The Universal Credit standard allowance rose for assessment periods starting on or after 6 April 2026. GOV.UK says the two-child limit ended on 6 April 2026 and Universal Credit now pays the extra amount for every child, no matter how many children you have. The Universal Credit Act 2025 changed how the LCWRA element works from 6 April 2026, and GOV.UK says it is now paid at two rates, a higher rate and a lower rate.
Key points
✓The standard allowance for a single person aged 25 or over is £424.90 a month, up from £400.14
✓GOV.UK says the two-child limit ended on 6 April 2026 and Universal Credit now pays the extra amount for every child
✓The LCWRA element is paid at £429.80 a month at the higher rate and £217.26 a month at the lower rate
✓The LCWRA element and the LCW element are excluded from annual up-rating for the tax years ending 5 April 2026 to 5 April 2029
✓GOV.UK says the changes do not affect you if you are currently getting LCWRA and have been since before 6 April 2026
1. Standard allowance increased above inflation
Section 1 of the Universal Credit Act 2025 requires the standard allowance for tax years 2026-27 to 2029-30 to be at least the previous year's amount increased by the relevant CPI percentage and then by a relevant uplift percentage. The relevant uplift percentage is 2.3% for 2026-27, 3.1% for 2027-28, 4.0% for 2028-29 and 4.8% for 2029-30. The monthly rates are:
GOV.UK says the two-child limit ended on 6 April 2026 and Universal Credit now pays the extra amount for every child, no matter how many children you have. Before 6 April 2026, the extra amount for children only applied to your first and second child, unless an exception applied.
GOV.UK says the rules on the benefit cap stay the same, and additional Universal Credit payments for each child count towards the benefit cap, so the increase may be limited if your total benefits go over the cap amounts for your circumstances.
3. New two-tier health element (LCWRA)
GOV.UK says the LCWRA extra amount is for people who have limited capability for work and work-related activity. The Universal Credit Act 2025 changed how the LCWRA element works from 6 April 2026, and GOV.UK says it is now paid at two rates, a higher rate and a lower rate.
Rate
Monthly amount
Who gets it
Higher
£429.80
You told DWP about your health condition or disability before 6 April 2026, were already getting LCWRA before then, or have a severe, lifelong condition or are nearing the end of your life (see below)
Lower
£217.26
You declare a health condition or disability on or after 6 April 2026 and none of the higher-rate groups applies to you
Section 3 of the Universal Credit Act 2025 says annual up-rating does not apply, in the tax years ending with 5 April 2026, 5 April 2027, 5 April 2028 and 5 April 2029, to the LCWRA element or the LCW element.
GOV.UK says the changes do not affect you if you are currently getting LCWRA and have been since before 6 April 2026.
Who keeps the higher (protected) rate?
The higher amount rose from £423.27 to £429.80 in April 2026. GOV.UK says you will get the higher amount if you are in one of these groups:
✓Yes: You told DWP about your health condition or a disability before 6 April 2026, whatever the date of the LCWRA decision
✓Yes: You were already getting LCWRA before 6 April 2026
✓Yes: You had the support group component of income-related ESA before 6 April 2026 and continued to get it until you claimed Universal Credit
✓Yes: You have a severe, lifelong health condition or disability, which applies no matter when you claim
✓Yes: You are nearing your end of life, which applies no matter when you claim
✓Yes: You are a claimant who is terminally ill
GOV.UK says you will get the lower amount if you declare a health condition or disability on or after 6 April 2026, you do not have a severe, lifelong health condition, you are not nearing the end of your life, and your partner, if you have one, is not entitled to the higher amount. GOV.UK says that if you live with your partner and you both have LCWRA you only get one extra monthly amount, and you get the higher amount if one of you is entitled to it.
GOV.UK says you will be treated as having a severe, lifelong health condition or disability if your condition means you cannot work, will last your whole life, will not get better and is officially diagnosed by a health professional. A health professional reviews your medical evidence as part of a Work Capability Assessment, and GOV.UK says you will not need one if you are nearing the end of your life. For the full picture of how the element works, including the Work Capability Assessment and the 3-month waiting period, see our dedicated LCWRA guide.
What you should do
If you have more than two children, check that your statement shows the extra amount for every child
If you have a health condition, check whether you told DWP about it before 6 April 2026, as that decides whether the higher amount applies
If you think you have a severe, lifelong health condition or disability, the Work Capability Assessment letter will tell you whether it was found
Report changes in your circumstances in your Universal Credit account to make sure you get the right amount
What are the main Universal Credit changes in 2026?
The Universal Credit standard allowance rose for assessment periods starting on or after 6 April 2026. GOV.UK says the two-child limit ended on 6 April 2026 and Universal Credit now pays the extra amount for every child, no matter how many children you have. The Universal Credit Act 2025 changed how the LCWRA element works from 6 April 2026, and GOV.UK says it is now paid at two rates, a higher rate and a lower rate.
Has the two-child limit been scrapped?
GOV.UK says the two-child limit ended on 6 April 2026 and Universal Credit now pays the extra amount for every child, no matter how many children you have. GOV.UK says the rules on the benefit cap stay the same, and additional Universal Credit payments for each child count towards the benefit cap, so the increase may be limited if your total benefits go over the cap amounts for your circumstances.
How much is the UC health element in 2026?
GOV.UK shows £429.80 a month at the higher rate and £217.26 a month at the lower rate. GOV.UK says you will get the lower amount if you declare a health condition or disability on or after 6 April 2026, you do not have a severe, lifelong health condition, you are not nearing the end of your life, and your partner, if you have one, is not entitled to the higher amount.
Will my Universal Credit go down in 2026?
GOV.UK says the changes do not affect you if you are currently getting LCWRA and have been since before 6 April 2026. GOV.UK says you will get the lower amount if you declare a health condition or disability on or after 6 April 2026, you do not have a severe, lifelong health condition, you are not nearing the end of your life, and your partner, if you have one, is not entitled to the higher amount.
What is the UC standard allowance for a single person over 25 in 2026?
The standard allowance for a single person aged 25 or over is £424.90 a month from 6 April 2026, up from £400.14. Section 1 of the Universal Credit Act 2025 requires the standard allowance for tax years 2026-27 to 2029-30 to be at least the previous year's amount increased by the relevant CPI percentage and then by a relevant uplift percentage.
Know Your Rights UK. "Universal Credit Changes 2026: Two-Child Limit Scrapped." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/benefits/universal-credit/changes-2026