The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially confirmed that millions of people across the UK will receive a £519 annual increase in their benefits from April 2025. This rise comes as part of the government’s yearly uprating of welfare support, designed to help low-income households, disabled people, pensioners, carers, and families manage rising living costs.
For many households struggling with energy bills, rent, food prices, and other essential expenses, this confirmed increase will offer much-needed stability moving into the new financial year. While the rise applies differently across benefit categories, the average uplift works out to roughly £10 a week, totalling £519 a year for a large portion of claimants.
Below is a complete breakdown of who qualifies for the increase, the exact benefits going up, and what these changes mean for claimants in 2025.
What the £519 Increase Really Means for Claimants
The DWP adjusts benefit payments every April using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the previous September. With inflation easing but still affecting household budgets, the upcoming 2025 increase aims to ensure vulnerable groups do not fall behind.
The £519 figure represents the average annual increase for working-age benefits, meaning some claimants may receive slightly more or less depending on their award. For those relying heavily on Universal Credit or disability-related payments, this raise can significantly support essential daily needs.
The uplift is particularly important because many households lost additional help after the cost-of-living payments ended. This inflation-linked rise provides a more stable long-term adjustment to benefit rates.
Which Benefits Will Increase in April 2025?
The confirmed increase applies to nearly all major benefits administered by the DWP. This includes support for jobseekers, disabled people, carers, pensioners, and low-income workers.
Here is the full list of benefits receiving increases:
- Universal Credit (all elements)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Carer’s Allowance
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit allowances
- Income Support
While all of these will rise, the exact amount depends on your household type, age, disability level, and circumstances.
Universal Credit 2025: What Increases to Expect
Universal Credit remains the most widely claimed benefit in the UK, supporting millions of households. With rising living costs and wage stagnation affecting many working families, the 2025 uprating is considered essential by social support groups.
All Universal Credit elements will increase in April 2025, including:
- Standard Allowances
- Child Elements
- Disability Additions
- Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity
- Carer Element
- Work Allowances
For many claimants, this will account for the primary portion of the £519 yearly rise.
For example, the standard allowance for a single adult over 25 typically sees the biggest cash change. Couples and families with dependent children will also notice a meaningful increase, especially in the child elements, which are uprated every year.
Universal Credit claimants who receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support separately may also see additional changes depending on local authority rules.
PIP and Disability Benefits: Who Gets More in 2025?
Disability benefits will also rise by the same inflation-linked percentage. This includes:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
Because disability-related benefits are paid at multiple rates and aimed at people with long-term conditions, even a small percentage rise can significantly improve financial resilience.
The mobility and daily living components will both increase, applying to:
- Standard Rate
- Enhanced Rate
For many disabled claimants, this uplift contributes heavily to the total £519 annual rise, especially for those receiving both components at enhanced rates.
This increase also indirectly affects other benefits, as disability-related awards often unlock:
- Carer’s Allowance
- Severe Disability Premium (in legacy benefits)
- Higher UC disability elements
Thus, the April 2025 rise supports not just the claimant but sometimes their carers or family members as well.
State Pension Rise 2025: Triple Lock Impact
Pensioners will benefit from the State Pension increase in April 2025 due to the triple lock. The triple lock ensures that pensions rise by whichever is highest:
- Wage growth
- CPI inflation
- 2.5%
For several years now, pensioners have received some of the largest annual increases due to rising wages and inflation.
The 2025 State Pension rise adds substantially to the £519 figure for pensioner households, especially for those receiving:
- Basic State Pension
- New State Pension
- Pension Credit
As the cost of heating, food, and health care continues to rise disproportionately for older citizens, this increase remains especially important.
Carer’s Allowance Increase: What Carers Need to Know
Carer’s Allowance, claimed by nearly one million people in the UK to support unpaid carers, will also rise from April 2025. Even though the increase is modest, it offers consistent support to individuals caring for someone at least 35 hours a week.
Carers who receive Universal Credit will also see rises in the Carer Element, meaning a higher total monthly payment.
Because many carers have limited ability to work full-time jobs due to caregiving duties, the increase helps support daily living expenses, travel for medical appointments, and other essential costs.
Child Benefit Increase in 2025
Child Benefit will also rise in April 2025. Although Child Benefit is not as high as some other benefits, it provides essential baseline support to millions of UK households.
Both rates increase:
- Eldest/only child rate
- Additional child rate
Families receiving Universal Credit or Tax Credits will see combined increases across multiple benefit types.
For larger families, the Child Benefit rise contributes meaningfully to the annual increase.
How the DWP Calculates the Annual Increase
Each year, the DWP uses the previous September’s CPI inflation figure to calculate new benefit rates. This method ensures the increases reflect real-world price movements.
The process looks like this:
- September CPI inflation is confirmed
- The DWP updates all benefit rates using this percentage
- New rates are published
- Payments increase automatically in April
This method ensures consistency and transparency, allowing claimants to plan ahead.
The confirmed £519 annual rise represents the average outcome of this process across multiple benefit categories.
Who Is Fully Eligible for the £519 Increase?
Eligibility depends on whether someone already receives one or more benefits included in the annual uprating.
You will benefit from the increase if you receive:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- PIP/DLA/Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- ESA/JSA/Income Support
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit (most cases)
You do not need to apply for the increase. It will be added to your payment automatically from April 2025.
Those in work receiving Universal Credit (working claimants) will also get the increase, even if receiving small awards.
How Much Will Each Household Type Gain?
Although £519 is the average rise, the real amount varies depending on circumstances.
Most households fall into one of these categories:
- Single adults on UC – typically gain around £8–£12 weekly
- Couples – gain slightly more due to higher standard allowances
- Families with children – see multiple increases in UC child elements + Child Benefit
- Disabled adults – see significant increases in disability components
- Carers – benefit from both Carer’s Allowance and UC Carer Element increases
- Pensioners – often gain the most due to the triple lock
This means that while some households may gain around £400–£500 yearly, others may receive £700–£1,000 depending on their benefit combination.
When Will the New Payments Start?
The new benefit rates will begin automatically from:
April 2025 (start of the new tax year)
Most claimants will see the increase in their first payment after this date. Universal Credit, which is paid monthly, will show the new rate in the first full assessment period after April.
Legacy benefit claimants, who usually receive weekly or fortnightly payments, will see the increase slightly sooner depending on their payment cycle.
Will This Increase Affect Other Support?
For most claimants, the increase does not reduce other support. However:
- Local Housing Allowances may vary by region
- Council Tax Support may be recalculated
- Some people near income thresholds may see changes in contribution-based support
But in most cases, the increase is entirely beneficial and does not replace or remove any other entitlement.
Final Thoughts
The confirmed DWP increase for 2025 delivers meaningful financial relief at a time when many households still face high living costs. While inflation is slowing, everyday essentials remain expensive for millions of people. This £519 annual rise ensures benefit levels better reflect current economic realities.
The uplift supports:
- Low-income families
- Disabled people
- Pensioners
- Carers
- Jobseekers
- Working households on UC
As the UK moves into 2025, the increase provides stability, predictability, and improved financial security for some of the most vulnerable people in society.