Universal Credit claimants still haven't receive uplift - when to expect it

12 June 2023 , 12:14

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Its been two months since the Universal Credit uplift (Image: PA)

It's been two months since Universal Credit payments were upped by 10.1% - however, some claimants are yet to receive the uplift.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was released a statement last month as many claimants complained after receiving less than they expected in their latest payments.

In the statement, Guy Opperman, DWP minister of State for Employment, explained how the increases in Universal Credit would come into force from the start of the first assessment period beginning on or after the first Monday of the tax year.

This year benefit rates officially went up after Monday, April 10 but because of the way Universal Credit is paid some saw the new rates in May whilst others won't see it until this month.

The DWP confirmed in the statement that the uplift would be seen from May 16.

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Universal Credit is paid seven days after a four-week assessment period - this is when the DWP looks at your financial situation to see how much Universal Credit you will get.

If your assessment periods started on or after April 10 up until April 25, your increased Universal Credit pay came in May.

If your assessment period started on or after April 26 then your increase will be seen in your June Universal Credit payment.

Benefits advisors have also confirmed that no backpay will be awarded for those yet to see the increase, as this delay is the standard annual protocol for applying new rises.

Here are some dates to show when the new rate will be seen in a person's payments:

• April 26 -May 25 assessment period - paid June 1 at the new rate
• April 27 - May 26 assessment period - paid June 2 at the new rate
• April 28 - May 27 assessment period - paid June 3 at the new rate - will have gone in on June 2 as June 3 is a Saturday
• April 29 - May 28 assessment period - paid June 4 at the new rate - will have gone in on June 2 as June 4 is a Sunday
• April 30 - May 29 assessment period - paid June 5 at the new rate
• May 1 - May 31 assessment period - paid June 7 at the new rate
• May 2 - June 1 assessment period - paid June 8 at the new rate
• May 3 - June 2 assessment period - paid June 9 at the new rate
• May 4 - June 3 assessment period - paid June 10 at the new rate - will go in on June 9 as June 10 is a Saturday
• May 5 - June 4 assessment period - paid June 11 at the new rate - will go in on June 9 as June 11 is a Sunday
• May 6 - June 5 assessment period - paid June 12 at the new rate
• May 7 - June 6 assessment period - paid June 13 at the new rate
• May 8 - June 7 assessment period - paid June 14 at the new rate
• May 9 - June 8 assessment period - paid June 15 at the new rate

After this date, everyone paid will have already had the new rate in their May payment.

If you haven't received your uplift yet then you should check your assessment period.

This can be done on your Universal Credit online journal.

You can find a full list of the new Universal Credit payment rates here.

Ruby Flanagan