Here’s what you need to know about DWP changes set for next year
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed the proposed new weekly payment rates for those receiving State Pension or benefits. Nearly 13 million pensioners are poised to see their State Pension payments increase by 4.8 per cent from 6 April, while those on working age or disability benefits can anticipate a 3.8 per cent rise.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, disclosed the new payment rates shortly after Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Autumn Budget in Parliament on November 26. He also highlighted that the new Universal Credit Act 2025 will result in the Standard Allowance increasing by approximately £295 annually for a single person aged 25 or over, and around £465 for couples where one is aged 25 or over.
Additional elements of the State Pension payment will see a 3.8 per cent rise, while the Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit will increase by 4.8 per cent – mirroring the rise in average earnings. From April, it will be £238.00 a week for a single pensioner and £363.25 a week for a couple.
In England and Wales, the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and other benefits designed to assist with additional needs arising from disability, as well as the rate of Carer’s Allowance, will also experience a 3.8 per cent increase.
As pointed out by the Daily Record, in Scotland, these are devolved matters and the annual adjustment will be announced at the Scottish Budget on 13 January, 2026.
However, those in receipt of devolved benefits such as Adult, Child or Pension Age Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment or Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance are anticipated to see their annual payments rise in line with DWP to avoid a two-tier benefits system across Great Britain.
In Northern Ireland, all social security, including State Pensions, is a transferred matter. Annual uprating letters are dispatched to all claimants prior to the commencement of new payment rates in April, informing individuals about the alterations – store this safely as it can often serve as evidence of benefit entitlement when applying for other forms of financial assistance.
New DWP payment rates 2026/27
Weekly rates are shown unless otherwise stated and have been listed in alphabetical order to make it easier to find the payment relevant to your own situation.
A full breakdown of all benefits, including additional payments, the benefit cap and new deduction rates can be found on GOV.UK.
Attendance Allowance
- Higher rate: £114.60 (from £110.40)
- Lower rate: £76.70 (from £73.90)
Carer’s Allowance
- April 2026 weekly payment rate: £86.45 (from £83.30)
- Weekly earnings threshold: £204.00 (from £196.00)
Disability Living Allowance
Daily Care component
- Highest: £114.60 (from £110.40)
- Middle: £76.70 (from £73.90)
- Lowest: £30.30 (from £29.20)
Mobility component
- Higher: £77.05 (from £80.00)
- Lower: £30.30 (from £29.20)
Contributory and New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Single, under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- Single, 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
- Lone parent, under 18: £95.55 (from £72.90)
- Lone parent, over 18: £92.05 (from £92.05)
- Couple, both under 18: £75.65 from (72.90)
- Couple, both under 18 with child: £111.35 (from £110.15)
- Couple, both under 18 (main phase): £95.55 (from £92.05)
- Couple, both under 18 with child (main phase): £150.15 (from £144.65)
- Couple, both over 18: £150.15 (from £144.65)
Full details on amounts for mixed age households and premiums can be found on GOV.UK.
Income Support
- Single, under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- Single, 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
- Lone parent, under 18: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- Lone parent, 18 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
- Couple, both under 18: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- Couple, both under 18 – higher rate: £114.35 (from £110.15)
- Couple, one under 18, one under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- Couple, one under 18, one 25 and over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
- Couple, both 18 or over: £150.15 (from £144.65)
Full details on additional premiums by age and household circumstances can be found on GOV.UK.
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Contribution based JSA
- Under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
Income-based JSA
- Under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
Lone parent
- Under 18: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- 18 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
- Couple, both under 18: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- Couple, both under 18 – higher rate: £114.35 (from £11.15)
- Couple, one under 18, one under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
- Couple, one under 18, one 25 and over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
- Couple, both 18 or over: £150.15 (from £144.65)
Full details on amounts for mixed age households and premiums can be found on GOV.UK.
Maternity Allowance
Standard rate: £194.32 (from £187.18)
Pension Credit
Standard minimum guarantee
- Single: £238.00 (from £227.10)
- Couple: £363.25 (from £346.60)
Additional amount for severe disability
- Single: £86.05 (from £82.90)
- Couple (one qualifies): £86.05 (from £82.90)
- Couple (both qualify): £172.10 (from £165.75)
- Additional amount for carers: £48.15 (from £46.40)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Daily Living component
- Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)
- Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)
Mobility component
- Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)
- Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)
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State Pension
New State Pension
- Full rate: £241.30 (from £230.25)
Old/Basic State Pension
- Category A or B Basic State Pension: £184.90 (from £176.45)
- Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)
- Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)
Full details on Additional State Pension, Widows Pension, increments and Invalidity Allowance can be found on GOV.UK.
Universal Credit (monthly rates)
Single People
- Under 25: £338.58 (from £316.98)
- 25 or over: £424.90 (from £400.14)
Couples
- Joint claimants both under 25: £528.34 (from £497.55)
- Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £666.97 (from £628.10)
A full list of additional elements related to Universal Credit can be found on GOV.UK.
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