Here’s a roundup of all the benefit changes that may affect you this April:
State Pension
The government is upholding its ‘triple lock’ guarantee in 2024, which will see the State Pension increase by 8.5% in April in line with earnings. This guarantees that the State pension will rise by the highest of September’s inflation figure, earnings growth, or 2.5%. The full new State Pension rate will rise by £17.35 a week (£902.20 a year).
Weekly 2023/24
Weekly 2024/25
Annual Amount
New State Pension – Full Rate – £203.85
New State Pension – Full Rate – £221.20
New State Pension – Full Rate – £11,502.40
Basic State Pension – Full Rate – £156.20
Basic State Pension – Full Rate – £169.50
Basic State Pension – Full Rate – £8,814.00
Carer's Allowance
The weekly amount you can claim for Carer’s Allowance will remain at £76.75 a week in 2024, but the earnings threshold is increasing from £139 to £151 a week. This means that you’re able to earn more each week and still receive the full Carer’s Allowance payment.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit which you might be entitled to once you’ve reached State Pension age if your weekly income is below a certain level. It’s made up of two parts, Guaranteed Credit and Savings Credit, both of which will increase from April 2024.
If you get the Guaranteed Credit portion of Pension Credit, you’ll receive an 8.5% uplift, while those receiving the Savings Credit portion will see a 6.7% rise.
Guaranteed Credit
Weekly Rate 2023/24
Weekly Rate 2024/25
Single – £201.05
Single – £218.15
Couple – £306.85
Couple – £332.95
Savings Credit
Weekly Rate 2023/24
Weekly Rate 2024/25
Single – £15.94
Single – £17.01
Couple – £17.84
Couple – £19.04
Universal Credit
The standard allowance element of Universal Credit will increase by 6.7% from April 2024:
Monthly Rate 2023/24
Monthly Rate 2024/25
Single Under 25
£292.11
£311.68
Single 25 and Over
£368.74
£393.45
Couple – Joint claimants both under 25
£458.51
£489.23
Couple – Joint claimants one or both over 25
£578.82
£617.60
There are also further increases in several other additional elements of Universal Credit, including payments for children, disabled children and work allowances.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP has replaced the Disability Living Allowance for many people, but those still receiving DLA will receive a 6.7% increase to their payments for both the care and mobility parts:
Weekly 2023/34
Weekly 2024/25
Care Component
Highest – £101.75
Highest – £108.55
Middle – £68.10
Middle – £72.65
Lowest – £26.90
Lowest – £28.70
Mobility Component
Higher – £71.00
Higher – £75.75
Lower – £26.90
Lower – £28.70
Employment and Support Allowance
People receiving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) will receive a 6.7% uplift to their payments. Those aged 50 and over who are receiving the full allowance should receive the following increases:
Weekly 2023/24
Weekly 2024/25
Personal Allowances
Single 25 or over – £84.80
Single 25 or over – £90.50
Lone Parent 18 or over – £84.80
Lone Parent 18 or over – £90.50
Couple
Both over 18 – £133.30
Both over 18 – £142.25
Job Seeker's Allowance
For those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, whether it’s the new style, income-based or contribution-based, the amount you’ll receive will increase by 6.7% from April.
Age
JSA Weekly Amount 2023/24
JSA Weekly Amount 2024/25
Up to 24
Up to £67.20
Up to £71.70
25 or over
Up to £84.80
Up to £90.50
f you claim income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance as a couple and you’re both over the age of 18, rates will also increase by 6.7% from up to £133.30 a week to up to £142.25 a week.
