Overview
- From April 2026, the Universal Credit standard allowance rises by about 6.2%, with a single claimant aged 25+ increasing to £424.90 a month and joint claimants 25+ to £666.97.
- Most working‑age and disability benefits increase by 3.8% and the State Pension by 4.8%, while Child Benefit moves to £27.05 a week for the eldest child and £17.90 for additional children.
- The Universal Credit health top‑up will be cut to £50 a week for most new claimants and frozen, with existing recipients and those meeting Severe Conditions or end‑of‑life criteria protected.
- Legacy benefits migration continues, with Income Support and income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance closing on April 1, 2026 and ESA claimants moving to the Universal Credit Health Element with commensurate safeguards.
- PIP changes remain on hold after Clause 5 was dropped, as a minister‑led, co‑produced review runs to autumn 2026 with no eligibility alterations before it reports.