England · Scotland · Wales · Northern Ireland
Find out what benefits you can get — and how to claim them
Plain-English guidance on Universal Credit, PIP, Child Benefit, Pension Credit, carer support and more. Every rate links back to the official source.
- 2026 to 2027 rates
- Sourced from GOV.UK, DWP and HMRC
- Free, no sign-up
Key rates for 2026 to 2027
Full table on GOV.UK →Source: DWP, Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 · HMRC, Child Benefit rates · Checked 14 October 2026
Start with your situation
Choose what's happening in your life. We'll show the benefits that usually apply.
- Out of work or on a low income Help with living costs while you look for work or earn less. Universal Credit · New Style JSA
- Having a baby or raising children Money for parents, carers and guardians. Child Benefit · Maternity Allowance
- Disabled or long-term health conditions Extra costs of living with a condition, and help if you cannot work. PIP · ESA · LCW health element
- Caring for someone Support if you look after someone for 35 hours a week or more. Carer's Allowance · UC carer amount
- Retired or over State Pension age Your pension and top-ups for a low retirement income. State Pension · Pension Credit
- Rent and housing costs Help paying rent and Council Tax. UC Housing · Housing Benefit
- Ill or off work Help if you have too ill to work. Statutory Sick Pay · ESA
- Someone has died Payments for partners and help with funeral costs. Bereavement Support Payment
Quick estimates
Tools to work it out
Quick estimates to help you plan. They do not replace an official check.
For a full check, use an independent calculator listed on GOV.UK benefits calculators .
Most-read benefit guides
See all benefits A to Z →Rates and charts
See all rates →How much each benefit rose in April 2026, and the limits that still apply.
Increase from 2025/26 to 2026/27
% increase in the weekly or monthly rate
Benefit cap 2026/27 (a year)
| Household | London | Rest of GB |
|---|---|---|
| Couple, or single with a child | £25,323.00 | £22,020.00 |
| Single, no children | £16,967.00 | £14,753.00 |
PIP weekly rates
What's changed
in 2026
The rule changes most likely to affect what you get this year.
All benefit news and changes →-
Universal Credit standard allowance rises above inflation
The Universal Credit Act 2025 the standard allowance goes up by more than inflation each year until 2029 to 2030.
-
Lower health amount for most new UC claims
The LCWRA amount is £217.26 a month for most new claimants. People already getting it, and those meeting severe conditions or terminal illness criteria, get £429.80.
-
Two-child limit removed
The two-child limit in Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit can now be paid for a third or later child.
-
State Pension age starts rising to 67
The increase is phased and is due to reach 67 by 2028. Check your State Pension age.
Where you live in the UK matters
Some benefits run differently in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
England and Wales
DWP and HMRC run most benefits. Council Tax Reduction comes from your local council.
Scotland
Social Security Scotland pays disability, carer and child payments that replace some UK benefits.
Northern Ireland
The Department for Communities runs benefits. Official information is on nidirect.
Where our information comes from
Every page lists its sources and the date it was last checked.
Free, independent advice is available from Citizens Advice and Turn2us . If you disagree with a decision, you can usually ask for a mandatory reconsideration first.
Common questions about UK benefits
How do I check which benefits I can claim?
The quickest way is to use an independent benefits calculator. The government lists free, trusted calculators on GOV.UK. You can also answer a few questions on our Your situation pages to see which benefits apply to you.
What are the 2026 to 2027 benefit rates?
Most benefits rose by 3.8% from April 2026, in line with September 2025 CPI inflation. The Universal Credit standard allowance rose by 6.2% under the Universal Credit Act 2025. The full new State Pension rose by 4.8% (triple lock). The benefit cap is frozen.
Can I get Universal Credit if I work?
Yes. Universal Credit tops up wages if your household income is low enough. A work allowance lets you keep more of your UC before the 55p-in-the-pound taper kicks in — but only if you are responsible for a child or have a limited capability for work.
Is Benefits Guidance a government website?
No. Benefits Guidance is independent. We are not part of DWP, HMRC or any government body. All guidance links back to official government sources. For authoritative decisions about your claim, always contact the relevant agency directly.
What is the benefit cap and who is exempt?
The benefit cap limits the total amount most working-age households can receive in benefits each week. In 2026 to 2027 it is frozen at £442.31 a week in London (couples/families) and £332.04 elsewhere. Households where someone receives a disability or carer benefit are usually exempt.
How do I challenge a benefit decision?
You must first ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision. If that fails, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Free advice on challenging decisions is available from Citizens Advice and Shelter.