when does universal credit go up 2026
Universal Credit went up on 6 April 2026, with the new rates generally paid from the first assessment period starting on or after that date. For many claimants, that means the increase showed up in payments around June rather than immediately in April.
What changed
- The standard allowance increased from 6 April 2026.
- Turn2us says the main uplift was 2.3% to the standard allowance, while some claimants also saw broader 2026 benefit changes take effect from the same date.
- Citizens Advice confirms the Universal Credit changes applied from 6 April 2026.
Typical timing
- Officially: 6 April 2026.
- Paid to you: when your assessment period started on or after 7 April, which for some people meant the higher amount was not paid until around June.
New standard amounts
| Claim type | Old monthly rate | New monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single, under 25 | £316.98 | £338.58 |
| Single, 25 or over | £400.14 | £424.90 |
| Joint claim, both under 25 | £497.55 | £528.34 |
| Joint claim, one or both 25 or over | £628.10 | £666.97 |
Useful note
If you want to know exactly when your own payment changed, the key date is your assessment period start date, not just the 6 April headline date.
TL;DR: Universal Credit went up from 6 April 2026, but many claimants first saw the higher payment in the assessment period after that date, often around June.