The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) officially confirmed the updated disability benefit rates for 2026 bringing changes to Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and a range of related allowances.
The announcement affects millions of people across the UK receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and other health-related allowances.
The new rates, which will take effect at the start of the April financial year, are part of a standard annual uprating linked to inflation. While the adjustments aim to help households manage rising energy and transport costs, campaign groups remain concerned that the increases may not fully cover the “extra cost of disability” faced by the most vulnerable.
Claimants will not need to reapply, as the updated amounts will be automatically reflected in their regular payment cycles. The DWP emphasized that these changes are vital for maintaining the “safety net” for those with long-term health conditions or limited work capacity.
