New DWP weekly payment rates due from April for people on State Pension or benefits

London: On Tuesday, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will present a motion in Parliament. This motion is about the ‘Draft Social Security Benefits Up-Rating Order 2025’. Opposition MPs can challenge the DWP on State Pensions and benefits but are likely to support the proposed increases.

Millions of older people on the State Pension will see a 4.1% rise this year. Those on working-age or disability benefits can expect a 1.7% increase. However, many may not realize that while the DWP applies new rates on April 7, most will not see the higher payments until May.

Most payments are made four weeks in arrears. Some State Pension recipients who get payments weekly or fortnightly will see the increase sooner. Universal Credit is a bit different, as assessment periods run month-to-month, meaning the new amount may not arrive until the next payment cycle in May.

Claimants on devolved benefits in Scotland, like Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment, will also see a 1.7% rise from April. Similar to DWP, most payments are made in arrears, so the increase may not be seen until the next scheduled pay period.

The DWP has confirmed the new weekly or monthly rates for the upcoming financial year. A full breakdown of all benefits, including additional payments and new deduction rates, is available on GOV.UK.

New DWP Payment Rates 2025/26

Weekly rates are shown, unless stated otherwise, and are listed alphabetically for easy reference.

Attendance Allowance

• Higher rate: £110.40 (up from £108.55)
• Lower rate: £73.90 (up from £72.65)

Carer’s Allowance

• April 2025 rate: £83.30 (up from £81.90)
• Weekly earnings threshold: £196.00 (up from £151)

Disability Living Allowance / Child Disability Payment

Care Component

• Highest: £110.40 (up from £108.55)
• Middle: £73.90 (up from £72.65)
• Lowest: £29.20 (up from £28.70)

Mobility Component

• Higher: £77.05 (up from £75.75)
• Lower: £29.20 (up from £28.70)

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Single, under 25: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• Single, 25 or over: £92.05 (up from £90.50)
• Lone parent, under 18: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• Lone parent, over 18: £92.05 (up from £90.50)
• Couple, both under 18: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• Couple, both under 18 with child: £110.15 (up from £108.30)
• Couple, both under 18 (main phase): £92.05 (up from £90.50)
• Couple, both under 18 with child (main phase): £144.65 (up from £142.25)
• Couple, both over 18: £144.65 (up from £142.25)

Full details on mixed-age households and premiums are available on GOV.UK.

Incapacity Benefit

• Long-term Incapacity Benefit: £141.25 (up from £138.90)

Short-term Incapacity Benefit (under State Pension age)

• Lower rate: £106.65 (up from £104.85)
• Higher rate: £126.10 (up from £124.00)

Short-term Incapacity Benefit (over State Pension age)

• Lower rate: £135.50 (up from £133.25)
• Higher rate: £141.25 (up from £138.90)

Increase of Long-term Incapacity Benefit for age

• Lower rate: £8.30 (up from £8.15)
• Higher rate: £14.95 (up from £14.70)

Invalidity Allowance (Transitional)

• Higher rate: £14.95 (up from £14.70)
• Middle rate: £8.30 (up from £8.15)
• Lower rate: £8.30 (up from £8.15)

Income Support

• Single, under 25: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• Single, 25 or over: £92.05 (up from £90.50)
• Lone parent, under 18: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• Lone parent, 18 or over: £92.05 (up from £90.50)
• Couple, both under 18: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• Couple, both under 18 – higher rate: £110.15 (up from £108.30)
• Couple, one under 18, one under 25: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• Couple, one under 18, one 25 and over: £92.05 (up from £90.50)
• Couple, both 18 or over: £144.65 (up from £142.25)

Full details on additional premiums by age and household circumstances are available on GOV.UK.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Contribution-based JSA

• Under 25: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• 25 or over: £92.05 (up from £90.50)

Income-based JSA

• Under 25: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• 25 or over: £92.05 (up from £90.50)

Lone parent

• Under 18: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• 18 or over: £92.05 (up from £90.50)
• Couple, both under 18: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• Couple, both under 18 – higher rate: £110.15 (up from £108.30)
• Couple, one under 18, one under 25: £72.90 (up from £71.70)
• Couple, one under 18, one 25 and over: £92.05 (up from £90.50)
• Couple, both 18 or over: £144.65 (up from £142.25)

Full details on amounts for mixed-age households and premiums are available on GOV.UK.

Maternity Allowance

• Standard rate: £187.18 (up from £184.03)

Pension Credit

Standard minimum guarantee

• Single: £227.10 (up from £218.15)
• Couple: £346.60 (up from £332.95)

Additional amount for severe disability

• Single: £82.90 (up from £81.50)
• Couple (one qualifies): £82.90 (up from £81.50)
• Couple (both qualify): £165.75 (up from £163.00)
• Additional amount for carers: £46.40 (up from £45.60)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment

Daily Living Component

• Enhanced: £110.40 (up from £108.55)
• Standard: £73.90 (up from £72.65)

Mobility Component

• Enhanced: £77.05 (up from £75.75)
• Standard: £29.20 (up from £28.70)

A full list of all PIP and ADP combined award payment rates from April can be found on GOV.UK.

State Pension

New State Pension

• Full rate: £230.25 (up from £221.20)

Old/Basic State Pension

• Category A or B Basic State Pension: £176.45 (up from £169.50)
• Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil partner’s insurance: £105.70 (up from £101.55)
• Category C or D – non-contributory: £105.70 (up from £101.55)

Full details on Additional State Pension, Widows Pension, increments, and Invalidity Allowance can be found on GOV.UK.

Universal Credit (monthly rates)

Single

• Under 25: £316.98 (up from £311.63)
• 25 or over: £400.14 (up from £393.45)

Couples

• Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 (up from £489.23)
• Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £628.10 (up from £617.60)

A full list of additional elements related to Universal Credit is available on GOV.UK.

HMRC Payment Rates 2025/26

HMRC has also confirmed new payment rates for Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance. Tax Credits will end on April 5, 2025, so there are no payment changes.

Child Benefit

• Eldest or only child: £26.05 (up from £25.60)
• Additional children: £17.25 (up from £16.95)

Guardian’s Allowance

• From April 2025: £22.10 (up from £21.75)

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