Guidance

A11/2021: Housing Benefit uprating for the financial year ending March 2023

Updated 31 January 2022

Who should read

All Housing Benefit (HB) staff

Action

For information

Subject

Housing Benefit uprating for the financial year ending March 2023

Revisions

We apologise for any inconvenience caused but this circular is being reissued as the original contained an error:

Appendix C: Employment and Support Allowance rates

  • components – Support Component from £40.06 to £40.60

Guidance manual

The information in this circular does affect the content of the HB Guidance Manual and the HB/CTB Overpayments Guide.

HB Guidance Manual: Please annotate this circular number against paragraph A4 4.750, 4.900, A5 Annex A, BW3 Annex A and BP3 Annex A.

HB/CTB Overpayments Guide: Please annotate this circular number against paragraphs 4.260 – 4.264.

Queries

Extra copies of this circular/copies of previous circulars can be found at Housing Benefit for local authorities: adjudication circulars.

Introduction

1. In her written statement to Parliament on 25 November 2021, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced proposals for the social security benefit rates which will apply from April 2022.

2. This circular advises you of the rates so you can take the appropriate action.

Note: At the time of writing, the Orders or regulations bringing the changes into effect are still subject to the appropriate parliamentary process.

3. Any queries about the information contained in this circular should be emailed to [email protected]

Timing

4. In line with previous practice, the main Housing Benefit (HB) uprating will be introduced in advance of the setting of the main social security benefit rates. To coincide with the week in which many rents change the 2022 uprating will take effect on:

  • Friday 1 April 2022 for cases to which regulation 79(3)(a)(i) of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (for Working Age customers) and regulation 59(3)(a)(i) of the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 (for people who have attained the qualifying age for Pension Credit) applies, when rent is paid monthly or at any interval which is not a week or multiples of a week
  • Monday 4 April 2022 for cases to which regulation 79(3)(a)(ii) of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (for Working Age customers) and regulation 59(3)(a)(ii) of the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 (for people who have attained the qualifying age for Pension Credit) applies, when rent is paid on a weekly basis (or multiple of a week)

5. The main points are:

  • the basic State Retirement Pension and the full rate of the new State Retirement Pension are being uprated by 3.1% in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) in the financial year ending (FYE) March 2023
  • the Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit is being increased by 3.1% this year to match the cash increase in the basic State Pension. The Savings Credit maximum is increased by CPI at 3.1% in FYE March 2023
  • premiums paid to pensioner recipients of Working Age benefits will continue to be uprated to match Pension Credit rates
  • premiums paid to disabled people receiving working age benefits and to Employment and Support Allowance claimants in the Support Group, will increase by CPI at 3.1% in FYE March 2023
  • Working Age benefits (main rates and certain premiums and additions), including the CPI at 3.1% from April 2022

6. The higher and middle rate invalidity allowances and age additions payable with Incapacity Benefit (IB) will be increased from April 2022.

Uprating of social security benefits: general

7. The following regulations allow you to take account of these rates on 1 April 2022 as appropriate:

a. Regulations 42(8) and 79(3) of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006
b. Regulations 41(9), 41(10) and 59(3) of the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006

Associated guidance is set out in HB/CTB Guidance Manual at BP2 P2.790.

8. There is no provision in regulations to uprate a claimant’s social security benefit other than by using the correct amount. Most claimants will know their rates of benefit well before April each year.

9. We are aware that many local authorities’ (LAs) IT systems apply a percentage increase to uprate income from other social security benefits in the assessment of HB. In previous years we have advised that this method should, in most cases, produce accurate results; providing the LA has satisfied itself as to the accuracy of its method, it should be able to meet its duty to make proper determinations.

10. However, given the fact that in recent years some of the components paid in addition to the main rates of some benefits and the main rates themselves have been uprated by different indices, LAs should consider carefully whether applying standard percentages will result in correct determinations.

11. LAs should also take into account that specific Automated Transfers to LA Systems (ATLAS) uprating notifications are issued for all benefits on the Customer Information System (CIS) except for:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • State Retirement Pension
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Severe Disability Allowance
  • Bereavement Benefits
  • Widow’s Benefit

12. Should an LA decide to apply a percentage increase to uprate income, as a minimum, any information subsequently received via ATLAS should be compared with existing LA system data to ensure it matches.

