child (main phase): £150.15One 18 or over, one under 18 (certain conditions apply): £150.15Both over 18: £150.15Claimant under 25, partner under 18: £75.65Claimant 25 or over, partner under 18: £95.55Claimant (main phase), partner under 18: £95.55
Components
Work related activity: £37.95Support: £50.35Income Related ESA – Personal Allowances
Single
Under 25: £77.5225 or over: £97.75
Lone parent
Under 18: £77.5218 or over: £97.75
Couple
Both under 18: £77.52Both under 18 with child: £117.Both under 18 (main phase): £97.75Both under 18 with child (main phase): £153.61One 18 or over, one under 18 (certain conditions apply): £153.61Both over 18: £153.61Claimant under 25, partner under 18: £77.52Claimant 25 or over, partner under 18: £97.75Claimant (main phase), partner under 18: £97.75Income Related ESA – Premiums
Enhanced disability
Single: £22Couple: £31.40
Severe disability
Single: £86.05Couple (lower rate): £86.05Couple (higher rate): £172.10Carer: £48.15
Pensioner
Single with work-related activity component: £105.90Single with support component £93.95Single with no component: £142.45Couple with work-related activity component: £176.55Couple with support component: £164.60Couple with no component: £213.10
Components
Work related activity: £36.55Support: £48.50Housing BenefitPersonal Allowances
Single
Under 25: £75.6525 or over: £95.55Entitled to main phase ESA: £95.55
Lone parent
Under 18: £75.6518 or over: £95.55Entitled to main phase ESA: £95.55
Couple
Both under 18: £114.35One or both 18 or over: £150.15Claimant entitled to main phase ESA: £150.15
Dependent children
State Pension Age
Single or lone parent (State Pension age or over): £256.00Couple (State Pension age or over): £383.35Single or lone parent (reached state pension age on or after 1 April 2021): £238.00Couple (both reached state pension age on or after 1 April 2021): £363.25For the claimant and the other party to the marriage where one or more members of the marriage are State Pension age or over: £383.35For each additional spouse who is a member of the same household as the claimant and one or more of the members are State Pension age or over: £127.35Incapacity BenefitLong-term Incapacity Benefit: £146.60Short-term Incapacity Benefit (under state pension age) – Lower rate: £110.70, Higher rate: £130.90Short-term Incapacity Benefit (over state pension age) – Lower rate: £140.65, Higher rate: £146.60Income SupportPersonal Allowances
Single
Under 25: £75.6525 or over: £95.55
Lone parent
Under 18: £75.6518 or over: £95.55
Couple
Both under 18: £75.65Both under 18 – higher rate: £114.35One under 18, one under 25: £75.65One under 18, one 25 and over: £95.55Both 18 or over: £150.15
Dependent children
Industrial Death Benefit
Widow’s pension
Higher rate: £184.90Lower rate: £55.47Widower’s pension: £184.90
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Standard rate: This is between £46.78 and £233.90 depending on your award level. There are other premiums available depending on your circumstances.Jobseeker’s AllowanceContribution based JSA – Personal Rates
Single
Under 25: £75.6525 or over: £95.55Income-based JSA – Personal Allowances
Single
Under 25: £75.6525 or over: £95.55
Lone parent
Under 18: £75.6518 or over: £95.55
Couple
Both under 18: £75.65Both under 18 – higher rate: £114.35One under 18, one under 25: £75.65One under 18, one 25 and over: £95.55Both 18 or over: £150.15
Dependent children:
Maternity AllowanceStandard rate: £194.32Maternity Allowance threshold: £30.00Pension Credit
Standard minimum guarantee
Single: £238.00Couple: £363.25
Additional amount for severe disability
Single: £86.05Couple (one qualifies): £86.05Couple (both qualify): £172.10
Additional amount for carers
Personal Independence Payment
Daily living component
Enhanced: £114.60Standard: £76.70
Mobility component
Enhanced: £80.00Standard: £30.30Severe Disablement AllowanceState Pension
New State Pension
Old State Pension
Category A or B basic pension: £184.90Category B (lower) basic pension – spouse or civil partner’s insurance: £110.75Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75Statutory Adoption PayEarnings threshold £129.00Standard Rate: £194.32Statutory Maternity PayEarnings threshold: £129.00Standard rate: £194.32Statutory Neonatal PayEarnings threshold: £129.00Standard rate: £194.32Statutory Paternity PayEarnings threshold: £129.00Standard rate: £194.32Statutory Shared Parental PayEarnings threshold: £129.00Standard rate: £194.32Statutory Parental Bereavement PayEarnings threshold: £129.00Standard rate: £194.32Statutory Sick PayUniversal Credit (UC) (monthly rates)UC Amounts – Standard allowance
Single
Single under 25: £338.58Single 25 or over: £424.90
Couple
Joint claimants both under 25: £528.34Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over £666.97
Child amounts
First child (born prior to 6 April 2017): £351.88First child (born on or after 6 April 2017 / second child and subsequent child (where an exception or transitional provision applies): £303.94
Disabled child additions
Lower rate addition: £164.79Higher rate addition: £514.71Widow’s BenefitWidowed mother’s allowance: £156.65Widow’s pension