Universal Credit claimants might not get April fee rise for months for one motive

On Mar 4, 2025

The annual increase from the Department for Work and Pensions takes effect from April for many, but the increase won’t be applied until the start of the new assessment period

16:11, 04 Mar 2025Updated 16:11, 04 Mar 2025

Millions of claimants will be impacted (stock)(Image: Getty Images)

Universal Credit claimants have been warned they might not see their April payment increase until as late as June, despite the annual increase from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) kicking in this month. The delay is down to how Universal Credit is calculated, with each person’s monthly “assessment period” taking into account things like earnings and savings.

So, the DWP’s bump won’t hit bank accounts until a new assessment period starts, meaning most won’t feel the boost until May or June. BBC Radio 4’s Money Box programme researcher Sandra Hardial flagged up the issue, saying: “The six million people on Universal Credit face the longest wait.

“The DWP has told Money Box that none of them will get the higher rate before the 14th of May and some will have to wait until the 13th of June.”

The payment hike may not come until June (stock)(Image: Getty Images)

Universal Credit includes a “standard allowance”, which varies based on age and if you’re flying solo or part of a duo.

There are extra amounts for certain situations too, like looking after kids or being off work sick.

To calculate your total payment, any additional amounts you may be eligible for are determined first, before any deductions are made. These deductions could be due to employment, savings, or debts owed to the DWP, reports Birmingham Live.

The Universal Credit standard allowance for single claimants under 25 will increase from £311.68 a month to £316.98 a month. Single claimants aged 25 or over will see their payments rise from £393.45 a month to £400.14 a month.

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Universal Credit takes a while to be calculated (stock)(Image: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Joint claimants both under 25 will see their payments increase from £489.23 a month to £497.55 a month. Meanwhile, joint claimants, where one or both are 25 or over, will see their payments go up from £617.60 a month to £628.10 a month.

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