As the 2026/27 tax year approaches, the financial landscape for the UK disabled community and their carers will change considerably. The government completed it’s annual review of social security and the results are confirmed: most disability benefits will increase by 3.8% as of April 2026. This increase is due to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation figure. This is to make sure that essential support payments always reflect the current demands accompanying the rising costs of living. Millions of households that rely on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) see these changes as more than administrative updates, but rather an essential financial support to combat the rising costs of utility bills, specialized equipment, and transport.
New Weekly Rates for PIP and DLA and The 2026 Uprating
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed the weekly rates for PIP and DLA which will be implemented on 6 April 2026. Daily Living and Mobility components will be increasing gradually. The PIP daily living component enhanced rate will increase to £114.60 a week from £110.40. This means someone eligible for the highest rates of both daily living and mobility support can receive £194.60 every week. Due to the Easter bank holidays in early April 2026, some claimants may receive their uprated payment a bit earlier than usual. It may be as early as April 2nd to bridge the gap in support during the holidays.
2026/27 New Payment Rates
We hope our breakdown of the new payment rates will assist you in budgeting for your household expenses. The table below details the weekly payable amounts for April 2026 for the most common components of disability benefits.
| Benefit Component | 2025/26 Rate (Weekly) | 2026/27 New Rate (Weekly) |
| PIP: Enhanced Daily Living | £110.40 | £114.60 |
| PIP: Standard Daily Living | £73.90 | £76.70 |
| PIP: Enhanced Mobility | £77.05 | £80.00 |
| PIP: Standard Mobility | £29.20 | £30.30 |
| DLA: Highest Care Rate | £110.40 | £114.60 |
| DLA: Higher Mobility Rate | £77.05 | £80.00 |
Important Changes to Eligibility and Assessments
Aside from the increases, 2026 will see the start of a large scale “rebalancing” of the welfare system. Many new applicants will experience a different set of rules and requirements as current applicants remain safe from most immediate/structural changes. PIP is likely to focus more toward the highest clinical need PIP claimants. This is likely to mean more in-person functional assessments as opposed to paper assessments. Additionally, there is a significant change regarding Universal Credit claimants with an associated health issue. For new claims from April 2026 onward, the additional payment for Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) is expected to be reduced, and frozen for a number of years, though a new “Severe Disability Premium” is anticipated for those with the most life-limiting conditions.
Impact on Carers and Families
Families and unpaid carers will also see the increase in support this year. Carer’s Allowance is now increasing to £86.45 per week and the earnings threshold is increasing to £204 per week. This allows carers to do slightly more work without losing their right to the allowance. For parents of children on DLA, the increase is also relevant for all care and mobility components and is therefore useful for therapy, special childcare, and transport to medical appointments. It is important for families to retain their DWP uprating letters as these letters are the most important proof for an application for a secondary support such as a Council Tax reduction and a Blue Badge.
Preparing for the Transition in April 2026
With changes coming, the best approach to ensure you receive the correct amount is to keep an eye on your bank statements and DWP correspondence. In most instances, these changes happen without direct contact to DWP. If your health has gotten worse or your care needs has changed, 2026 is the year to request a change of circumstances review. The government is running a full review of PIP and will do so until the end of 2026. Incremental updates to policies are the best approach to ensure you are supported as the government continues to cut social services.
FAQs
Q1 Do I need to reapply to get the new 2026 rates?
DWP automatically applies the 3.8% increase, and no application is needed. You will receive a letter at the beginning of 2026 stating your new weekly rate, and changes will start showing up in your payments from April 6th.
Q2 Do the 2026 changes affect my current PIP award?
More money each week is a benefit of the rate increase. Most of the Government’s new changes to eligibility criteria and assessments that impose stricter regulations are focused on new claimants and people with fixed-term awards coming up for renewal.
Q3 What will happen to my payment if it lands on the Easter Bank Holiday?
DWP usually moves payments that are due on Good Friday (April 3) or Easter Monday (April 6) to Thursday, April 2, 2026 to give you access to your payment before the bank holiday weekend.
