MILLIONS of households will get an up to £970 extra per year from today (April 10).
The state pension weekly rate has increased by 10.1% meaning older people will receive a cash boost.
AlamyThe state pension rate is increasing by 10.1% from today[/caption]
Single people on the new state pension rate will see their payments rise from £185.15 to £203.85.
That’s almost £19 more per week and over £970 more per year.
Meanwhile, single people on the basic part of the old state pension will see their weekly rate go from £141.85 to £156.20 – almost £750 a year.
It’s worth bearing in mind your weekly payments might not go up by this much.
Those with missing National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will see a smaller increase.
It’s also worth noting that when you see the state pension increase will depend on when you normally get paid.
The boost comes as charity bosses warned the rise was not enough to cover the cost of living.
What other benefits are rising?
A host of other benefits are rising by 10.1% too from today – including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
Here are how much some of the benefits are rising by.
Universal Credit
Standard allowance (per month)
For those single and aged under 25, the standard allowance has gone from £265.31 to £292.11For those single and aged 25 or over, the standard allowance has gone from £334.91 to £368.74For joint claimants both under 25, the standard allowance has gone from £416.45 to £458.51For joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over, the standard allowance has gone from £525.72 to £578.82
Extra amounts for children
For those with a first child born before April 6, 2017, the extra amount has gone from £290 to £315For those with a child born on or after April 6, 2017 or second child and subsequent child, the extra amount has gone from £244.58 to £269.58For those with a disabled child, the lower rate addition payment has gone from £132.89 to £146.31 and the higher rate from £414.88 to £456.89
Extra amounts for limited capability for work
For those deemed to have limited capability for work, the extra amount has gone from £132.89 to £146.31For those deemed to have limited capability for work or work-related activity, the extra amount has gone from £354.28 to £390.06
Extra amounts for being a carer
Universal Credit claimants can get an additional amount if they’re caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week.
The amount you get a month has gone from £168.81 to £185.86.
Increased work allowance
The higher work allowance (no housing amount) for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work has gone from £573 to £631The lower work allowance for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work has gone from £344 to £379
Pension Credit
Retirees on a low income can get it topped up via Pension Credit.
Pension Credit has risen from £182.60 a week to £201.05 or for couples, from £278.70 to £306.85.
If your income is lower than this, you should be eligible for the benefit.
You could get the “Savings Credit” part of Pension Credit if both of the following apply:
you reached state pension age before 6 April 2016you saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension
This part of Pension Credit has gone up from £14.48 a week to £15.94 or for couples, from £16.20 to £17.84.
There are also top-up amounts, for instance, if you’re caring for someone else or are disabled.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.
It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
The higher rate has risen from £92.40 to £101.75, while the lower rate has also gone up from £61.85 to £68.10.
Carer’s Allowance
You can claim Carer’s Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
The rate has increased from £69.70 to £76.75 a week.
Disability Living Allowance
The Disability Living Allowance is being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people.
You can only apply for DLA if you’re under 16. Older people whose DLA claim hasn’t come to an end may see payments go up.
Highest amount has risen from £92.40 to £101.75Middle amount from £61.85 to £68.10Lowest amount from £24.45 to £26.90
And for the mobility component:
Higher amount from £64.50 to £71.00Lower amount from £24.45 to £26.90
Employment Support Allowance
Employment Support Allowance (ESA) tops up workers’ pay if they’re on a low income.
Under 25 years old, from £61.05 to £67.20Age 25 and older, from £77 to £84.80Lone parent under 18, from £61.05 to £67.20Lone parent 18 or over, from £77 to £84.80
There are also further rates for couples, those with disabilities or caring responsibilities.
Jobseekers Allowance
Means-tested benefits, including Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, have gone up too.
Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) supports those who are out of work while they look for a job.
It is being replaced by Universal Credit but if you are still claiming it you’ll see payments go up in April.
For under 25-year-olds, contribution-based and income-based payments have gone up from £61.05 a week to £67.20, and from £77 to £84.80 a week for those who are older.
There are also further rates for couples, those with children, disabilities or caring responsibilities.
Maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay
Pay for mums and dads taking time away for kids, including those adopting, have risen too.
The statutory rates have risen from £156.66 to £172.48, for maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay.
Parental bereavement pay has also risen by the same amounts.
Maternity allowance
New mums who don’t qualify for standard maternity pay can still get a payment adding up to thousands of pounds from Maternity Allowance.
It has risen from £156.66 a week to £172.48 from today.
Income support
Income support is extra money for people who don’t have enough to live on.
How much you get depends on your personal circumstances, however if you’re single and aged between 16 and 24, your weekly payments start from £61.05.
It has gone up to £67.20 a week – a £6 a week pay rise.
Personal Independence Payment
Rates for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) have risen from today.
PIP helps with the extra cost of living for those with illnesses or disabilities.
Payments for the daily living component have risen from £92.40 to £101.75 for enhanced and from £61.85 to £68.10 for standard.
For the mobility component it has risen from £64.50 to £71.00 for enhanced, and £24.45 to £26.90 for standard.