All the pension and DWP benefits rising and how much more you’ll get from April 2026

MILLIONS of pensioners and people who receive benefits will see a boost to their payments from April 2026 as the annual uprating for 2026/27 sees key increases, including rises to Universal Credit, disability benefits, and working-age support payments. Most benefits have been increased in line with inflation at 3.8%, ensuring payments better reflect rising living costs. Meanwhile, the State Pension increase for 2026/27 is protected by the government’s Triple Lock guarantee, which ensures the pension rises by the highest of inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%. For 2026/27, this means a 4.8% increase. READ MORE: Scott McTominay’s legendary overhead goal impressed Japan boss Whether you're a pensioner, carer, disabled claimant, jobseeker, parent, or someone unable to work due to illness, the Department for Work and Pensions has put out its 2026/27 to every major UK benefit, detailing its updated payment rates . Yesterday, a new law to remove the two-child limit on Universal Credit received Royal Assent Together with other support, this means we will lift 550,000 children out of poverty pic.twitter.com/ZPDHxEkop3— Department for Work and Pensions (@DWPgovuk) March 19, 2026 Disability Benefits 2026/27 Disability benefits provide extra financial support if you need help with care or mobility. Many of these payments are tax-free and not means-tested, meaning savings and income do not affect eligibility. Attendance Allowance For people over State Pension age who need help with personal care. 2026/27 Rates: - Lower rate: £76.70 per week - Higher rate: £114.60 per week Key Features: - Not means-tested - Tax-free - No mobility component - Can increase Pension Credit and Housing Benefit - May allow a carer to claim Carer’s Allowance At the higher rate, this is worth nearly £6,000 per year. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) For working-age people with long-term health conditions or disabilities. Daily Living Component (2026/27): - Standard: £76.70 - Enhanced: £114.60 Mobility Component: - Standard: £30.30 - Enhanced: £80.00 PIP is not means-tested and can significantly increase Universal Credit or Housing Benefit awards. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Being replaced by PIP for adults but still paid to some children. Care Component: - Lowest: £30.30 - Middle: £76.70 - Highest: £114.60 Mobility Component: - Lower: £30.30 - Higher: £80.00 Today we've announced the largest above-inflation increase to the Minimum Income Guarantee in over a decade. Helping working-age disabled adults pay for everyday essentials. We've also confirmed £723m that could fund home adaptations for around 60,000 older and disabled people. pic.twitter.com/yRzJcVfryE— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) February 17, 2026 Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) For people unable to work due to illness or disability. Many people have now been moved to Universal Credit through a 'managed migration' process. Contributory / New Style ESA (2026/27): - Under 25: £75.65 - 25 or over: £95.55 Additional Components: - Work-related activity: £37.95 - Support component: £50.35 READ MORE: What this week's polls tell us as Holyrood 2026 election campaign begins Income-Related ESA (selected 2026/27 rates): - Single 25 or over: £97.75 - Couple (both over 18): £153.61 Premiums: - Enhanced disability: £22.00 - Severe disability (single): £86.05 - Carer premium: £48.15 Universal Credit 2026/27 (Monthly Rates) Universal Credit Universal Credit (UC) replaces six legacy benefits and supports working-age households. Standard Allowance (2026/27): Single under 25: £338.58 Single 25 or over: £424.90 Couple (one or both 25+): £666.97 Child Elements: First child (pre-April 2017): £351.88 Subsequent children: £303.94 Disabled Child Addition: Lower rate: £164.79 Higher rate: £514.71 Carer Element: £209.34 Childcare Support: One child max: £1,071.09 Two or more: £1,836.16 Work Allowances: Higher: £710 Lower: £427 Capital Rules: - Upper limit: £16,000 - First £6,000 ignored - £4.35 assumed income per £250 above threshold Pension age benefits State Pension 2026/27 New State Pension (full rate): £241.30 per week Old Basic State Pension: £184.90 per week Most pension payments increased by 4.8% for 2026/27. Pension Credit 2026/27 Pension Credit Guarantees a minimum weekly income. Standard Minimum Guarantee: Single: £238.00 Couple: £363.25 Additional Amounts: Severe disability (single): £86.05 Carer addition: £48.15 Savings Credit: Maximum single: £17.96 Maximum couple: £20.10 No upper capital limit applies, but tariff income applies above £10,000. Pension Credit can unlock: - Free NHS dental treatment - Council Tax Reduction - Cold Weather Payments - Free TV licence (age 75+) Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb, now a partner at pension consultants LCP, said: "With households continuing to face a high cost of living and further increases in bills such as Council Tax, these annual upratings are vital to make sure that pensioner living standards are protected against inflation." READ MORE: Scottish Government responds after using picture of North Korea in Highlands advert Housing Support 2026/27 Housing Benefit Now mainly for pensioners and some supported housing claimants. This has been frozen again. Personal Allowances (2026/27): Single 25+: £95.55 Couple (18+): £150.15 Premiums: Family: £20.22 Disability (single): £44.85 Severe disability (single): £86.05 Carer premium: £48.15 Universal Credit includes housing costs for most working-age claimants. Carer Support 2026/27 Carer's Allowance Weekly rate: £86.45 Must: - Provide 35+ hours of care weekly - Earn no more than £204 per week Can also trigger extra Universal Credit or Pension Credit additions. Jobseeker and Income Support 2026/27 Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Contribution-based: - Under 25: £75.65 - 25+: £95.55 Income-based: - Single 25+: £95.55 - Couple (18+): £150.15 Income Support Single 25+: £95.55 Couple 18+: £150.15 Dependent child: £87.88 Premiums match ESA and JSA disability rates. Bereavement Benefits 2026/27 Bereavement Support Payment Standard: - Lump sum: £2,500 - Monthly: £100 Higher: - Lump sum: £3,500 - Monthly: £350 Widowed Parent’s Allowance (legacy): £156.65 per week. Statutory Payments 2026/27 Statutory Sick Pay £123.25 per week Statutory Maternity Pay £194.32 per week Also £194.32 for: - Statutory Paternity Pay - Statutory Adoption Pay - Statutory Shared Parental Pay - Statutory Neonatal Pay - Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay Industrial Injuries Benefits 2026/27 Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit 100% disablement rate: £233.90 Constant Attendance Allowance: Exceptional: £187.20 Intermediate: £140.40 Normal maximum: £93.60 Part-time: £46.80 Unemployability Supplement: £144.65 Maximum life gratuity: £15,520 Benefit Cap 2026/27 Greater London: Couples / single with child: £25,323 per year Single adult: £16,967 Rest of Great Britain: Couples / single with child: £22,020 Single adult: £14,753 Certain disability claimants are exempt. Capital Limits Across Benefits Universal Credit & Working-Age Benefits: Upper limit: £16,000 Disregard: £6,000 Pension Credit: No upper limit First £10,000 ignored £1 income per £500 above threshold