Here's how much key benefits - from universal credit to state pension - are rising in 2026

Millions of benefits and state pension claimants will see their payments increase this year.

Benefits linked to inflation are set to rise by 3.8% from April, while others will get a 2.3% boost. Find tips and consumer news in the Money blog Both the basic and new state pensions will rise by 4.8%.

But what does all of that mean for the amount that will land in your account? Here we break down the new weekly payments for some of the most common benefits, as confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions. Universal credit This is a means-tested benefit for people who are on low incomes or unemployed, so the amount you receive is based on your household income, savings and specific circumstances.

It is paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland. If you think you might be eligible to claim, but aren't already doing so, there is more information here.

From April, the rates will be: £338.58 a month for single people under the age of 25 - up from £316.98£424.90 per month for single people aged 25 and over - up from £400.14£528.34 per month for joint claimants both aged under 25 - up from £497.50£666.97 per month for joint claimants both aged 25 and over - up from £628.10The end of the two-child benefit cap in April will also mean parents with more than two children and claiming universal credit will be able to claim an extra amount for any subsequent children. The new additional amount under the child element of universal credit will go from £339 to £351.88 for a first-born child born before 6 April 2017, and from £292.81 to £303.94 for any other children.

Attendance allowance This is a benefit for people who are state pension age or older and need help with personal care due to a disability or health condition. It isn't means-tested, but the amount you receive does depend on the level of care you need.

The new rates will be: £114.60 per week for the higher rate - up from £110.40£76.70 per week for the lower rate - up from £73.90Carer's allowance This is the main benefit for people who care for someone with an illness or disability for at least 35 hours a week. The new rate will be: £86.45 a week - up from £83.30Carers receiving Universal Credit will also see the "carer element" of that benefit rise from £201.68 to £209.34 a week.

Disability living allowance This provides extra money for children under the age of 16 with significant care needs due to a disability. The amount you receive is based on the level of care needed.

The new rates are: £114.60 a week for the highest rate - up from £110.40£76.70 a week for the middle rate - up from £73.90£30.30 a week for the lowest rate - up from £29.20 Housing benefit Housing benefit can help you pay your rent if you're unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It's being replaced by Universal Credit.

You can only make a new claim if you are of state pension age or in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. The new rates are: £75.65 a week for a single person under the age of 25 or a lone parent under the age of 18 - up from £72.90£95.55 a week for a single person over the age of 25 or a lone parent over the age of 18 - up from £92.05£114.35 a week for a couple who are both under the age of 18 - up from £110.15£150.15 a week for a couple where one or both are over the age of 18 - up from £144.65£256 a week for a single person of state pension age or over - up from £244.40£383.35 a week for a couple of state pension age or older - up from £366Read more:All the benefits, discounts and freebies for pensioners'My husband died before getting his state pension.

Am I entitled to any of it?'Industry sounds new alarm over ISA reforms Jobseeker's allowance This benefit can be claimed by unemployed people actively looking for work. There are two types of jobseeker's allowance, contribution-based JSA and income-based JSA, but this one is being replaced by Universal Credit.

The new rates for contribution-based JSA: £75.65 a week for under 25s - up from £72.90£95.55 a week for over 25s - up from £92.05Pension credit This is a means-tested benefit that gives people over state pension age on low incomes extra money. The standard minimum amount will be: £238 a week for a single person - up from £227.10£363.25 a week for a couple - up from £346.60The additional amount for those with severe disabilities will be: £86.05 a week for a single person - up from £82.90£86.05 a week for a couple with one person who qualifies - up from £82.90£172.10 a week for a couple where both qualify - up from £165.80 Personal independence payment (PIP) This benefit is given to people to help with extra living costs if they have a long-term condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition.

There are two components - daily living and mobility. The new rates for the daily living component are: £114.60 a week for enhanced needs - up from £110.40£76.70 a week for standard needs - up from £73.90The new rates for the mobility component are: £80 a week for enhanced needs - up from £77.05£30.30 a week for standard needs - up from £29.20State pension To get the state pension, you need to be of pension age and have made at least 10 years of national insurance contributions.

To get the full amount, you need to have made 35 years of contributions. There are two types - the old state pension and the new state pension - you can read more about why that is and what it means here.

Here are the new rates: £241.30 a week for the full rate of the new state pension - up from £230.25£184.90 a week for the basic old state pension - up from £176.45.