Benefits news: page 3
- April 2026
LHA rates frozen for 2026 to 2027
Local Housing Allowance rates used to work out housing support for private renters will stay at their 2025 to 2026 levels for the year from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Non dependant deduction rates from April 2026
Shelter has published the weekly housing benefit deductions councils can take from claimants who share a home with other adults, ranging from £20.40 to £131.45 from April 2026.
Pension Age Disability Payment fully rolled out in Scotland as replacement for Attendance Allowance
Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced Attendance Allowance in Scotland, with awards transferred automatically from the Department for Work and Pensions to Social Security Scotland.
New PIP award durations take effect for people aged 25 or over
Most new PIP awards to people aged 25 or over are now for four years with a review after three, and the same durations apply to existing claims from 16 June 2026.
PIP and DLA rates up-rated from April 2026
The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 raises Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance weekly rates from April, with the daily living enhanced rate reaching £114.60.
Scottish income limit for free school meals takes effect from 1st April 2026
The household income limit for Universal Credit claimants applying for free school meals in Scotland rises to £11,940 a year, or £995 a month, from 1st April 2026.
SDP transitional element rates set from April 2026
The SDP transitional element rates paid to some Universal Credit claimants who moved from legacy benefits will be £148.82, £353.44 or £502.27 a month from April 2026.
ShPP rate and earnings threshold set for April 2026 to April 2027
Statutory Shared Parental Pay will be £194.32 a week or 90% of average earnings, whichever is lower, with a £129 weekly earnings test, for April 2026 to April 2027.
Social security benefits uprated by 3.8%
Social security benefits across the UK rise by 3.8% from April 2026, alongside a 4.8% state pension increase, Universal Credit changes and the end of legacy benefits.
State Pension age begins rising from 66 to 67
The State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 on a phased basis between April 2026 and March 2028, with the exact date set by date of birth.
Surplus earnings figures for 2026/27 set out
Turn2us has published the Universal Credit element amounts, work allowances and thresholds used to calculate surplus earnings for 2026/27, setting out how earlier months of earnings can reduce or stop payments.
Third party deduction amounts change from April 2026
Third party deductions from universal credit, taken to repay energy, water and council tax debts, are set at new monthly amounts from April 2026, ranging from £17 to £33 depending on age and household type.
UC Health support for new claimants to halve from April 2026
New Universal Credit health claimants will receive £54 a week from April 2026, half the £105 a week paid to people with the same condition in March 2026, the Work and Pensions Committee has said.
Uprated council tax reduction figures apply from schemes beginning on or after 1 April 2026
Welsh ministers have laid regulations uprating council tax reduction figures and adding new disregards, applying to council tax reduction schemes made for financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2026.
Warm Home Discount scheme proposed to continue from 2026/27 to 2030/31
The government has proposed continuing the Warm Home Discount for five more years from winter 2026 to 2027, with options for Scotland including automatic data matching.
- March 2026
Legacy benefits end as managed migration completes
Legacy benefits ended on 31 March 2026 after the managed migration process to Universal Credit was completed, with claims closed and claimants invited to apply for the newer benefit.
Current Warm Home Discount regulations end on 31 March 2026
The regulations underpinning the Warm Home Discount end on 31 March 2026, and replacement rules for England and Wales have been made to run the scheme to 2031.
Scottish social security up-rating regulations made
The Scottish Ministers have made two sets of regulations uprating Scottish social security payments, including Scottish child payment, disability and carer benefits, with most increases taking effect from 6 April 2026.
GB consequential regulations made and laid
The Social Security (Removal of Two Child Limit) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026 were made and laid before Parliament on 19 March 2026, coming into force on 6 April 2026.
Timms Review call for evidence launched
The Timms Review steering group opened a ten-week call for evidence on Personal Independence Payment on 19 March 2026, inviting views on the role and purpose of PIP, assessment, decision-making and the claimant experience.
Royal Assent granted to the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill
The Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 18 March 2026, removing the two child limit on the child element for assessment periods starting on or after 6 April 2026.
Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 made
The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026, made on 2 March 2026, raises state pensions and benefits and sets new statutory pay rates, with most changes taking effect in April 2026.
Break and bereavement improvements to Carer Support Payment introduced
Social Security Scotland has confirmed that Carer Support Payment changes introduced in March 2026 removed the set caring period for temporary breaks and extended bereavement support to 12 weeks.
Broader Group application process in Scotland proposed for replacement by data matching from winter 2026/27
Consumer Scotland has backed replacing the application-based Broader Group in Scotland with automatic data matching from winter 2026/27, warning that some previous recipients could lose the Warm Home Discount.
DWP launches Timms Review into PIP
The Department for Work and Pensions launched the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment in March 2026, covering its purpose, eligibility and the claiming experience, with evidence closing on 28 May 2026.
ESA caseload falls 39% as claimants move to Universal Credit
Employment and Support Allowance claimants fell 39.0% to 810,000 between February 2025 and March 2026, as the Department for Work and Pensions reported the move to Universal Credit is close to being complete.
Government announces £53m support for heating oil customers in vulnerable situations
The government announced £53m in March 2026 to help heating oil customers in vulnerable situations, with support delivered differently in each UK nation and a £9,000 heat pump grant opening in July.
Household Support Fund extended to end of March 2026
The Household Support Fund, a government-funded cost-of-living scheme run by local councils, is running until the end of March 2026 after being extended in the Spring Budget.
Housing Benefit claims fall 23.2% to 1.4 million
Housing Benefit claims fell 23.2 per cent to 1.4 million between February 2025 and March 2026, as the Department for Work and Pensions moves working age claimants onto Universal Credit.
Legacy benefit payments due to end by 31 March 2026
The remaining legacy benefits are due to end by 31 March 2026, with claimants told to move to universal credit by the deadline in their migration letter or see payments stop.