Universal Credit is set to go up from 6 April 2026, and the standard allowance rises by about 6.2% overall. That means the monthly rates are going up to £338.58 for a single person under 25, £424.90 for a single person 25 or over, £528.34 for a joint claim where both are under 25, and £666.97 for a joint claim where both are 25 or over.

Quick Scoop

For most people asking “how much is Universal Credit going up?”, the headline figure is the standard allowance increase rather than every element of the claim. The rise is described as above inflation , with the standard allowance increasing by about 6.2% from April 2026.

New monthly rates

  • Single, under 25: £338.58.
  • Single, 25 or over: £424.90.
  • Joint claim, both under 25: £528.34.
  • Joint claim, both 25 or over: £666.97.

Other changes

The health element for new claimants is also being reduced, with reporting saying it will fall to £217.26 a month for new applicants from April 2026. Other Universal Credit elements, such as housing, children, childcare, and carer support, are expected to rise in line with inflation rather than get the same extra uplift as the standard allowance.

If you want, I can also work out roughly how much extra you’d get per month based on your current Universal Credit rate.