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THE DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS INCREASED UNIVERSAL CREDIT BENEFIT RATES IN APRIL THIS YEAR BUT MANY CLAIMANTS WILL ACTUALLY SEE A RISE IN PAYMENTS IN JUNE 11:50, 02 Jun 2025Updated
11:51, 02 Jun 2025 Many people receiving Universal Credit from the Government are set to see more money in the bank accounts from June. The payment rise will take place as the DWP's
annual benefit increase will kick in. Universal Credit payments rose by 1.7% from April 7, 2025. However, this benefit is paid monthly in arrears, so most people will not receive their first
higher rate until this month. The higher rates only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that started on or after April 7. Your assessment period is used to calculate how much
Universal Credit you get, based on earnings or deductions in this period. Universal Credit payments are paid a week after the last date of each assessment period. It means if your last
assessment period started on April 7, you will get the higher payments from this week. Some people would have received their first higher payment at the end of May, reports the Mirror.
Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance which is based on your age and if you’re claiming as a single person, or in a couple. The standard allowance is the basic amount you get
before any additional elements - for example, if you have children or are unable to work due to illness - or any deductions are taken into account. Below is a summary of how much the
Universal Credit standard allowance has risen by. Article continues below UNIVERSAL CREDIT STANDARD ALLOWANCE INCREASES * Single under 25: from £311.68 a month to £316.98 a month * Single 25
or over: from £393.45 a month to £400.14 a month * Joint claimants both under 25: from £489.23 a month to £497.55 a month * Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: from £617.60 a month to
£628.10 a month Universal Credit is replacing six older legacy benefits, including Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related
Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit. Existing claims for Tax Credits, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit have now been closed - but
households claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) still need to be moved to Universal Credit. The aim is for all remaining ESA claimants to be contacted by September
2025. The DWP wants everyone moved to Universal Credit by March 2026. Meanwhile, the benefits department has recently started prompting Universal Credit claimants to confirm if they've
had a change in circumstances. If you claim Universal Credit, then it is your responsibility to report any change in circumstances to the DWP. Article continues below This can include
changes at work, if you’ve moved address, or your living arrangements have changed. If you don't report a change that affects your Universal Credit, you could receive too much or too
little money, which you may need to pay back. More details about Universal Credit can be found here. The Government page explains all the rules, including eligibility criteria.