pata1 wrote: Benefits such as IB are increased with the Retail Price Index (RPI) aka inflation figure for the preceeding September RPI figures. In September 2009, inflation was around minus 1.5%, so those on private or occupational pensions will receive no increase this year.
For State Benefits such as IB, the government agreed that this would be 2.5%
as from April 2010. However, the increase you have received for April is only for the early part of April, so you won't see the full increase until your May payment, as IB is paid 4 weeks in arrears.
Your May payment should be 2.5% more than last years increase. If not speak to you local JCP office.
The 2.5% increase only applied to State Retirement Pension and most means-tested benefits.
Incapacity Benefit actually only increased by as little as 1%, which may have had something to do with the annual
downrating of the age-related additions payable with IB, which came into effect in April 2009.
Some much for the government saying that IB claimants wouldn't be worse off and would continue to have their income levels protected!
The words economical and truth immediately spring to mind.
