PIP, DLA, AA and ESA rates should increase by 3.5% from April 2027, following the announcement last week of September's inflation figures by the Office for National Statistics. However, the government have not yet said if they will follow the usual procedure of using the September rates and different rules now apply to the UC health element.
The table below shows what a 3.5% increase would mean for the main disability and sickness benefit rates, with weekly amounts rounded to the nearest 5p. Please note: these are not official figures. Uprating amounts should be announced in the Chancellor's budget speech.
| Benefit | Current rate | Estimated uprated rate | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance allowance — weekly | |||
| Lower rate | £76.70 | £79.40 | £2.70 |
| Higher rate | £114.60 | £118.60 | £4.00 |
| DLA care — weekly | |||
| Lowest rate | £30.30 | £31.35 | £1.05 |
| Middle rate | £76.70 | £79.40 | £2.70 |
| Highest rate | £114.60 | £118.60 | £4.00 |
| DLA mobility — weekly | |||
| Lower rate | £30.30 | £31.35 | £1.05 |
| Higher rate | £80.00 | £82.80 | £2.80 |
| ESA — weekly | |||
| Assessment rate, under 25 | £75.65 | £78.30 | £2.65 |
| Basic allowance, 25 or over / main phase | £95.55 | £98.90 | £3.35 |
| Work-related activity component* | £37.95 | £39.30 | £1.35 |
| Support component* | £50.35 | £52.10 | £1.75 |
| PIP daily living — weekly | |||
| Standard rate | £76.70 | £79.40 | £2.70 |
| Enhanced rate | £114.60 | £118.60 | £4.00 |
| PIP mobility — weekly | |||
| Standard rate | £30.30 | £31.35 | £1.05 |
| Enhanced rate | £80.00 | £82.80 | £2.80 |
| UC health element — monthly | |||
| Lower rate | £217.26 | £217.26 | £0 |
| Protected higher rate | £429.80 | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
ESA components are added to the basic allowance where you qualify. The work-related activity component is generally only payable for claims dating from before April 2017. The table excludes any additional premiums.
UC health payments
The lower UC health element is frozen at £217.26 a month until 2029/30. If you receive this rate, it won’t increase next April under the current rules.
If you receive the protected higher rate, the rules protect the combined amount of your standard allowance and health element against inflation. This means you shouldn’t assume that the £429.80 health element itself will rise by 3.5%. The Commons Library briefing explains how these protections work.
The UC standard allowance is due to rise by around 4.3%, according to the Resolution Foundation. It also warns that inflation could climb above 4% in the new year, meaning that disability benefits claimants could still be worse off even after receiving the increase