13. From December 2019, LAs have had the facility to use the automation of the Pensions Strategy Computer System (PSCS) uprating process. This allows LAs to use an Application Programme Interface (API) to look up the PSCS benefit amount when needed and removes the requirement for LAs to manually apply the uprating increase to the PSCS amount when conducting their yearly uprating review of claimants’ HB claims as the uprating process can be automated.

14. This solution is available for all LAs that are live with CIS Interest Automation and completed the connectivity and testing for the PSCS solution. LAs IT software suppliers provide the full guidance. However, if you require further information regarding the new PSCS solution, you should email [email protected]

Tax Credits

15. Any changes to Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit (see Appendix E: Annex 1) will be effective from 6 April 2022 in line with the start of the new tax year.

16. ATLAS will notify tax credit information to LAs. All the current and new tax credit rates will available on GOV.UK from April 2022.

War Pensions

17. The new rates for War Pensions are not yet available and details of the new rates will be issued via a separate circular once Veterans UK release the figures.

Specific points of interest

Non-dependant deductions in HB

18. The deduction and income bands will increase for the FYE March and can be found at Appendices A and B.

Disregards in HB which remain unchanged

19. The childcare disregards in HB in line with Working Tax Credit weekly equivalents, remain at:

a. £175.00 for one child
b. £300.00 for 2 or more children

20. The additional earnings disregard in HB that can be applied to those entitled to Working Tax Credit is £17.10. See HB Guidance manual BW2 paragraphs BW2.132-2.140.

Deductions for ineligible fuel charges

21. The CPI for fuel and lighting in September 2021 was 2.8% and the government has decided to increase the rates for statutory fuel deductions from HB for the FYE March 2023. The rates for statutory fuel deductions are shown in Appendix A.

One room rate deduction

22. The formula for the one room rate deduction is set out in HB Regulations 2006 at Schedule 1, part 2, paragraph 6(2)(a) to (c) and (3). Sub-paragraph (3) states the ineligible amount for service charges when the accommodation consists of only one room shall be one half of the aggregate of the amounts specified in sub-paragraph (2)(a), (b) and (c), see Appendices A and B.

State Pension Credit: maximum Savings Credit

23. The amount of the maximum Savings Credit will be £14.48 for a single person and £16.20 for a couple. These figures cannot be used to calculate a likely Savings Credit entitlement from April 2022. Savings Credit is calculated on an individual basis, using the income and capital of that person. In addition, HB (SPC) Regulation 27 states that the Pension Service calculation of income, capital and Savings Credit must be used.

National Insurance contribution rates

24. A full set of rates for the FYE March 2023 will be available on GOV.UK from 6 April 2022.

Establishing eligible rent

25. The calculation of eligible rent for a claimant renting in the social and private sectors is not affected by this circular or by the uprating of benefits overall. It continues to subject to the rules in Part 3 of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 and Part 3 of the HB (SPC) Regulations 2006.

Universal Credit amounts

26. The amounts shown in Appendix C of Annex 5 for the Universal Credit (UC) standard allowances in the FYE March 2022 are those which applied from October 2021 when the £20 uplift to UC ended.

