A BBC finance expert has urged millions of benefit claimants to check their accounts after payments increased by 3.8% from April. Personal finance specialist Laura Pomfret appeared on BBC Morning Live to reveal that Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payments (PIP), and Carer's Allowance have all received a welcome boost. She warned claimants need to confirm the increase has actually landed in their accounts.
Key Changes to Benefits
Universal Credit rates have risen significantly, with single claimants over 25 now receiving £424.90 monthly compared to the previous £400.14. Couples where one or both partners are over 25 will get £666.97 monthly, up from £628.10. Carer's Allowance has increased to £86.45 weekly, while the earnings threshold has risen to £204 per week. The Carer Element of Universal Credit has also climbed to £209.34 monthly.
Two-Child Benefit Cap Scrapped
In a major change for families, the two-child benefit cap has been scrapped entirely. Parents can now claim £333 monthly for their first child and £287.92 for each additional child - worth over £3,400 per child annually. The increases come at a crucial time as families struggle with rising food prices and living costs across the UK.
Ms Pomfret explained: "So, if you are someone on benefits, you should have got paid on Friday because it's a bank holiday today and so check that you had that higher amount. Make sure that you've got that increase because we're talking about food prices, we're talking about things going up."
