Social security benefits uprated by 3.8%

Social security benefits across the UK will increase by 3.8% from April 2026, according to the benefit changes timetable published by Turn2us, an independent charity¹. The same timetable states that the New and Basic State Pension will rise by 4.8%¹.

The 3.8% uprating applies to social security benefits across the UK¹. The state pension increase is set at 4.8%¹. Turn2us lists both under its April 2026 entry, alongside changes to Universal Credit¹.

Universal Credit standard allowances rise from April 2026 as follows¹:

Two further Universal Credit changes take effect from April 2026. The two-child limit will be removed, meaning families with three or more children receive an extra child element payment for each additional child¹. New claimants of Universal Credit who get LCWRA will not get the full £94 per week and will instead get £50¹.

The National Living Wage rises by 4.1%, from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour¹. The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds increases by 8.5%, from £10.00 to £10.85 per hour, and for 16 to 17-year-olds and apprentices by 6%, from £7.55 to £8.00 per hour¹.

Why it matters for households

The 3.8% uprating sets the rate at which working-age benefits are paid from April 2026, while the state pension rises by 4.8%¹. For Universal Credit claimants, the standard allowance figures above show the monthly amounts before and after the change¹.

Two groups face a different position. Families with three or more children gain an extra child element for each additional child once the two-child limit is removed¹. New Universal Credit claimants who get LCWRA receive £50 per week rather than the full £94¹.

Legacy benefits end on 31 March 2026, with no further payments made¹. The timetable also notes that extra taxes will be added to cars leased through the Motability Scheme from July 2026, along with restrictions on certain car brands¹.

What happens next

In September 2026, the deadline to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment 2026 scheme falls on 20 September¹. The Government's report on Young People and Work is due to be published, and is expected to include a decision on restricting access to the Universal Credit health element for people under 22¹.

In October 2026, the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment is expected to be published, outlining future changes to PIP¹. The Warm Home Discount scheme opens for applications in England, Scotland and Wales¹.

In November 2026, eligible pensioners across the UK begin to receive their Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment¹. The Cold Weather Payment 2026 scheme opens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and in Scotland the Winter Heating Payment and Child Winter Heating Payment are paid to eligible households¹.