Appendix A: Housing Benefit for people of working age

Housing Benefit rates for people who have not reached the qualifying age for State Pension Credit April 2021 (£ Weekly) April 2022 (£ Weekly)
Personal Allowances    
Single    
16 to 24 59.20 61.05
25 or over 74.70 77.00
Any age - entitled to main phase rate Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 74.70 77.00
Lone parent    
Under 18 59.20 61.05
18 or over 74.70 77.00
Any age - entitled to main phase rate ESA 74.70 77.00
Couple    
Both under 18 89.45 92.20
One or both over 18 117.40 121.05
Any age - entitled to main phase rate ESA 117.40 121.05
Polygamous marriages    
If the claimant is a member of a polygamous marriage and no members of the marriage have attained pensionable age    
For the claimant and the other party to the marriage 117.40 121.05
For each additional spouse who is a member of the same household as the claimant 42.70 44.05
Dependent children    
From birth to September following 16th birthday 68.60 70.80
From September following 16th birthday to day before 20th birthday 68.60 70.80
Premiums    
Family Premium 17.65 17.85
Family Premium (lone parent rate) 22.20 22.20
Disability Premium    
Single 35.10 36.20
Couple 50.05 51.60
Enhanced Disability Premium    
Single rate 17.20 17.75
Couple rate 24.60 25.35
Disabled child rate 26.67 27.44
Severe Disability Premium    
Single 67.30 69.40
Couple (one qualifies) 67.30 69.40
Couple (both qualify) 134.60 138.80
Disabled Child Premium 65.94 68.04
Carer Premium 37.70 38.85
Components ESA income related (IR) and ESA (contribution-based)    
Work-related activity component 29.70 30.60
Support component 39.40 40.60
Deductions    
Non-dependant deductions    
Aged under 25 and on Income Support (IS) or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA(IB)) or ESA(IR) which does not include an amount for the support component or work-related activity component or UC where the award is calculated on the basis that the non-dependant does not have any earned income Nil Nil
Aged 25 or over and on IS or JSA(IB), or aged 18 or over and not in remunerative work 15.95 16.45
In receipt of main phase ESA(IR) (any age) 15.95 16.45
In receipt of Pension Credit Nil Nil
Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work    
- gross income: less than £154 15.95 16.45
- gross income: £154 to £223.99 36.65 37.80
- gross income: £224 to £291.99 50.30 51.85
- gross income: £292 to £388.99 82.30 84.85
- gross income: £389 to £483.99 93.70 96.60
- gross income: £484 and above 102.85 106.05
Fuel deductions    
Heating 34.30 35.25
Hot water 4.00 4.10
Lighting 2.75 2.85
Cooking 4.00 4.10
All fuel 45.05 46.30
Fuel deductions one room    
Heating and hot water and/or lighting 20.53 21.10
Cooking 4.00 4.10
Amounts ineligible for meals    
Three or more meals a day    
Single claimant 29.20 30.10
Each person in family aged 16 or over 29.20 30.10
Each child under 16 14.80 15.25
Less than 3 meals a day    
Single claimant 19.45 20.05
Each person in the family aged 16 or over 19.45 20.05
Each child under 16 9.75 10.05
Breakfast only - claimant and each member of family 3.60 3.70
Disregards    
Childcare charges 175.00 175.00
Childcare charges (2 or more children) 300.00 300.00
Additional earnings 17.10 17.10
Income from sub-tenants 20.00 20.00
Permitted earnings – higher 143.00 152.00
Permitted earnings – lower 20.00 20.00
Recovery of overpayments    
Non-fraudulent overpayments 11.25 11.55
Fraudulent overpayments 18.75 19.25
Capital limits    
Upper limit 16,000 16,000
Lower limit 6,000 6,000

