Universal Credit claimants are set to receive an increase on their payment rates from April 2023.
New benefit payment rates will be rolled out from the beginning of the 2023/2024 financial year, reports Chronicle Live. People who claim Universal Credit will get a 10.1 per cent increase on their payments, in line with inflation rates.
Those on low incomes - including those unable to work and the unemployed - can apply for Universal Credit. The payment increase was agreed on in November last year, which was based on the inflation rate for September 2022.
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The new rates will kick in from Saturday, April 1, 2023.
Universal Credit payment rates from April 2023
Standard allowance
The standard Universal Credit monthly payment will increase from £265.31 to £292.11 for single claimants aged under 25. The payment for those over 25 will increase from £334.91 to £368.74.
Couples in the same household - also known as joint claimants - will receive £458.51 monthly if they are both under 25 - up from £416.45. Joint claimants will get £578.82 if at least one of them is over 25, up from £525.72.
Children - extra amounts for first and second children
These type of payments are made to parents who are claiming Universal Credit. Most tend to get extra payments for up to children, but those whose children were born before April 6, 2017 - or were claiming for three or more children - before that date can get payments for additional children.
First-child payments to parents with children born before April 6, 2017 will increase to £315, up from £290. Payments for children born after April 2017 and second children/additional children will increase from £244.58 to £269.58.
Parents with disabled children can access extra payments. These rates will rise from £132.89 to £146.31 for parents of disabled kids, and up to £456.89 from £414.88 for parents of severely disabled children.
If you have a disability or health condition
Those with disabilities or health conditions that limit their ability to work can also get extra money on top of their standard Universal Credit payments.
Those who are eligible for the Limited Capability for Work amount will get their payments increased from £132.89 to £146.31. The Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity amount will rise from £354.28 to £390.06.
Carers
Carers who look after somebody for 35 hours a week will see their payments increase from £168.81 to £185.86.
Childcare costs
Those who claim Universal Credit can claim back up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs up to a maximum amount.
Unlike other aspects of Universal Credit, this allowance will not be increased from April 2023. It will remain at £646.35 for one child and £1108.04 for two or more.
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