Exact date DWP benefit claimants will get more money as 2025 increases confirmed
Millions of benefit claimants will see more money entering their bank accounts within weeks.
The annual payment increases for 2025 have been confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions. All state benefits will be going up as a result.
And the new rates will kick in from April 7, the start of the new financial year. Benefits are rising by 1.7%, based on the inflation rate for last September.
READ MORE: Full list of DWP benefit rises coming in April 2025 from Universal Credit and PIP to State Pension
READ MORE: Long-term sick will need to look for jobs and may have DWP benefits cut in major overhaul
Universal Credit for a single person over 25 will go from £393.45 a month to £400.14. A raft of other benefits will also be increasing including Housing Benefit, Income Support and Employment and Support Allowance. Universal Credit is gradually replacing a number of other benefits.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has warned of 'difficult decisions' to come ahead of DWP changes. While DWP boss Liz Kendall has warned millions of Brits 'radical' changes are coming.
The increase to rates is recognition of inflation and rising prices in the shops, and aims to help ensure claimants don't become worse off. However, it follows claims Universal Credit is not enough to live on, reports BirminghamLive.
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Despite misconceptions around state benefits, around 40% of Universal Credit claimants are actually in work but just don't earn enough to make ends meet. Research carried out by Trussell and the Joseph Roundtree Foundation (JRF) found that the standard rate of Universal Credit falls short of the weekly amount needed to pay for food, utility bills, clothing, travel, phone and internet use, and other basic costs.
JRF senior policy adviser Iain Porter said: "Many people receiving Universal Credit are working but employment doesn’t protect them from going without essentials like food, heating and vital household bills. Around two-thirds of working-age adults in poverty are in a working household.
"The basic rate of Universal Credit is not set according to any independent calculation of the cost of essentials and is currently just £91 a week. This is already inadequate to meet people’s needs but it is sometimes reduced further, such as to repay debts to the DWP."
Here's the full list of DWP benefit rises coming in April 2025. It covers Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), State Pension, Child Benefit and Attendance Allowance.