The government have announced changes to Universal Credit that will affect everyone from April 2026. These changes are the result of the Universal Credit Act 2025 and the November 2025 budget.
The amount of Universal Credit you get will change. This is because the Universal Credit ‘standard allowance’ is increasing. A monthly Universal Credit payment is made up of a standard allowance plus any additional amounts you might get based on your circumstances.
The government are also planning to remove the 2 child limit for Universal Credit from April 2026. This means you might get more Universal Credit if you’re responsible for 3 or more children.
You might also be affected by the April 2026 changes if you get an additional amount because you have a long-term health condition or a disability. This payment is called the ‘limited capability for work-related activity’ (LCWRA) element. The amount is decreasing for most people who apply for the LCWRA element on or after 6 April 2026.
If you get any other benefits, they will not be affected – the changes only apply to Universal Credit. For example, if you get Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it will not be affected by these changes.
Check how Universal Credit is changing in 2026
Category: Universal Credit