The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the official Income Support rates for the 2025–2026 financial year. The new weekly payments, effective from 8 April 2025, aim to support low-income households across the United Kingdom during ongoing cost-of-living pressures. This change marks another step in the gradual reshaping of the UK’s welfare system as Universal Credit continues to expand.
Table of Contents
DWP Announces UK Income Support Rates for 2025
| Key Fact | Detail/Statistic |
|---|---|
| New weekly rate for single under 25 | £72.90 |
| New weekly rate for single over 25 | £92.05 |
| Couples (both over 18) | £144.65 |
| Start date | April 2025 |
| Claimant type | Legacy claimants only; new claims generally directed to Universal Credit (UC) |
| Official Website | UK Government |
A Legacy Benefit in Transition
Income Support has been a cornerstone of the UK’s welfare system since its introduction in 1988, replacing Supplementary Benefit. Originally designed to provide basic income to those not required to seek work, it has supported millions of claimants over the decades.
However, since 2013, the UK government has shifted towards a single, consolidated benefit — Universal Credit (UC) — to simplify the system. This means that while existing claimants can remain on Income Support, new applicants are directed to UC instead.
“Income Support has been an essential safety net for more than 30 years,” said Dr. Harriet Lewis, welfare historian at the University of Oxford. “Its gradual replacement marks the end of an era in British social policy.”
2025 Rates: What’s Changing
From April 2025, the standard personal allowance will increase across all categories.
- Single claimants under 25: £72.90 per week
- Single claimants 25 and over: £92.05 per week
- Couples (both over 18): £144.65 per week
This reflects a 1.7% increase, in line with official inflation forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
How Rates Have Evolved?
When Income Support was launched in 1988, the weekly rate for a single adult over 25 was £28.80. Adjusted for inflation, this would be roughly £83 today, which means the 2025 rate represents a modest real-terms increase over the original baseline.
However, during the 2010s, uprating often lagged behind inflation. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, between 2010 and 2017, real-terms support fell for many households, contributing to rising poverty among low-income groups.
Who Can Receive Income Support in 2025?
Only a limited group of people can still claim Income Support, as Universal Credit has replaced it for most new applications. Eligible groups typically include:
- People on low incomes who are not required to sign on as unemployed
- Lone parents with children under five
- Certain carers and disabled people
- Individuals enrolled in approved part-time education
Claimants must be over 16 and under the Pension Credit qualifying age, with savings below £16,000 for full entitlement.
“This benefit remains a vital lifeline for those who fall through the cracks of other programmes,” said Sarah Williams, a senior policy analyst at the Resolution Foundation. “For lone parents or carers, the stability it provides is significant.”
Additional Premiums and Top-Ups
In addition to the core allowance, claimants may qualify for premium payments that increase weekly income:
- Carer’s premium for those providing unpaid care
- Disability premium and severe disability premium for eligible claimants
- Enhanced disability premium for higher levels of need
These payments are assessed individually and can add between £40 and £90 per week to the standard rate.
A Human Perspective: Claimants’ Experience
While official figures provide the structure, real lives are shaped by the benefit.
“Without this, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with rent and food,” said Maria, a single parent in Manchester who has received Income Support for three years. “It’s not a lot, but it’s stable. I’m worried about what happens when I’m moved to Universal Credit.”
Maria’s experience reflects broader concerns among legacy claimants, many of whom fear administrative delays or reductions in payment during migration to UC.
According to Citizens Advice, more than 600,000 people were still receiving Income Support as of late 2024, though the number has steadily declined since 2013.
How the UK Compares Internationally
While Income Support provides essential assistance, its levels are lower than equivalent programmes in some European countries.
- In Germany, the basic unemployment benefit (Bürgergeld) is about £430 per month for single adults, plus housing support.
- In France, Revenu de Solidarité Active (RSA) provides around £490 per month.
- In Canada, basic provincial support varies but can reach £520 per month in Ontario.
The UK’s structure relies more on housing and council tax benefits to supplement the core allowance. Experts argue that this makes the system less transparent but more flexible.
“The UK safety net is fragmented,” explained Dr. Emily Carter, economist at the London School of Economics. “While the nominal amount looks lower, the total package of support can be comparable — but navigating it can be difficult for claimants.”
Universal Credit and the Future of Income Support
The government’s long-term plan is to fully phase out Income Support by the end of the decade. This is part of a broader welfare reform designed to simplify benefits into a single payment through Universal Credit.
“Universal Credit was designed to reduce complexity,” said Tom Harris, a spokesperson for the DWP. “But we are ensuring no one loses out unfairly in the transition.”
Advocates, however, remain cautious. Several welfare organisations have documented delays, errors, and hardship during migration. They have called for stronger safeguards, especially for vulnerable groups like carers and disabled people.
Economic Backdrop: Inflation and Cost of Living
The 1.7% uprating of Income Support is tied to projected inflation, but economists warn that living costs may still outpace benefit growth in some areas.
The OBR expects consumer price inflation to average 2.5% in 2025, but housing, food, and energy costs remain elevated. Energy bills in particular are expected to rise modestly in the first half of 2025 due to global market pressures.
“Any uprating is welcome, but it is unlikely to reverse more than a decade of below-inflation increases,” said Professor James Morgan, from the University of Warwick’s Centre for Social Policy. “Many households remain on the brink.”
Practical Guidance: What Claimants Need to Do
- Existing claimants will receive a letter from the DWP confirming their new rate in March 2025.
- If personal circumstances have changed, claimants must update their details immediately to avoid incorrect payments.
- Those due to migrate to Universal Credit should receive an official migration notice with guidance and timelines.
- Free help and support are available from Citizens Advice and local welfare offices.
Regional Impacts and Disparities
While rates are uniform across the UK, regional differences in living costs create significant disparities in purchasing power. For example:
- In London, a single claimant’s £92.05 weekly rate may cover less than a quarter of average rent.
- In Northern England or Wales, it covers a larger share of living costs, particularly outside urban centres.
Welfare analysts have called for targeted regional supplements or broader housing support to address these imbalances.
Policy Debate and Public Opinion
The announcement has sparked renewed debate over welfare adequacy.
- Welfare charities welcomed the increase but warned it was insufficient to offset persistent cost pressures.
- Fiscal conservatives argued that uprating should be tied more tightly to fiscal responsibility.
- Some think tanks proposed further consolidation of premiums to simplify the system.
According to a YouGov poll conducted in October 2024, 58% of Britons support regular inflation-linked increases to working-age benefits, while 22% oppose.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Income Support uprating is modest but significant for hundreds of thousands of low-income households. While the benefit’s future is limited, its role in supporting vulnerable groups remains critical.
“This isn’t just about numbers on a page,” said Fiona McAllister, director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. “It’s about stability and dignity for people who need support the most.”
The DWP expects the majority of remaining claimants to migrate to Universal Credit by 2028. Until then, Income Support continues to provide essential, if limited, financial protection.
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FAQ
Q1: Can I apply for Income Support in 2025?
No. Most new claimants must apply for Universal Credit, except in rare legacy circumstances.
Q2: How often is Income Support paid?
Payments are typically made every two weeks, directly into a bank account.
Q3: Will the 2025 increase keep up with inflation?
The 1.7% increase matches the OBR’s inflation forecast, but actual inflation could be higher.
Q4: What if I’m asked to migrate to Universal Credit?
You will receive a migration notice from the DWP with clear steps and deadlines.
Q5: Where can I get help?
Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, local councils, and authorised welfare support organisations.
