Means-tested benefit rates 2025/26

Universal credit rates 2025/26

Elements		£pm
First child (if born before 6 April 2017)		339.00
First child (if born on or after 6 April 2017), second child and each subsequent child who qualifies		292.81
Disabled child addition	Lower rate	158.76
	Higher rate	495.87
Limited capability for work		158.76
Limited capability for work-related activity		423.27
Carer		201.68
Childcare costs	One child	up to 1,031.88
	Two or more children	up to 1,768.94
	Percentage covered	85%
Housing costs contribution		93.02
Work allowance	UC includes a housing costs element	411.00
	UC does not include a housing costs element	684.00
Transitional severe disability premium element, see here Transitional element, see here

Capital limits	Lower	Upper
	6,000	16,000
Tariff income: £4.35 per £250 between lower and upper limits

Other means-tested benefit rates 2025/26

Income-related employment and support allowance
Personal allowances		£pw
Single		92.05
Couple	One 18 or over (maximum)	144.65
	Both 18 or over	144.65
Components
Work-related activity		36.55
Support		48.50
Premiums
Carer		46.40
Severe disability (one qualifies)		82.90
Severe disability (two qualify)		165.80
Enhanced disability Single		21.20
Couple		30.25
Pensioner
Couple, no component		201.95
Couple, work-related activity component		165.40
Couple, support component		153.45

Housing benefit
Personal allowances
Single	Under 25	72.90
	Under 25 (on main phase ESA)	92.05
	25 or over	92.05
Lone parent	Under 18	72.90
	Under 18 (on main phase ESA)	92.05
	18 or over	92.05
Couple	Both under 18	110.15
	One or both 18 or over	144.65
Dependent children	Under 20	84.66
Pension age (and claimant/partner not on income-related ESA or UC)	Single (reached pension age before 1 April 2021)	244.40
	Single (reached pension age on or after 1 April 2021)	227.10
	Couple (one or both reached pension age before 1 April 2021)	366.00
	Couple (both reached pension age on or after 1 April 2021)	346.60
Components
Work-related activity	–	36.55
Support	–	48.50
Premiums
Carer		46.40
Disability	Single	43.20
	Couple	61.65
Disabled child		81.37
Enhanced disability	Single	21.20
	Couple	30.25
	Child	32.75
Severe disability	One qualifies	82.90
	Two qualify	165.80
Family	Ordinary rate	19.48
	Some lone parents	22.20
Tariff income: £1 per £250 between lower and upper limits; £1 per £500 for those over pension age No upper limit or tariff income for those on pension credit guarantee credit

Scotland-only payments
Best Start grant
Pregnancy and baby payment (lump sum)
	First child	767.50
	Any subsequent child	383.75
Early learning payment (lump sum)		319.80
School-age payment (lump sum)		319.80
Child winter heating assistance (lump sum)		255.80
Scottish child payment		27.15

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