Appendix B: Housing Benefit for people of State Pension Credit age

Housing Benefit rates for people who have reached the qualifying age for State Pension Credit April 2021 (£ Weekly) April 2022 (£ Weekly)
Personal Allowances    
Single claimant who has attained pensionable age 191.15 197.10
Single claimant who has attained pensionable age on or after 1 April 2021 177.10 182.60
Lone parent who has attained pensionable age 191.15 197.10
Lone parent who has attained pensionable age on or after 1 April 2021 177.10 182.60
Couple    
One member or both members have attained pensionable age before 1 April 2021 286.05 294.90
Both members have attained pensionable age on or after 1 April 2021 270.30 278.70
Polygamous Marriages    
If the claimant is a member of a polygamous marriage and one or more of the members of the marriage have attained pensionable age before 1 April 2021    
For the claimant and the other party to the marriage 286.05 294.90
For each additional spouse who is a member of the same household as the claimant 94.90 97.80
If the claimant is a member of a polygamous marriage and all of the members of the marriage have attained pensionable age on or after 1 April 2021    
For the claimant and the other party to the marriage 270.30 278.70
For each additional spouse who is a member of the same household as the claimant 93.20 96.10
Dependent children    
From birth to September following 16th birthday 68.60 70.80
From September following 16th birthday to day before 20th birthday 68.60 70.80
Premiums    
Family Premium 17.65 17.85
Severe Disability Premium    
Single 67.30 69.40
Couple (one qualifies) 67.30 69.40
Couple (both qualify) 134.60 138.80
Enhanced Disability Premium    
Disabled child rate 26.67 27.44
Disabled Child Premium 65.94 68.04
Carer Premium 37.70 38.85
Non-dependant deductions    
Aged under 25 and on Income Support (IS) or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA(IB)) or ESA(IR) which does not include an amount for the support component or work-related activity component or UC where the award is calculated on the basis that the non-dependant does not have any earned income Nil Nil
Aged 25 or over and on IS or JSA(IB) or aged over 18 or over and not in remunerative work 15.95 16.45
In receipt of main phase ESA(IR) (any age) 15.95 16.45 ​
In receipt of State Pension Credit Nil Nil
Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work    
- gross income: less than £154 15.95 16.45
- gross income: £154 to £223.99 36.65 37.80
- gross income: £224 to £291.99 50.30 51.85
- gross income: £292 to £388.99 82.30 84.85
- gross income: £389 to £483.99 93.70 96.60
- gross income: £484 and above 102.85 106.05
Fuel deductions    
Heating 34.30 35.25
Hot water 4.00 4.10
Lighting 2.75 2.85
Cooking 4.00 4.10
All fuel 45.05 46.30
Fuel deductions for one room    
Heating and hot water and/or lighting 20.53 21.10
Cooking 4.00 4.10
Amounts ineligible for meals    
Three or more meals a day    
Single claimant 29.20 30.10
Each person in family aged 16 or over 29.20 30.10
Each child under 16 14.80 15.25
Less than 3 meals a day    
Single claimant 19.45 20.05
Each person in the family aged 16 or over 19.45 20.05
Each child under 16 9.75 10.05
Breakfast only – claimant and each member of family 3.60 3.70
Disregards    
Childcare charges 175.00 175.00
Childcare charges (2 or more children) 300.00 300.00
Additional earnings disregard 17.10 17.10
Income from sub-tenants 20.00 20.00
Permitted earnings – higher 143.00 152.00
Permitted earnings – lower 20.00 20.00
Recovery of Overpayments    
Standard Rate (Non-fraud debt) 11.25 11.55
Maximum Rate (Fraud classified debt) 18.75 19.25
Capital limits    
Upper limit – State Pension Credit guarantee credit not in payment 16,000 16,000
Upper limit – State Pension Credit guarantee credit in payment No limit No limit
Lower limit – above the qualifying age for State Pension Credit 10,000 10,000

Appendix C – Annex 1: Income Support rates

Income Support rates April 2021 £ weekly April 2022 £ weekly
Personal Allowances    
Single    
Under 25 59.20 61.05
Aged 25 or over 74.70 77.00
Lone parent    
Under 18 59.20 61.05
18 or over 74.70 77.00
Couple    
Both under 18 59.20 61.05
Both under 18 - higher rate (for example, with responsibility for a child) 89.45 92.20
One under 18, one 18 to 24 59.20 61.05
One under 18, one aged 25 or over 74.70 77.00
Both 18 or over 117.40 121.05
Dependent children    
From birth to September following 16th birthday 68.60 70.80
From September following 16th birthday to day before 20th birthday 68.60 70.80
Premiums    
Family Premium 17.65 17.85
Family Premium (lone parent rate) 17.65 17.85
Pensioner Premium (couples only) 152.90 157.65
Disability Premium    
Single 35.10 36.20
Couple 50.05 51.60
Enhanced Disability Premium    
Single rate 17.20 17.75
Couple rate 24.60 25.35
Disabled child rate 26.67 27.44
Severe Disability Premium    
Single 67.30 69.40
Couple (one qualifies) 67.30 69.40
Couple (both qualify) 134.60 138.80
Disabled Child Premium 65.94 68.04
Carer Premium 37.70 38.85
Capital limits    
Upper 16,000 16,000
Lower 6,000 6,000

