Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance are all going up. Here are the benefit increases from April 2020.
Benefit increases have been capped since 2016.
Over the last four years, people have seen no increase in line with inflation.
But, things are now changing, and the government is spending an extra £5 billion on benefits.
Benefit increases in April 2020
Benefits and tax credits are being linked to inflation, which means a rise by 1.7% in April 2020.
There are also more increases to Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit and Local Housing Allowance.
Here’s what the new higher rate benefits will look like:
Universal Credit increase from April 2020
Here are the changes to the monthly Standard Allowance Universal Credit payments.
These figures include the Enhanced UC standard allowances:
Single under 25
Was £251.77
From April 2020 £342.72
Single 25 or over
Was £317.82
From April 2020 £409.89
Joint claimants both under 25
Was £395.20
From April 2020 £488.59
Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over
Was £498.89
From April 2020 £594.04
The new payments to Universal Credit from April 2020 include an enhanced UC standard allowances.
The figures include +£86.67 per month in response to the outbreak.
This is the same as £1,040 a year (or £20 a week) and will be for the next 12 months.
So, after 12 months, for joint claimants over 25 who received the standard allowance, the rate is £507.37.
For single claimants aged 25 or over in receipt of the standard allowance, the rate is £323.22 a month.
The Working Tax Credit basic element will also increase by more than £1,000 for 12 months for 2020/2021.
UC weekly
Here are the weekly figures, although they are paid monthly:
Single under 25
Was £57.94
From April 2020 £78.88
Single 25 or over
Was £73.15
From April 2020 £94.34
Joint claimants both under 25
Was £90.96
From April 2020 £112.45
Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over
Was £114.82
From April 2020 £136.72
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is increasing from £20.70 to £21.05 a week for one child.
If you have more than one child, the additional child rate is increasing from £13.70 to £13.95.
New parents – you can still claim for Child Benefit even if you’re able to register the birth
Jobseekers Allowance
(Contribution-based)
This is the amount per week.
Under 25
Was £57.90
From April 2020 £58.90
25 or over
Was £73.10
From April 2020 £74.35
ESA, Income Support, JSA (income-based)
Personal allowances (selected rates)
This is the amount per week.
Single under 25/lone parent under 18
Was £57.90
From April 2020 £58.90
Single 25+ / lone parent 18+
Was £73.10
From April 2020 £74.35
Couple (both over 18)
Was £114.85
From April 2020 £116.80
Disability and carer benefits
Disability and carer benefits are also increasing.
Higher rate of Attendance Allowance
Increase from £87.65 a week to £89.15.
Carer’s Allowance
Increasing from £66.15 a week to £67.25.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
The enhanced PIP daily living at the highest rate for DLA car is increasing from £87.65 to £89.15 per week.
For details about all other benefits and different elements, the full report is published on the House of Commons library here.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
The payments for SSP were £94.25, and they rise to 95.85 from 6 April 2020.
National Minimum Wage Increase from April 2020
The National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage increase in April each year.
From April 2020, the National Living Wage is:
25 and over
£8.72 per hour
21-24 years old
£8.20 per hour
18-20 years old
£6.45 per hour
Under 18 years old
£4.55 per hour
Apprentices
£4.15 per hour
The apprentice rate is for anyone aged 19 and under or aged 19 and over and in the first year of their apprenticeship.
So, if you’re over 19 and have completed the first year, then you need to be paid on a minimum rate based on your age.
What benefits can I claim for?
If you’re not sure what you can claim for, take a look at the Turn2Us benefits calculator.
It’s really busy at the moment, so if there are issues on the site, try again later.
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