For millions of households in the United Kingdom, big changes in the financial landscape occur in April 2026. With another financial year beginning, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are adjusting payment rates and schedules due to the Easter bank holidays.
Understanding how these changes affect the timing of your payments and the amounts deposited into your bank account is essential. With ongoing financial pressures, the adjusted payments based on the triple lock and inflation-linked increases are designed to help households manage rising costs such as food and energy.
Easter Bank Holiday Payment Changes
For people receiving benefits, the Easter bank holidays in early April 2026 mean that payments may arrive earlier than expected. Good Friday falls on 3 April 2026 and Easter Monday is on 6 April 2026.
Since the DWP does not process payments on bank holidays, anyone scheduled to receive payments on these dates will instead receive their payment on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
This change applies to several benefits, including Child Benefit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), State Pension, and Universal Credit.
While receiving the payment early can help households prepare for the holiday period, claimants should remember that the next payment will still arrive on the usual May schedule. This means there could be a longer gap between payments, potentially creating tighter budgets later in the month.
New Benefit Rates Starting April 2026
April 2026 also brings increased benefit rates and pension payments. The State Pension will rise by 4.8% under the triple lock system, which guarantees annual increases based on the highest of earnings growth, inflation, or 2.5%.
As a result, the full New State Pension will increase to £241.30 per week. Universal Credit standard allowances will also rise by approximately 6.2%, providing additional support to both single claimants and couples.
Updated Payment Rates
| Benefit Type | Old Rate (2025/26) | New Rate (April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Credit (Single, 25+) | £400.14 | £424.90 |
| Universal Credit (Couple, 25+) | £628.10 | £666.97 |
| New State Pension (Weekly) | £230.25 | £241.30 |
| Basic State Pension (Weekly) | £176.45 | £184.90 |
Universal Credit and Child Support Policy Changes
In addition to higher payments, April 2026 introduces several policy adjustments that could significantly affect families.
One of the most notable changes is the removal of the two-child limit for Universal Credit. Families with three or more children will now be able to claim the child element for every child in the household. This policy change is expected to lift thousands of children out of poverty.
However, new claimants placed in the Limited Capability for Work and Related Activity (LCWRA) group may experience adjustments to the structure of their health-related premiums.
These reforms aim to modernize the benefits system and target support more effectively toward vulnerable households.
Additional Cost of Living and Energy Support
Although many of the large one-off cost-of-living payments from the government have ended, some targeted support measures will remain available through early 2026.
From 1 April 2026, the energy price cap will fall by approximately 7%, which is expected to reduce average annual household energy bills by around £150.
The government has also announced that the previous Household Support Fund will be replaced by a new Crisis and Resilience Fund administered by local councils. This scheme will provide immediate “cash-first” assistance to households facing financial emergencies.
If the benefit increases are not enough to cover your living expenses, contacting your local authority may help you access discretionary grants or emergency payments.
FAQs
Q1 Why did I receive my benefit payment early in April?
If your benefit payment was scheduled for 3 April or 6 April 2026, it was moved to 2 April because payments are not processed on the Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays.
Q2 How much is the New State Pension increasing?
The New State Pension will increase by 4.8% starting in April 2026, rising from £230.25 to £241.30 per week.
Q3 Is the two-child limit for Universal Credit still in place?
No. Beginning in April 2026, the two-child limit policy will no longer apply, allowing families to claim support for all children in the household.
