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Benefit Changes 2019/20

Published
01/04/2019
This article is 60 months old

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Millions of households entitled to welfare benefits and tax credit will see big changes in their claims from April.

Universal Credit

The roll out of the full digital service of Universal Credit across the country is now complete. The Government's next step is to transfer people from existing benefits to Universal Credit between July 2019 and December 2023.

In April 2019 the Universal Credit Work Allowances will increase for people with children or people with limited capability for work.

From July 2019 onwards, the 12-month ‘grace period’ from the Minimum Income Floor will be extended to all gainfully self-employed claimants who are moved over to Universal Credit by managed migration. It will only be extended to new claimants from September 2020.

Starting in October 2019, the maximum rate at which deductions from Universal Credit, to repay an advance payment, will be reduced from 40% to 30% of the standard allowance.

Pension Credit

From May, couples where one partner is aged above Pension Credit age and the other is aged under Pension Credit age, will no longer be able to make a new claim for Pension Credit. Instead they will have to claim Universal Credit.

National Minimum Wage

The National Living Wage will increase by 4.9% in April, this equals:

  • £8.21 for people over 25
  • £7.70 for people aged 21 to 24
  • £6.15 for people aged 18 to 20

Find out what the benefit rates are for 2019/20.