Benefit Rates 2026/27: What's Going Up and By How Much
From April 2026, most working-age and disability benefits rose by 3.8%, the September 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure, while the State Pension rose by 4.8% under the triple lock. This page sets out the new 2026/27 rates for the main benefits and statutory payments, with the change from last year and links to the official sources, so you can see exactly what went up and by how much.
- ✓Most working-age and disability benefits rose by 3.8% from April 2026 (the September 2025 CPI figure)
- ✓The State Pension rose by 4.8% under the triple lock, to £241.30 a week (new) and £184.90 (basic)
- ✓Universal Credit standard allowances rose by more than inflation under the Universal Credit Act 2025
- ✓The two-child limit was removed from 6 April 2026
- ✓These are the 2026/27 tax year rates (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027), from official DWP and HMRC tables
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How much did benefits go up in April 2026?
Benefits are normally uprated each April. Most working-age and disability benefits are linked to the previous September's CPI inflation figure, which was 3.8% in September 2025. The State Pension is set by the triple lock (the highest of earnings growth, CPI or 2.5%), and this year earnings growth of 4.8% was the highest.
State Pension and Pension Credit 2026/27
The full new State Pension is now £241.30 a week, about £12,547 a year.
PIP, disability and carer benefits 2026/27
These all rose by 3.8%. See our dedicated PIP rates 2026/27 guide for the monthly and four-weekly figures.
The Carer's Allowance weekly earnings limit is £204 for 2026/27.
Universal Credit 2026/27
Universal Credit standard allowances rose by more than inflation (around 6.1%) under the Universal Credit Act 2025, which adds an above-inflation increase each year to 2029/30. These are monthly amounts:
Two other 2026 changes matter: the two-child limit was removed from 6 April 2026 (the child element is now paid for every child), and the health element (LCWRA) is reduced for new claims from April 2026 and then frozen. Full detail is in our Universal Credit changes 2026 guide.
Child Benefit, statutory pay and redundancy 2026/27
The benefit cap 2026/27
The benefit cap limits the total a working-age household can receive. The annual amounts for 2026/27 are:
Sources and how to cite this page
All figures are the 2026/27 tax year rates from official sources, and are updated each year when the new rates are confirmed. Journalists and researchers are welcome to cite or link to this page.
- Benefit and pension rates: DWP, Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (updated 16 February 2026).
- Uprating basis and Universal Credit changes: the House of Commons Library benefits uprating briefing and the Universal Credit Act 2025.
- Redundancy pay limits: GOV.UK redundancy pay (weekly cap £751 from 6 April 2026).
Note: most working-age and disability benefits were uprated by 3.8% (September 2025 CPI); the State Pension by 4.8% (triple lock, earnings growth). Universal Credit standard allowances received an additional above-inflation increase under the Universal Credit Act 2025.
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A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
How much did benefits go up in 2026?
Most working-age and disability benefits, including PIP, Universal Credit elements, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance, rose by 3.8% from April 2026, in line with the September 2025 CPI inflation figure. The State Pension rose by 4.8% under the triple lock, and Universal Credit standard allowances rose by more than inflation under the Universal Credit Act 2025.
What is the new State Pension in 2026/27?
The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week in 2026/27 (about £12,547 a year), up from £230.25. The full basic State Pension is £184.90 a week, up from £176.45. Both rose by 4.8%.
How much is Universal Credit in 2026/27?
The monthly standard allowance is £424.90 for a single person aged 25 or over, £338.58 for a single person under 25, £666.97 for a couple where one or both are 25 or over, and £528.34 for a couple both under 25. Extra amounts for children, housing, disability and caring are added on top.
When was the two-child limit removed?
The two-child limit on Universal Credit was removed from 6 April 2026. The child element is now paid for every child, including the third and subsequent children.
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