Benefits news: page 11
- April 2024
Benefits uprated by 6.7% in April 2024
Benefits rose by 6.7 per cent in April 2024 under the annual uprating, but Council Tax, water and broadband prices also increased that month, according to a living standards study.
Deadline for ending legacy benefits brought forward to March 2026
The deadline for moving remaining legacy benefit claimants to universal credit was brought forward to March 2026, with payments due to end by 31 March 2026.
Free childcare expansion to be rolled out in phases from April 2024
A £4bn expansion of free childcare, giving an extra 30 hours a week to parents of one and two year olds, will be rolled out in phases from April 2024, Toynbee Hall has said.
Household Support Fund extended to September 2024
The Household Support Fund, which pays for local food and energy help, has been extended for six months to September 2024 with an extra £500 million split between councils across the UK.
Inflation-linked benefits uprated by 6.7% and State Pension by 8.5%
Inflation-linked Department for Work and Pensions benefits rose by 6.7% in April 2024, while the basic and new State Pension increased by 8.5% for 2024/25.
LHA re-pegged to 30th percentile of local rents after four-year freeze
Local Housing Allowance was re-pegged to the 30th percentile of local rents in April 2024, four years after a freeze, cutting the share of Universal Credit families whose housing costs were not fully covered.
Local Housing Allowance freeze to be lifted
Local Housing Allowance maximum amounts were raised to the 30th percentile of local market rents from April 2024, ending a freeze on rates that had been in place since 2020.
Local Housing Allowance unfrozen and raised to 30th percentile of rents
Local Housing Allowance has been unfrozen and raised to the 30th percentile of rents, the Autumn Statement confirmed, alongside benefit uprating of 6.7% and state pension uprating of 8.5% from April 2024.
Managed migration opens to Tax Credits claimants with Housing Benefit
Tax Credit claimants who also receive Housing Benefit began receiving Universal Credit migration notices from April 2024, the first group in a wider timetable that runs through to 2028/29.
PAWHP to replace Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland from winter 2024/25
The Scottish Government is replacing the UK Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland with Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland, with payments due from winter 2024/25.
Regulations amended for migration of tax credit claimants to universal credit
Regulations amending tax credit income rules and universal credit payment provisions took effect from 6 April 2024, as part of the managed migration of tax credit claimants to universal credit.
Statutory maternity and parental pay rates set at £184.03 weekly from April 2024
Statutory maternity and parental pay rose to £184.03 a week from April 2024, as a survey of 1,039 mothers found money worries and debt rising during maternity leave.
New Style JSA payment rates for April 2024 to March 2025
New Style Jobseeker's Allowance pays up to £71.70 a week for under 25s and up to £90.50 a week for those aged 25 or over from April 2024 to March 2025, according to Mencap.
Third £299 means-tested cost of living payment due in spring 2024
The final instalment of the £900 means-tested cost of living payment, worth £299, is due to be paid by spring 2024, following two earlier payments in 2023.
Universal Credit surplus earnings threshold of £2,500 extended for another year
The £2,500 surplus earnings threshold for Universal Credit will be extended for another year until at least April 2025, instead of falling to £300 as previously planned.
Working age benefits to be uprated by September CPI of 6.7%
Working age benefits will rise by 6.7% from April 2024, the September CPI rate, while pension age benefits rise by 8.5% under the triple lock and the Local Housing Allowance freeze ends.
- March 2024
Universal Credit managed migration letters under way with end-2024 target
The government is sending Migration Notice letters to households still on legacy benefits, telling them to claim Universal Credit by the deadline on the letter or lose their payments.
Consultation announced on household-based child benefit charge
Jeremy Hunt has announced a consultation on moving the high income child benefit charge to a household-based system by April 2026, alongside a rise in the individual earnings thresholds from April 2024.
Spring Budget 2024 announces changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge thresholds
Jeremy Hunt's Spring Budget raised the income threshold at which the High Income Child Benefit Charge starts, from £50,000 to £60,000, and the point at which Child Benefit is fully clawed back, from £60,000 to £80,000.
Pension credit application deadline for final cost of living payment
Nearly 880,000 households could receive the final £299 cost of living payment if they apply for pension credit by Tuesday 5 March 2024, the Department for Work and Pensions has said.
Cost of living schemes other than the three main Cost of Living Payments discontinued in FYE 2024
The Office for National Statistics says cost of living schemes including the Energy Support Scheme, Council Tax rebates and the Alternative Fuel Payment ended in the financial year ending 2024, while three payments continued.
HICBC threshold raised and taper halved at 2024 Spring Budget
The 2024 Spring Budget raised the High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold from £50,000 to £60,000 and halved the taper, so entitlement is now fully withdrawn at £80,000 a year.
Universal Credit surplus earnings threshold extension ends
The £2,500 surplus earnings threshold in Universal Credit, above which excess earnings can be carried into a later assessment period, was extended until March 2024, after which the higher limit lapses.
- February 2024
NAO reports on progress in implementing Universal Credit
The National Audit Office says the Department for Work and Pensions is on track to move most legacy benefit claimants to Universal Credit by the end of 2024, but has extended the timetable and raised costs.
Amendment regulations widen Best Start Foods eligibility
Amendment regulations in force from 26 February 2024 removed income thresholds from some qualifying benefits for Best Start Foods and added Working Tax Credit as a qualifying benefit in its own right.
Best Start Foods amendment regulations come into force in Scotland
Scottish regulations amending Best Start Foods came into force on 26 February 2024, setting the basic weekly rate at £4.95 and widening eligibility to partners, dependants and children under three.
Best Start Foods eligibility changes come into force
Best Start Foods eligibility rules change on 26 February 2024, removing income limits, extending help to younger parents and altering how applications and payments are handled in Scotland.
Best Start Foods income limit removed
The income limit for Best Start Foods was removed in February 2024, widening eligibility for the Scottish benefit that helps with the cost of healthy food during pregnancy and early childhood.
Cost of living schemes discontinued in FYE 2024
The Energy Support Scheme, Council Tax rebate schemes in Great Britain and the Alternative Fuel Payment ended in the financial year ending 2024, while three Cost of Living Payments continued, official figures show.
Final £299 cost of living payment sent to means-tested benefits claimants
The final £299 cost of living payment was sent to around eight million means-tested benefits claimants between 6 and 22 February 2024, completing a £900 package.