Here’s the listElaine Blackburne Network Content Editor and Rob Andrews

13:50, 02 Jan 2026

Hanley job centreHanley job centre

Millions of people rely on benefits to help them. Whether it is the State Pension, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance or PIP, the money is vital to many of those who receive it.

Latest figures show there are about 24 million people in receipt of some form of Department of Work and Pensions ( DWP ) benefit. This is made up of about 13 million of State Pension age, 10 million of working age, and some disabled children who qualify for help.

In Rachel Reeves autumn budget many changes were announced to various benefits including ending the two-child limit which means families with more than two children will get increased payments. Charity Turn2us, which helps people access the benefits they are entitled to, has a list of every change planned so far for 2026.

It has released its updated guide, reports The Mirror. It warned there could be changes ahead but added: “Although some will happen quickly, others may be introduced gradually.”

March 2026

All legacy benefits will end on 31 March 2026. This means no more payments will be made after that date.

April 2026

Universal Credit

Introduction of changes to Universal Credit, from April 2026:

  • The two-child limit will be removed. This means families with three or more children will receive an extra child element payment for each additional child
  • New claimants of Universal Credit who get LCWRA will not get the full £94 per week and instead get £50
  • The maximum amount available for Universal Credit Childcare Costs will increase by £736.06 for each additional child above the two-child cap

The Universal Credit standard allowance will increase from:

  • £316.98 to £338.58 per month for single people aged under 25
  • £400.14 to £424.90 per month for single people aged 25 and over
  • £497.55 to £528.34 per month for joint claimants both aged under 25
  • £628.10 to £666.97 per month for joint claimants both aged 25 and over

Benefit increases

  • Social security benefits across the UK will increase by 3.8%
  • The New and Basic State Pension will increase by 4.8%
  • The National Living Wage will rise by 4.1%, from £12.21 to 12.71 per hour
  • The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will increase by 8.5%, from £10.00 to £10.85 per hour. For 16 to 17-year-olds and apprentices it will increase by 6% from £7.55 to £8.00 per hour
  • Extra taxes will be added to cars leased through the Motability Scheme, along with restrictions on certain car brands.

October 2026

The Warm Home Discount Scheme opens for applications in England, Scotland and Wales.

November 2026

  • Across the UK, eligible pensioners will begin to receive their Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
  • In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Cold Weather Payment 2026 scheme opens
  • In Scotland, the Winter Heating Payment and Child Winter Heating Payment will be paid to eligible households.