Check how Universal Credit is changing in 2026

The government have announced changes to Universal Credit that will affect everyone from April 2026. These changes are the result of the Universal Credit Act 2025 and the November 2025 budget.

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.

The government are also planning to remove the 2 child limit for Universal Credit from April 2026. This means you might get more Universal Credit if you’re responsible for 3 or more children.

You might also be affected by the April 2026 changes if you get an 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 - the changes only apply to Universal Credit. For example, if you get Personal Independence Payment (PIP), 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.

If you have 3 or more children

If you claim Universal Credit, you can get an extra amount for any children or qualifying young people you’re responsible for. This extra money is called the ‘child element’.

Under the current rules, you can only usually claim a child element for your first 2 children. To claim for any more children, they usually must have been born before 6 April 2017.

The government are planning to remove this 2 child limit from April 2026. This means you might be able to get a child element for each child, including if you have 3 or more. This will depend on your circumstances.

The government haven’t confirmed how this change will work - we’ll update our advice when we know more.

The 2 child limit still applies until April 2026. You can check how much Universal Credit you’ll get under the current rules.

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.

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 get Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Earlier in 2025, the government proposed changes to who can get PIP. They aren’t going ahead with these, but will consider future changes. They might happen in 2026.

If you’re thinking of applying for PIP, you should. You’re more likely to get PIP if you apply before the rules change. You can check if you’re eligible for PIP.

If you’re worried about other benefit changes

The government have also discussed future changes to other benefits. You might have read about some of this in the news.

Any changes are unlikely to happen before 2027. If anything is announced, we'll update our advice.