UNIVERSAL Credit and a range of other benefits are set to rise within weeks – we reveal what dates exactly.
Millions will receive a pay boost from April as benefits go up in line with inflation for last September – 10.1%.
GettyMillions on benefits will get a pay rise from April[/caption]
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced the news in his Autumn Statement.
But the dates they will rise vary depending on the type of benefit and when you normally get paid too.
Here is when each benefit group will see their payments rise.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support
Any rise in rates or allowances for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support coincide with the new council tax year.
That means new rates for Council Tax Support will go up from April 1 while Housing Benefit rates will rise from April 1 if you pay rent monthly.
Housing Benefit rates will go up from April 3 if you pay rent weekly or fortnightly.
It’s worth bearing in mind the amount your Council Tax Support allowance goes up will vary depending on where you live.
This is because each local council is responsible for operating its own support schemes.
Means-tested benefits
Means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and Pension Credit, will go up on the first Monday after April 6, the start of the new tax year.
This means any means-tested benefit pay rises will come into effect from April 10.
Tax Credits
Any increase in rates for tax credits come into effect from April 6.
This means if you are on Child Tax Credits or Working Tax Credits you will see a pay boost from this date.
Of course, remember that benefit rates go up from the above dates so you might not see any change in your pay for a few weeks.
As an example, Universal Credit is paid monthly.
If you normally receive your payment on the 4th of every month, you won’t see the 10.1% pay rise until your May 4th payment.
What other help is available for households this year?
Beyond millions getting a pay rise from April, there is other help on offer for households this year and into 2024.
The government has announced a second batch of cost of living payments to help struggling households, including a £900, £150 and £300 payment.
The previous £650 cost of living payment was made to those on a number of means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit and Pension Credit.
It is believed the new £300 payment will have the same eligibility criteria as the new £300 payment.
This means you’ll qualify if:
You were born on or before September 25, 1956You lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 in what is known as the “qualifying week”
Again, the criteria for the new £150 payment is believed to be the same for the new £150 payment.
People with disabilities who qualified for the current £150 one-off payment needed to receive one of the following:
Attendance AllowanceConstant Attendance AllowanceDisability Living Allowance for adultsDisability Living Allowance for childrenPersonal Independence PaymentAdult Disability Payment (in Scotland)Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)Armed Forces Independence PaymentWar Pension Mobility Supplement
Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible for all three of the new cost of living payments, worth up to £1,350.
The dates these payments will be made was announced in January.