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.
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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
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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."
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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