Universal Credit payments are going up – but many parents won’t see the rise until May
April’s 1.7% UC increase is official, but here’s why it might not show up in your account just yet
If you were expecting a little extra help from Universal Credit this April and didn’t spot any difference in your payment – you’re not alone.
Despite a confirmed 1.7% increase in Universal Credit, Child Benefit and PIP rates from 7 April 2025, many parents are still waiting to see the uplift in their bank account.
The good news? The increase is real. The not-so-good news? Thanks to how Universal Credit is calculated, most families won’t see the higher payment until May.
Why haven’t I seen the extra money yet?
The delay comes down to how Universal Credit is assessed.
Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears and based on your “assessment period” – a rolling month where the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) looks at your earnings, deductions and eligibility.
So if your assessment period started before 7 April, your April payment still reflects the old rate. Only payments calculated from assessment periods that begin on or after 7 April 2025 will include the new, higher amounts.
In short: you’ll likely see the increase in your May UC payment.
What are the new Universal Credit amounts for families?
Once your assessment period ticks over into April’s updated rates, here’s what you can expect:
Single parent (25+) with one child (born after 6 April 2017)
- Old rate: £681.37
- New rate: £692.95
- Increase: £11.58 per month
A couple (at least one aged 25+) with two children (born after 6 April 2017)
- Old rate: £1,193.44
- New rate: £1,213.72
- Increase: £20.28 per month
Single parent (25+) with limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA)
- Old rate: £809.64
- New rate: £823.41
- Increase: £13.77 per month
Single adult (25+) with no children
- Old rate: £393.45
- New rate: £400.14
- Increase: £6.69 per month
These examples reflect combinations of the monthly standard allowance with child and health-related elements, and they align with official 2025 government rates.
Do I need to apply to get the increase?
No – the 1.7% increase is applied automatically to your payment, based on your usual assessment cycle. It will appear in your statement when your April-starting assessment period ends and your next payment is due.
If you're unsure when your assessment period starts, log in to your Universal Credit account or speak to your work coach.
What about Child Benefit?
Child Benefit has also increased from 7 April 2025. Parents now receive:
- £26.05 per week (£1,354.60 a year) for their first or only child
- £17.25 per week (£897 a year) for each additional child
Payments are made every four weeks, which means you’ll get £104.20 for one child and £69.00 for each additional child per payment cycle.
To check what you should be receiving, try the official GOV.UK benefits calculator – it’s quick, free and tailored to your circumstances, or you can use free online calculators like Turn2us or Entitledto. These are especially useful if you’ve had recent changes to your household, like a new baby, moving home, or returning to work.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.