State Pension, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Child Benefit are among the benefits set to rise this year
Benefits linked to inflation will rise by 3.8% from April 2026(Image: iStockphoto / Getty Images)
Millions of benefit and State Pension claimants will see their payments increase this year as the Government raises amounts in response to rising living costs.
Benefits linked to inflation are set to rise by 3.8% from April 2026, in line with the annual increase in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rate of inflation for September 2025. Meanwhile, Universal Credit standard allowances will receive an additional uplift of 2.3%, as specified in the Universal Credit Act 2025.
In addition, the basic and new State Pensions will be uprated by 4.8% from April 2026, in line with the annual increase in the Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) index for May–July 2025. Here’s the full list of new weekly rates coming into force this year for eight of the most-claimed benefits, as confirmed by DWP and HMRC.
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Attendance Allowance
The higher rate of Attendance Allowance will increase from from £110.40 to £114.60 per week in April 2026, and the lower rate will rise from £73.90 to £76.70. The amount you get depends on the level of help you need.
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance, the main benefit for carers, will increase from £83.80 to £86.45 per week in April 2026.
Carers receiving other benefits will also see increases. The Carer Element of Universal Credit will rise from £201.68 to £209.34 per week, and the Carer Addition for Pension Credit will increase £46.40 to £48.15.
Child Benefit
From April 6, 2026, Child Benefit for the eldest child will increase from £26.05 to £27.05 per week. Child Benefit rate for other children will rise from £17.25 to £17.90 per week.
Guardian’s Allowance will also increase from £22.10 to £22.95 per week. Parents should note that the two-child benefit cap, which limits Universal Credit and Tax Credits to two children, will also be lifted from April.
Disability Living Allowance
Care Component
Highest: from £110.40 to £114.60
Middle: from £73.90 to £76.70
Lowest: from £29.20 to £30.30
Mobility Component
Higher: From £77.05 to £80.00
Lower: From £29.20 to £30.30
Pension Credit
The standard minimum guarantee for Pension Credit will increase by 4.8% in line with earnings as follows:
Single: £227.10 to £238
Couple £346.60 to £363.25
Personal Independence Payment
Daily living component
Enhanced: From £110.40 to £114.60
Standard: From £73.90 to £76.70
Mobility component
Enhanced: From £77.05 to £80
Standard: From £29.20 to £30.30
State Pension
New State Pension: From £230.25 to £241.30
Basic State Pension: From £176.45 to £184.90
Universal Credit
The Universal Credit standard allowance will increase from:
£316.98 to £338.58 per month for single people aged under 25£400.14 to £424.90 per month for single people aged 25 and over£497.55 to £528.34 per month for joint claimants both aged under 25£628.10 to £666.97 per month for joint claimants both aged 25 and over
There are several changes to Universal Credit set to be introduced from April 2026 as a result of the Universal Credit Act 2025. Among these changes is a reduction in the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity component – new claimants will not get the full £94 per week, and instead get £50.