The changes will take effect at the start of the 2026/27 financial year. While the increases vary depending on the type of benefit, they represent one of the routine annual upratings designed to reflect shifts in inflation and earnings.
The announcement means many households relying on disability support, pensions or working-age benefits will see modest increases in their weekly income. According to figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), around 24 million people in Great Britain currently receive at least one form of state support.
Disability Benefits and PIP Payments Set to Increase
One of the key changes concerns Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a benefit designed to help people manage extra costs related to long-term health conditions or disabilities. According to reports, the weekly value of PIP will rise by 3.8 per cent from 6 April 2026.
PIP consists of two separate components: daily living and mobility. Claimants may receive one or both components, and each is paid at either a standard or enhanced rate depending on an individual assessment.
From April, the enhanced rate of the daily living component will increase from £110.40 to £114.60 per week, while the standard rate will rise from £73.90 to £76.70. The mobility component will also change, with the enhanced rate increasing from £77.05 to £80.00 and the standard rate from £29.20 to £30.30.
Because claimants may receive different combinations of these components, several payment totals are possible. Individuals receiving both enhanced rates will receive £194.60 per week, which equates to £778.40 over the typical four-week payment period.
Those receiving both standard rates will receive £107 per week, or £428 every four weeks. Other combinations include £156.70 per week for standard daily living with enhanced mobility, and £144.90 per week for enhanced daily living with standard mobility. The Department for Work and Pensions is expected to notify claimants of their updated entitlement before the new rates take effect in April. The benefit remains tax-free and does not count towards the benefit cap.
State Pension and Other Benefits Also Rising in April
Beyond disability payments, several other benefits will increase as part of the annual uprating. The State Pension will rise by 4.8 per cent from April 2026, affecting nearly 13 million pensioners across the UK. The full rate of the new State Pension will increase from £230.25 to £241.30 per week. The basic State Pension will also rise, with Category A or B payments increasing from £176.45 to £184.90.
Working-age benefits will see smaller increases of 3.8 per cent. This applies to payments such as Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance.
Universal Credit’s standard monthly allowance will increase as well. A single claimant aged 25 or over will receive £424.90 per month, up from £400.14. Couples where at least one partner is aged 25 or over will receive £666.97 per month instead of £628.10.
Other payments are also changing. Carer’s Allowance will rise to £86.45 per week, while the earnings threshold for eligibility will increase from £196 to £204. The government sends annual uprating letters to claimants before the revised payments begin. These notices confirm new entitlement amounts and can be used as evidence when applying for additional financial support schemes.
