The exact amount you'll get in Universal Credit, child benefit, and statutory maternity pay after this month's increase
Joanna Lovell
Associate EditorMany benefits were increased this week (10 April) including Universal Credit, Maternity Pay and Child Benefit … here's what you can expect to get
In a bid to keep up with inflation, the Government has increased many benefits by 10.1% from April 10, meaning that millions of families will get a welcome boost to their monthly payments.
Check below to see if you will be a bit better off from this week onwards:
Universal Credit Standard allowance increase per month
- For individuals who are single and under 25, the standard UC payment has increased from £265.31 to £292.11
- For those single but aged 25 or over, the standard UC amount has gone up from £334.91 to £368.74
- For joint claimants who are both under 25, the standard allowance has increased from £416.45 to £458.51
- For joint claims where one or both claimants are 25 or over, the payments have increased from £525.72 to £578.82
Extra payouts if you have children
- If your first child was born before April 6, 2017, your payment will increase from £290 to £315
- If your first child was born on or after April 6, 2017 or you have a second child and subsequent children, the extra payment has increased from £244.58 to £269.58
- If you have a disabled child, the lower rate addition payment has gone up from £132.89 to £146.31, while the higher rate has increased from £414.88 to £456.89
Extra amounts if you have limited capability for work
- If you are deemed to have limited capability for work, the extra amount has increased from £132.89 to £146.31
- For those deemed to have limited capability for work or work-related activity, the extra amount has gone from £354.28 to £390.06
Extra amounts if you are a carer
- If you are on Universal Credit and caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week, the extra payment has gone up from £168.81 to £185.86.
Maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay
- If you take time off for maternity, paternity, or shared parental leave, the statutory rates have risen from £156.66 to £172.48.
- Parental bereavement pay has also increased by the same amount.
Maternity allowance
If you are a new mum who doesn't qualify for standard maternity pay, you can still claim Maternity Allowance. This has increased from April 10, from £156.66 a week to £172.48 a week.
The new and increased Child Benefit payment rates will be paid to families from April 10, 2023, which is good news for families when a lot of bills seem to be rising. (See our update about reapplying for Child Benefit to ensure you don't lose it.)
Child Benefit is a payment made to people who are responsible for bringing up a child aged below 16 or a young person under 20, if they are still in full-time education or on certain approved training courses.
- Check our Family Benefits and Entitlements hub for details of all the benefits you may be able to claim.
- All the benefits payment dates – including child benefit – for Easter 2023
Child Benefits
Child Benefit payment rates for 2023/24
There are two Child Benefit rates in place.
Current/old rates per week
- Eldest or only child - £21.80
- Additional children - £14.45
New rates per week - from 10 April 2023
- Eldest or only child - £24.00
- Additional children - £15.90
How much is the increase?
This is an increase of £2.20 and £1.45 respectively per week and means the new, regular four-weekly payments will be £96.00 for an eldest or only child (an increase of £8.80) and £63.60 for any additional children (an increase of £7.60).
Over the next financial year, this means parents will receive an additional £114.40 and £75.40 respectively.
Guardian's Allowance rates from April 2023
The new weekly rate for Guardian's Allowance will be £20.40 - an increase of £1.85 on the current 2022/23 rate of £18.55.
This is also paid every four weeks, which means payments will rise from £74.20 to £81.60.
How is Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance paid?
The payments come through every four weeks on a Monday or a Tuesday and the claimant will also be awarded National Insurance credits which can count towards their State Pension.
There is no limit on how many children can be claimed for, but only one person can receive Child Benefit.
Working tax credit
This is also rising by 10.1%.
According to officials, this means, for example, that the basic element of working tax credit will increase from £2,070 to £2,280 per year.
Other benefits increasing
Here's a list of other benefits increasing by 10.1% from April 2023. We'll update this list as more information is released:
- Income Support
- Jobseekers Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Carer Premium
This is a guide only. For accurate and up to date benefit rates, check Gov.uk.
Read more about benefits and allowances
