Check how Universal Credit is changing in 2026

This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales

Updated: 1 December 2025

The government have announced changes to Universal Credit that will affect everyone from April 2026. This is the result of the ‘Universal Credit Act 2025’.

The amount of Universal Credit you get will change. This is because the Universal Credit 'standard allowance' is increasing. A monthly Universal Credit payment is made up of a standard allowance plus any additional amounts you might get based on your circumstances.

You might also be affected by the April 2026 changes if you get the additional amount because you have a long-term health condition or a disability. This payment is called the 'limited capability for work-related activity' (LCWRA) element. The amount is decreasing for most people who aren’t already getting it.

If you get any other benefits, they will not be affected by the Universal Credit Act - the changes only apply to Universal Credit. For example, if you get Adult Disability Payment, it will not be affected by these changes.

Check how the Universal Credit ‘standard allowance’ is changing

Everyone’s Universal Credit includes a ‘standard allowance’. How much you get depends on your age and if you live with a partner.

The standard amount will increase for everyone in April 2026.

Your circumstances Standard amount before 6 April 2026 Standard amount from 6 April 2026
Your circumstances

Single and under 25
Standard amount before 6 April 2026

£316.98 a month
Standard amount from 6 April 2026

£338.58 a month
Your circumstances

Single and 25 or over
Standard amount before 6 April 2026

£400.14 a month
Standard amount from 6 April 2026

£424.90 a month
Your circumstances

Living with a partner and both under 25
Standard amount before 6 April 2026

£497.55 a month
Standard amount from 6 April 2026

£528.34 a month
Your circumstances

Living with a partner and one or both over 25

Standard amount before 6 April 2026

£628.10 a month
Standard amount from 6 April 2026

£666.97 a month

If you have a long-term health condition or a disability

You might get an additional payment with your Universal Credit called the 'limited capability for work-related activity' (LCWRA) element. This is £423.27 extra each month, but the amount will be smaller for most people who start getting it on, or after, 6 April 2026 - it will be £217.26 a month.

Report your health condition as soon as possible

If you’re eligible for the LCWRA element with Universal Credit, there’s usually a 3-month wait before you start getting it. You should apply as soon as possible because if you start getting it before 6 April 2026, you’ll keep getting the current higher LCWRA rate.

Your last chance to report your health condition will be a date between 6 December 2025 and 5 January 2026. It depends on your situation.

If you already get the LCWRA element, you don’t need to do anything. The amount you get will not go down because of the April 2026 changes.

If you’re thinking of applying for Universal Credit

You should apply before 6 January 2026 so you get the higher amount. This is because there's usually a 3-month wait period before you start getting the LCWRA element. Make sure you tell the DWP about your disability or health condition in your application.

Check what you need to do to get Universal Credit if you have a long-term health condition, disability or sickness.

If you’re already claiming benefits

Universal Credit is gradually replacing:

  • Housing Benefit

  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

  • Income Support

If you get one of these, you should have got a letter telling you to claim Universal Credit. This is a ‘migration notice’. If you’ve received one, you should apply for Universal Credit.

Talk to an adviser if you haven't received a migration notice.

If you get Universal Credit but don’t have ‘limited capability for work and work-related activity’ (LCWRA)

You might get more Universal Credit if you have difficulty working because you’re sick, are disabled or have a long-term health condition.

The DWP might say you have either:

  • 'limited capability for work' (LCW)

  • 'limited capability for work-related activity' (LCWRA)

You usually will not get any extra money for LCW. If you get LCW and your condition has become worse, you might get LCWRA instead. Talk to an adviser to check if you might be able to get LCWRA with your Universal Credit.

If the DWP say you have LCWRA, you will get the LCWRA element with your Universal Credit after 3 months. This is an extra £423.27 each month. If you start getting it before 6 April 2026, you’ll keep getting the higher rate. If you start getting it after this date, you’ll usually get less - this will be £217.26 a month.

To get the higher amount, you must tell the DWP that you have difficulty working because you’re disabled, are sick or have a long-term health condition. You should do this as soon as possible. This is because there’s usually a 3-month wait period before you start getting the extra amount. If you start getting the extra amount before 6 April 2026, you’ll keep getting the current higher LCWRA rate.

Exactly when you need to report your health condition before depends on your situation, but it will be a date between 6 December 2025 and 5 January 2026. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of getting the current higher rate if you get LCWRA. Talk to an adviser if you need help understanding when you need to apply by.

You can tell the DWP on your online account or by calling the Universal Credit helpline.

Check how to tell the DWP you have a long-term health condition, disability or sickness while getting Universal Credit.

If you already get a ‘limited capability for work and work-related activity’ (LCWRA) payment

You don’t need to do anything.

The amount you get will not go down because of the April 2026 changes. You will not get less than you do now. The current LCWRA element amount is £423.27 each month

You'll keep getting the higher rate if you're reassessed for LCWRA in the future, as long as:

  • the DWP confirm you still have LCWRA

  • you've been continuously getting the higher rate since before 6 April 2026

Page last reviewed on 26 August 2025