Big changes to Universal Credit from April: Parents need to know!

Big changes to Universal Credit from April: From April 2025, families receiving Universal Credit will get a great opportunity for financial relief. With working families and families with children in mind, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced some important changes that will increase benefit payments to take into account rising inflation and the rising cost of living.

The designed modifications specifically function to supply growth to child-rearing support along with childcare maintenance costs. The following section will show how these modifications affect familial benefits. >

Increase in Universal Credit

Universal Credit’s child-related benefit component will experience a 1.7% rise starting from April 2025. Families require this important news because improved financial resources for childraising constitute its main benefits. >

Increase in child benefits for children:

  • Children born before 6 April 2017: Payments for the first child or only child will increase from £333.33 to £339 per month.
  • Additional children born after 6 April 2017: Payments for these children will increase from £287.92 to £292.81 per month.

Disability support

Disability support

Financial support available to families having disabled children will grow as part of this program. Every month your child will receive an increased Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at the higher disability rate surpassing £487.58 to reach £495.87. At the lower disability rate people receive monthly payments will go from £156.11 to £158.76. >

The updated payments will be especially beneficial for families of children with disabilities because they must manage extra costs for healthcare and disability requirements.

Childcare

The Government through DWP raised Universal Credit childcare costs to help working parents with their expenses. Through the new restrictions families can receive a payment of 85% that covers their childcare fees to lower their financial responsibility for child expenses. >

Comparison of the new maximum childcare payment:

Childcare CostsPrevious MaximumNew Maximum
One Child£1,014.63£1,031.88
Two or More Children£1,739.37£1,768.94

This change will make it even cheaper and easier for parents to stay in work while managing childcare costs.

Extra support

In addition to these changes, some Universal Credit recipients may receive up to £750 of additional financial support. Families are encouraged to check their eligibility so they don’t miss out on any support.

In addition, negotiations are ongoing over compensation for Waspi women, as payment pressures on the DWP increase.

What should you do?

If you are in any doubt about how these changes may affect you, log into your Universal Credit account or contact your nearest Job Centre. Wait for communication from the DWP for updated payment amounts and eligibility rules.

Conclusion

Starting in April 2025 these updated guidelines will deliver substantial financial assistance to households. These changes will decrease both child care expenses and disability costs. This financial support enables families to agree on essential needs first because it makes quality time possible.

FAQs On Big changes to Universal Credit from April

Q. Am I eligible for these changes?

A. You can check your eligibility by logging into your Universal Credit account or by contacting your nearest Job Centre.

Q. Will there be a higher payment for disabled children?

A. Yes, payments will be increased for disabled children, particularly those eligible for DLA or PIP on the higher disability rate.

Q. How much will childcare expenses increase?

A. The maximum payment for childcare expenses will increase to £1,031.88 for one child and £1,768.94 for two or more children.

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