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April Benefit Changes: Pension Increase and New Support Fund

3/27/2026

36 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Benefit payments scheduled for April 3 and 6 will be issued on April 2 due to Easter.
The state pension increases by 4.8% in April to £241.05 per week.
A new Crisis and Resilience Fund will support low-income households.
Universal credit deductions will be capped at 15%.
Energy price caps will drop to £1,641 from April 1, and households are urged to claim all available benefits because £24 billion goes unclaimed annually.

History

Historical Context

The UK's pension system evolved significantly since the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908, which provided a modest income for the elderly. The National Insurance Act of 1946 expanded social security, culminating in the 1948 State Pension Act, which established a basic pension of £1.30 per week. Today, the pension rate has increased to £241.05, reflecting ongoing efforts to support citizens amid rising living costs.

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Story summary

Benefit payments scheduled for April 3 and 6 will be issued on April 2 due to Easter.
The state pension increases by 4.8% in April to £241.05 per week.
A new Crisis and Resilience Fund will support low-income households.
Universal credit deductions will be capped at 15%.
Energy price caps will drop to £1,641 from April 1, and households are urged to claim all available benefits because £24 billion goes unclaimed annually.

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