All the Universal Credit and other benefit changes coming in 2023

Several changes are coming into force for benefits claimants in 2023.

Around 23 million people are claiming some combination of DWP benefits, but some may need to re-evaluate their financial situation as we go into the new year.

People affected include those claiming legacy benefits and housing benefits.

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Legacy benefits change:

In 2023, the DWP will start to move people who are on legacy benefits to Universal Credit. There is no set date as to when this will start or be complete.

Administrative Earnings Threshold increase:

In January, the DWP will increase the Administrative Earnings Threshold to £617 per month for a single claimant and £782 per month for couples.

The Administrative Earnings Threshold or AET determines which group a person is placed in based on how much they earn, and therefore how much support they receive to find work and develop a career.

Energy Price Guarantee ends:

The Energy Price Guarantee, which caps the price of the average household energy bill, will be extended for 12 months from April 2023. But rather than being capped at the current £2,500 it will be £3,000.

Loan changes:

Universal Credit claimants can apply for a loan to help with mortgage interest payments. In Spring, the application waiting period will reduce from nine to three months.

Universal Credit increase:

If you’re on Universal Credit, the monthly standard allowance will be increasing as follows:

• If you’re single and under 25, the standard allowance will go up from £265.31 to £292.11
• If you’re single and aged 25 or over, the standard allowance will increase from £334.91 to £368.74
• Joint claimants’ who are both under 25 will see their standard allowance will go up from £416.45 to £458.51
• While joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over, will see their standard allowance go up from £525.72 to £578.77

Universal Credit for those with Children

Any extra payments you receive for children will also be going up next year.

• If your first child was born prior to April 6, 2017, you’ll receive £319.29 (as compared with the current rate of £290)
• If your child was born on or after April 6, 2017, or you have a second child and subsequent child, you’ll receive £269.28 (as compared with the current rate of £244.58)
• If you have a disabled child and receive a lower rate addition, your payment will increase from £132.89 to £146.31
• If you have a disabled child and receive a higher rate addition, your payment will increase from £414.88 to £456.78

Universal Credit for a limited capability for work

• If you have limited capability for work, the extra support you'll receive will go up from £132.89 to £146.31
• If you have limited capability for work and work-related activity, the amount will go up from £354.28 to £390.06

Universal Credit for carers

Those caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week are entitled to support.

In the year 2023/2024, this amount will rise from £168.81 to £185.86.

Universal Credit for increased work allowance

The higher work allowance for those with one or more dependent children, or limited capability for work, will increase from £573 to £630.87, while the lower work allowance is going up from £344 to £378.74.

Housing benefit increase:

If you’re single, housing benefits will increase as follows:

• For under 25s, it’ll rise from £61.05 to £67.22
• If you’re on main phase ESA, from £77 to £84.78
• For those aged between 25 and state pension credit age, from £77 to £84.78
• For anyone who has reached pension age, £197.10 to £217

For lone parents:

• If you’re under 18, payments will increase from £61.05 to £67.22
• If you’re on main phase ESA, from £77 to £84.78
• If you’re aged between 18 and state pension credit age, from £77 to £84.78
• If you’ve reached state pension age, from £197.10 to £217

For couples:

• If both are aged under 18, payments will go up from £92.20 to £101.51
• If one or both are aged between 18 and state pension credit age, from £121.05 to £133.27
• If you’re on main phase ESA, from £121.05 to £133.27
• If one or both have reached pension age, from £294.90 to £324.68

Pension Credit increase:

Pension Credit exists to support retirees on a low income.

From April next year, the rates will rise as follows:

• For those who are single, your income will be topped up to £201.04 instead of the current rate of £182.60
• For couples, it’ll be topped up to £306.85 as compared with the current rate of £278.70

If your income is lower than this, you should be eligible for the benefit.

Attendance Allowance increase:

If you have a disability severe enough that you require somebody else to look after you, you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance.

It’s paid at two rates depending on how much the level of care that you need.

The lower rate will go up from £61.85 to £68.10

The higher rate will go up from £92.40 to £101.73

Carers Allowance increase:

If you care for someone at least 35 hours a week (and they get certain benefits), you can claim Carer’s Allowance.

From April next year, the rate will increase from £69.70 to £76.74 a week.

Disability Living Allowance increase:

The Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people.

You can only apply for DLA if you're under 16 and you live in England or Wales. Those who live in Scotland can apply for Child Disability Payment.

For adults, further details on the eligibility criteria can be found here.

Next year, DLA care component rates will increase as follows:

• The highest rate will go up from £92.40 to £101.73
• The middle rate from £61.85 to £68.09
• The lowest rate from £24.45 to £26.92

DLA mobility component rates will increase as follows:

• The higher rate will go up from £64.50 to £71.01
• The lower rate from £24.45 to £26.92

Employment Support Allowance increase:

This benefit provides support to those on a low income by topping up their pay where needed.

Here’s how it’s changing from April next year:

• If you’re under 25 years old, support will increase from £61.05 to £67.22
• If you’re 25 and older, from £77 to £84.78
• Lone parents under 18 will see the rate go up from £61.05 to £67.22
• Lone parents who are 18 or over, from £77 to £84.78

There are also further rates for couples, those with disabilities or caring responsibilities, which can be found here.

Jobseekers Allowance increase:

Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) exists to support unemployed people while they look for a job. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit, but those still claiming JSA will see their payments increase in the new year.

• If you’re under 25, contribution-based and income-based payments will increase from £61.05 a week to £67.22
• If you’re 25 or over, these rates will go up from £77 to £84.78 a week

Rates for couples, those with children, disabilities or caring responsibilities can be found here.

Maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay

The statutory rates for maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay will all increase from £156.66 to £172.48.

Payments for parental bereavement will also go up by the same amounts.

Maternity allowance increase:

This will benefit new mums who don't qualify for standard maternity pay.

If you qualify, payments will rise from £156.66 a week to £172.48 from April 2023.

Income support increase:

The amount of Income Support you receive will depend on your circumstances.

But if you're single and aged between 16 and 24, your weekly payments start from £61.05.

This amount will now increase to £67.22 a week from April, 2023.

Personal Independence Payment increase:

This payment, known as PIP, helps with extra living costs for those with illnesses or disabilities.

From April next year, the rates will change as follows:

• The enhanced daily living component will go up from £92.40 to £101.73
• The standard daily living component will increase from £61.85 to £68.10
• The enhanced mobility component will rise from £64.50 to £71.01
• The standard mobility component will rise from £24.45 to £26.92 for standard

State Pension increase:

The new State Pension rate will increase from £185.15 a week to £203.85.

For the old state pension, the basic rate will rise from £141.85 to £156.18.

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