The DWP has confirmed what the benefits increase will be for the 2026/2027 financial year. This will be of particular importance to millions of UK claimants. Every year, adjustments help social security support keep its value against the inflation that exists within that year. As the UK continues to increase its cost of living, these adjustments help keep the support provided by the social security system at the same value. From April 2026, PIP, ESA, and other disability benefits will receive a 3.8% increase. This increase is based off of the 2025 CPI. The government is by law required to adjust benefits based off of the CPI. Although these benefits will have a large increase, other benefits like Universal Credit will have a different increase. Because of these changes, 2026 will be a year of change for the people lessons to the welfare system.
PIP Rate Increases for 2026/27
Starting April of 2026 there will be a 3.8% increase to the Daily Living and Mobility components of Personal Independence Payments. Every 3 years the PIP rates are evaluated and adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. This means that the Daily Living standard rate will increase to £76.70 from £73.90. Daily Living enhanced rates will increases to £114.60. This change will especially help those whose Daily Living Payments are enhanced as costs for specialized care and transport continue to increase. Ultimately, the increase will be felt the same for those claiming Mobility payments as it will for Daily Living enhanced payments. Importantly, there is no need to contact the DWP or to make a new claim; the increases are adjusted automatically on award letters. Consistency across frameworks means that the increase will be reflected in the DLA and Attendance Allowance as it will in the PIP.
ESA and Universal Credit Health Changes
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is getting big changes starting in 2026. The personal allowance and the Support Group component is increasing by 3.8%. Although this is happening, a lot of claimants are currently being moved to Universal Credit (UC) due to the managed migration process. With the new rules, starting 2026, there is now a difference between “protected” claimants and “new” claimants. If someone has the LCWRA (Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity) element and has been receiving this payment before April 6, 2026, this payment will be protected from changes and can be increased in the future. However, if it is after April 6, 2026, then this is “new” claimants who will be receiving, in some particular (legislative) circumstances, the “health element” of the payment, which is going to be a lot lower, starting at around £217. Before this change, the payment was £423, and the DWP is attempting to shift the system towards more employment support for those with less severe conditions.
DWP Disability Benefit Rates 2026/27
| Benefit Component | Current Weekly Rate (2025/26) | New Weekly Rate (2026/27) |
| PIP: Daily Living (Enhanced) | £108.55 | £112.65 |
| PIP: Daily Living (Standard) | £72.65 | £75.40 |
| PIP: Mobility (Enhanced) | £75.75 | £78.60 |
| PIP: Mobility (Standard) | £28.70 | £29.80 |
| ESA: Support Group Component | £48.50 | £50.35 |
| Attendance Allowance (Higher) | £110.40 | £114.60 |
Understand the Managed Migration Deadline
One of the important target deadlines for 2026 is the completion of the “Move to UC” for those on legacy benefits. Most income-related ESA claimants are to be moved to UC by DWP by the end of March 2026. Those who receive a migration notice must act within the three-month time limit to obtain “transitional protection.” “Transitional protection” means that if you are entitled to less UC than you were receiving for a legacy benefit, the DWP pays you a top-up to make up the difference.
As part of an effort to assist low-income families, starting in April 2026, Universal Credit standard allowances will increase by 6.2%. This increase is larger than the standard inflation increase, and is the largest increase in years. This is happening while some of the health specific elements are being restricted for new entrants. This also means while new participants are restricted, all UC households are receiving more than they have in years.
Future Outlook and the Timms Review
Looking past the immediate changes, there is more than just the change in rates coming for the disability benefit system. Sir Stephen Timms is leading the government’s commissioned “Timms Review” in 2026, and it is expected to look into the future of PIP assessments and determine if the disability criteria accurately depicts the costs the disabled encounter. Displacing funds is more of an evidence based approach to independent living. For the 2026/27 rates, it should be the last stable base claimants should have. This is the best approach to an award, and the best approach to minimize DWP contact on an award, during the transitional period.
FAQs
Q1 When will I get paid the new 2026 benefit rates?
The new rates will show up in your payments starting on April 6, 2026. Since payments are usually sent out for previous months, new claimants will have one payment cycle that are new after the new rates are in effect and will receive the increased payment then. \
Q2 Will I need to do anything to get the 3.8% increase?
No, the change is automatic. The systems will change at the DWP and then you will get a letter and/or online journal update, that will show the new amount, in March or April. \
Q3 What if I still have legacy ESA in April 2026?
You will still receive the 3.8% increase on your legacy ESA. However, keep an eye out for a migration notice, as the DWP is planning to move the majority of legacy claimers to Universal Credit in 2026.
