**Universal Credit and Benefits Increase Rollout Continues into June for Some Claimants Following Delays**
A number of people relying on Universal Credit and other benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are about to see their incomes rise, after initial delays to the new payment rates. While increases to working-age and disability benefits officially came into force in early April, many recipients are only now beginning to receive the higher sums due to the standard four-week payment cycle.
Most DWP benefit payments are made in arrears, meaning that although the uplift took effect on 7 April 2025, it did not immediately translate into increased payments for all claimants. Instead, the practical impact is only appearing in subsequent payment cycles, with many beneficiaries first seeing the higher amounts in May or, in some cases, June.
However, there was some variance among different groups. State Pension recipients, who received a more substantial 4.1% rise, had the benefit of payment schedules that often operate weekly or fortnightly, allowing them to see the increases without the same delay experienced by many Universal Credit recipients.
The structure of Universal Credit payments, which assesses claimants’ eligibility monthly according to individual assessment dates, has further delayed the process for some. This means each person’s payment increase is tied directly to the end of their preceding assessment period, and some will not see the enhanced support until June.
For those relying on this crucial government assistance, the uncertainty and complexity around when the higher amounts would arrive has sparked understandable frustration and anxiety, particularly given the continuing cost of living pressures. Advocacy groups have urged clearer communication from the DWP to avoid confusion amongst claimants.
According to the DWP, the exact date when an individual receives the increase depends on their own specific assessment period. For instance, individuals whose Universal Credit assessment period ran from 28 March to 27 April 2025 saw their new payment rate applied to the first cycle in June, receiving the uplift from 1 June onwards. These staggered timelines mean that by the middle of June, most recipients should have received the updated payment amount, but those with later assessment dates might experience additional delay.
Alongside Universal Credit, several other benefits have also been adjusted for the 2025–26 period. The new standard monthly Universal Credit allowance for a single person under the age of 25 has risen to £316.98, while those aged 25 and over now receive £400.14. Couples both under 25 will see their joint monthly allowance increase to £497.55, and couples with at least one partner over 25 now get £628.10 between them.
Additional support for families includes increased rates for children: the first child born before April 2017 is now worth £339 per month, with subsequent children or those born after that date receiving £292.81. Furthermore, additional allowances for disabled children and those with limited capability for work have also risen in line with inflation as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable households.
Other elements of the Universal Credit system, such as the carer’s element for those providing at least 35 hours of care per week to a severely disabled person, have also been increased to £201.68. Adjustments have likewise been made to the work allowance, with the higher allowance (for those without housing costs) now standing at £684, while the lower allowance (for claimants with housing costs) has increased to £411.
With living costs remaining stubbornly high, even a modest increase can provide vital breathing room in household budgets, though many commentators and charities argue the rises remain insufficient to keep up with surging food, energy, and rent prices.
As payment schedules catch up with policy, the DWP has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every claimant receives their due entitlement as quickly as possible. Beneficiaries are encouraged to check their online Universal Credit accounts regularly for updated payment details and to contact their local jobcentre or benefits adviser if they have concerns about the rollout.
Financial experts also advise claimants to review their budget in light of the incoming increases, making use of the government’s online tools and resources. The changes are designed as part of an annual review intended to cushion some of the cost of living impacts affecting millions across the UK, but the path to full implementation continues to reflect the sometimes complex nature of the welfare system.