Work Capability Assessment to be replaced
Plans to scrap the Work Capability Assessment and move to a single assessment. Timing depends on the PIP review.
UPDATED 14 OCTOBER 2026
What's changed in benefits
Every rate rise, rule change and review that affects UK benefits — what it means, who it affects, and whether it's already happening or still a plan.
- In effect
- Coming up
- Under review
- Proposed
Since April 2026, at a glance
DWP rates 2026 to 2027+3.8%
Most benefits including PIP, Carer's Allowance and Carer's Allowance
+4.8%
State Pension and Pension Credit — the triple lock
+6.2%
Universal Credit standard allowance
0%
Benefit cap, frozen (0% increase)
£217.26
UC health amount for most new claims, a month
All changes
No date yet
UC health amount for under-22s
The government has said it will consider restricting the health amount for people under 22, after a review of young people and work.
April 2027
Next yearly rate rise
New rates for 2027 to 2028 are usually announced in the autumn and start in April. We will add them once they are confirmed.
Autumn 2026
Timms review of PIP: final report due
A government review of PIP's purpose, eligibility and assessment. Nothing changes until the government responds.
June 2026
Health assessments are recorded
Universal Credit and ESA health assessments are now audio-recorded by default.
May 2026
State Pension age starts rising to 67
The increase is phased in by date of birth and is due to reach 67 by 2028.
April 2026
'Right to try' work
Starting voluntary work no longer counts on its own as a reason to reassess your health-related benefits.
Longer PIP awards
New PIP awards for people 25 and over generally run for longer before a review. DWP has since extended many existing fixed-term awards.
Benefit cap frozen again
The cap stays at £22,020 a year for couples or families outside London and £25,323 in London.
New two-child limit
Families can now get the Universal Credit child amount for a third or later child, at £303.94 a month each.
Two rates for the UC health amount
Most new claims get £217.26 a month for limited capability for work and work-related activity. Existing claims, severe conditions and terminal illness get £429.80.
Universal Credit standard allowance rises above inflation
Single people 25 or over now get £424.90 a month, up 6.2%. The Universal Credit Act 2025 sets above-inflation rises until 2029 to 2030.
State Pension up 4.8% under the triple lock
The full new State Pension is now £230.25 a week, up from £220.25.
Most benefits rise by 3.8%
PIP, Carer's Allowance, Attendance Allowance, ESA, JSA, Child Benefit and others went up in line with inflation.
Rates before and after April 2026
Main rates for 2025 to 2026 compared with 2026 to 2027.
| Benefit | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Credit standard allowance (single, 25+) a month | £400.14 | £424.90 | |
| New State Pension, full rate a week | £220.25 | £230.25 | |
| Pension Credit guarantee (single) a week | £227.10 | £238.00 | |
| PIP daily living, enhanced a week | £104.56 | £108.55 | |
| Carer's Allowance a week | £83.30 | £86.45 | |
| Child Benefit, oldest child a week | £26.05 | £27.05 | |
| UC health amount, most new claims a month | £416.19 | £217.26 | |
| Benefit cap, family outside London a year | £22,020.00 | £22,020.00 |
Source: DWP Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027; HMRC Child Benefit rates. The UC health amount for existing claims rose by 1% to £429.80. Most new rates start 2027/30.
Common questions about benefit changes
When did benefit rates change in 2026?
Most benefit rates changed on 6 April 2026, the start of the 2026 to 2027 tax year. Universal Credit standard allowances rose by 6.2% under the Universal Credit Act 2025. Most other benefits rose by 3.8% in line with September 2025 CPI. State Pension rose by 4.8% under the triple lock.
Why did the benefit cap not change this year?
The government chose to freeze the benefit cap for 2026 to 2027. The cap has been frozen since April 2023. Because other benefit rates rose by 3.8%, a household that was previously just below the cap may now hit it. The cap levels are £442.31 a week in Greater London and £332.04 elsewhere (couples and single parents).
What changed with the two-child limit?
From April 2026, the two-child limit in Universal Credit was removed. Families can now receive a child element for a third or subsequent child born at any time. The standard child element is £303.94 a month per child from April 2026.
What is the triple lock and how does it affect my State Pension?
The triple lock guarantees the State Pension rises each April by whichever is highest: earnings growth, CPI inflation or 2.5%. In 2026, the winning figure was earnings at 4.8%. The full new State Pension rose from £221.20 to £230.25 a week.
When will 2027 to 2028 rates be announced?
New benefit rates are usually announced in the autumn following the Budget, with implementation from the first Monday in April. The Autumn Budget 2026 is on 28 October. We will update all rate pages within 24 hours of the official announcement.