The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has set out its proposed new payment rates for millions of people receiving key disability benefits. From April 2026, weekly payments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance will increase by 3.8 per cent.
New Weekly Rates for Millions of Claimants
This uprating will affect the finances of a significant portion of the population, with recent DWP figures showing 3.9 million people currently claiming PIP alone. Under the current system, PIP claimants receive between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, which translates to a four-weekly pay period of £116.80 to £749.80. The 3.8% boost will see these four-weekly amounts rise to between £121.20 and £778.20.
The DWP will send annual uprating letters to all claimants ahead of the April implementation date. It is crucial to keep this letter safe, as it often serves as proof of benefit entitlement when applying for other forms of financial support.
Detailed Breakdown of the 2026/27 Benefit Rates
Here is a comprehensive look at how the new weekly rates will apply across the main disability benefits from April 2026:
Attendance Allowance
- Higher rate: £114.60 (rising from £110.40)
- Lower rate: £76.70 (rising from £73.90)
Carer’s Allowance
- Weekly payment rate: £86.45 (rising from £83.30)
- Weekly earnings threshold: £204.00 (rising from £196.00)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Care component:
- Highest: £114.60 (from £110.40)
- Middle: £76.70 (from £73.90)
- Lowest: £30.30 (from £29.20)
Mobility component:
- Higher: £77.05 (from £80.00)
- Lower: £30.30 (from £29.20)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Daily Living component:
- Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)
- Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)
Mobility component:
- Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)
- Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)
Understanding Your Potential PIP Award
PIP awards are made up of combinations of the daily living and mobility components at either standard or enhanced rates. This creates eight potential award levels. Your new four-weekly pay period could be one of the following:
Single component award only:
- Standard daily living only: £306.80
- Enhanced daily living only: £458.40
- Standard mobility only: £121.20
- Enhanced mobility only: £320.00
Lower rate for both components:
- Standard daily living and standard mobility: £428.00
Higher rate for both components:
- Enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility: £778.40
Mixed rate awards:
- Standard daily living and enhanced mobility: £626.80
- Enhanced daily living and standard mobility: £579.60
It is important to remember that PIP and all the listed disability benefits are tax-free and are not affected by the benefit cap. A full breakdown of all benefit changes, including additional payments and deduction rates, is available on the official GOV.UK website.
