Benefit Changes April 2026: Full List of New Rates & What Changed
CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor, Kaeltripton
Published4 Apr 2026
Last reviewed11 May 2026
✓ Fact-checked
Illustrative image. AI-generated and does not depict real people, places or events.
Advertisement
6 April 2026 was the biggest single date for benefit changes in recent years — new rates across all major benefits, the removal of the two-child limit, and the formal end of the legacy benefits era. Updated April 2026 — GOV.UK Confirmed
April 2026 Benefit Rate Changes — Complete List
Benefit
2025/26 Rate
2026/27 Rate
Increase
Source
New State Pension
£230.25/week
£241.30/week
+4.8%
GOV.UK triple lock
Basic State Pension
£176.45/week
£184.90/week
+4.8%
GOV.UK
UC Single 25+
£400.14/month
£424.90/month
+6.1%
HoC Library
UC Single under 25
£316.98/month
£338.58/month
+6.1%
HoC Library
UC Couples 25+
£628.10/month
£666.97/month
+6.1%
HoC Library
Child Benefit (first child)
£27.05/week
£27.05/week
+3.84%
HMRC press release
Child Benefit (additional)
£17.90/week
£17.90/week
+3.77%
HMRC press release
PIP Daily Living Enhanced
£114.60/week
£114.60/week
+3.8%
DWP confirmed
PIP Daily Living Standard
£76.70/week
£76.70/week
+3.8%
DWP confirmed
PIP Mobility Enhanced
£77.05/week
£80.00/week
+3.8%
DWP confirmed
PIP Mobility Standard
£29.20/week
£30.30/week
+3.8%
DWP confirmed
Carer's Allowance
£81.90/week
£86.45/week
+3.8%
DWP confirmed
Attendance Allowance Higher
£114.60/week
£114.60/week
+3.8%
DWP confirmed
Attendance Allowance Lower
£76.70/week
£76.70/week
+3.8%
DWP confirmed
Pension Credit (single)
£218.15/week
Confirmed 2026/27
3.8%
GOV.UK
Statutory Sick Pay
£116.75/week
£123.25/week
+3.8%
GOV.UK employers guide
National Living Wage
£12.21/hour
£12.71/hour
+4.1%
GOV.UK
Major Policy Changes — April 2026
Change
What It Means
Who Is Affected
Two-child limit removed
UC child element payable for all children
Families with 3+ children on UC or CTC
Legacy benefits abolished
Income Support and Income-Based JSA no longer exist
All remaining legacy claimants moved to UC
Tax credits ended
Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit ended
All remaining claimants migrated to UC
LCWRA new claimants lower rate
New UC health element claimants get lower rate
People newly applying for LCWRA from April 2026
Crisis and Resilience Fund launched
Replaces Household Support Fund
Those needing emergency local support
Making Tax Digital launched
Quarterly tax reporting for self-employed income over £50k
Self-employed and landlords with income over £50k
What Did NOT Change
The following were NOT changed in April 2026: PIP eligibility criteria (proposed changes were not implemented); income tax rates or personal allowance; capital gains tax rates or annual exempt amount; ISA allowance (remains £20,000 for 2026/27); VAT rates; the Benefit Cap (though the annual uprating review is ongoing). The 2027/28 budget may address further changes.
How to Check If You Are Getting the Right Amount
If you are receiving benefits, check your bank statement after mid-April to confirm you are receiving the new rates. DWP sends uprating letters between February and March — if you have not received one, this does not mean you are not entitled. If your benefit has not increased by mid-May, contact DWP. For Universal Credit, the increase applies from your first assessment period that ends on or after 6 April 2026. Check your online UC account for your new award amount.
KAELTRIPTON VERDICT
April 2026 was transformational for the UK benefits system: a 6.1% UC increase (the highest in years), the end of legacy benefits, the two-child limit removal, and 3.8% rises across disability and carer benefits. The State Pension rose 4.8%. If you think your payments have not increased correctly, contact DWP or Citizens Advice. The legacy benefits era is over — all working-age claimants should now be on Universal Credit.
All Rates Confirmed — GOV.UK April 2026
Q: What benefits changed in April 2026?
A: UC up 6.1%, State Pension up 4.8%, most others up 3.8% CPI. Two-child limit removed. Legacy benefits abolished. LCWRA new claimant rate reduced.
Q: How much did UC increase in April 2026?
A: 6.1% total (3.8% CPI + 2.3% extra). Single 25+: £400.14 → £424.90/month. Source: House of Commons Library.
Q: What happened to legacy benefits?
A: Abolished April 2026. Income Support, Income-Based JSA, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit all ended. All claimants moved to Universal Credit with transitional protection.
Q: What is the two-child limit removal?
A: From April 2026, UC child elements payable for ALL children — not just first two. Families with 3+ children get extra approximately £278/month per additional child.
This article is for informational purposes only. Benefit rules are complex and change frequently. Always check gov.uk, Citizens Advice or Turn2us for your personal entitlement. All rates verified from GOV.UK, HMRC and House of Commons Library, April 2026.
The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA.
CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.