Appendix C – Annex 2: Jobseeker’s Allowance rates

Jobseeker’s Allowance rates April 2021 £ weekly April 2022 £ weekly
Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance    
Personal Rates    
Under 25 59.20 61.05
Aged 25 or over 74.70 77.00
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance    
Personal Allowances    
Single    
Under 25 59.20 61.05
Aged 25 or over 74.70 77.00
Lone parent    
Under 18 59.20 61.05
18 or over 74.70 77.00
Couple    
Both under 18 59.20 61.05
Both under 18 - higher rate (for example, with responsibility for a child) 89.45 92.20
One under 18, one 18 to 24 59.20 61.05
One under 18, one aged 25 or over 74.70 77.00
Both 18 or over 117.40 121.05
Dependent children    
From birth to September following 16th birthday 68.60 70.80
From September following 16th birthday to day before 20th birthday 68.60 70.80
Premiums    
Family Premium 17.65 17.85
Family Premium (lone parent rate) 17.65 17.85
Pensioner Premium    
Single 102.40 105.60
Couple 152.90 157.65
Disability Premium    
Single 35.10 36.20
Couple 50.05 51.60
Enhanced Disability Premium    
Single 17.20 17.75
Couple 24.60 25.35
Disabled child rate 26.67 27.44
Severe Disability Premium    
Single 67.30 69.40
Couple (one qualifies) 67.30 69.40
Couple (both qualify) 134.60 138.80
Disabled child premium 65.94 68.04
Carer Premium 37.70 38.85
Capital limits    
Upper 16,000 16,000
Lower 6,000 6,000

Appendix C – Annex 3: Employment and Support Allowance rates

Employment and Support Allowance rates April 2021 £ weekly April 2022 £ weekly
Personal Allowances    
Single    
Under 25 and in Assessment Phase 59.20 61.05
Aged 25 or over 74.70 77.00
Any age and in Main Phase 74.70 77.00
Lone parent    
Aged under 18 and in Assessment Phase 59.20 61.05
Aged 18 or over 74.70 77.00
Any age and in Main Phase 74.70 77.00
Couple    
Both under 18 and in Assessment Phase 59.20 61.05
Both under 18 with responsibility for a child and in Assessment Phase 89.45 92.20
Both under 18 and in Main Phase 74.70 77.00
Both under 18 with responsibility for a child and in Main Phase 117.40 121.05
One 18 or over and the other while under 18, also satisfies certain conditions 117.40 121.05
Both 18 or over 117.40 121.05
Claimant under 25 and in Assessment Phase and partner under 18 59.20 61.05
Claimant 25 or over and in Assessment Phase and partner under 18 74.70 77.00
Claimant in Main Phase and partner under 18 74.70 77.00
Premiums    
Carer Premium 37.70 38.85
Enhanced Disability Premium    
Single 17.20 17.75
Couple 24.60 25.35
Pensioner Premium    
Single and in Assessment Phase 102.40 105.60
Single, entitled to work-related activity component 72.20 75.00
Single, entitled to support component 63.00 65.00
Couple, and in Assessment Phase 152.90 157.65
Couple, entitled to work-related activity component 123.20 127.05
Couple, entitled to support component 113.50 117.05
Severe Disability Premium    
Single 67.30 69.40
Couple (one qualifies) 67.30 69.40
Couple (both qualify) 134.60 138.80
Components    
Work-related activity component 29.70 30.60
Support component 39.40 40.60
Capital limits    
Upper 16,000 16,000
Lower 6,000 6,000

Appendix C – Annex 4: State Pension Credit rates

State Pension Credit rates April 2021 £ weekly April 2022 £ weekly
Standard Guarantee Credit    
Single 177.10 182.60
Couple 270.30 278.70
Additional amount for severe disability    
Single 67.30 69.40
Couple (one qualifies) 67.30 69.40
Couple (both qualify) 134.60 138.80
Polygamous marriages    
Amount for claimant and first spouse 270.30 278.70
Amount for additional spouse 93.20 96.10
Additional amount for Carers (Carer Premium) 37.70 38.85
Savings credit    
Threshold – single 153.70 158.47
Threshold – couple 244.12 251.70
Maximum – single 14.04 14.48
Maximum – couple 15.71 16.20
Dependent children    
First child born before 1 April 2017 65.10 66.85
Subsequent children 54.60 56.35
Disabled child    
Lower rate 29.66 30.58
Higher rate 92.54 95.48

Appendix C – Annex 5: Universal Credit rates (monthly rates)

UC rates (monthly rates) April 2021 £ weekly April 2022 £ weekly
Standard Allowance / Element    
Single    
Under 25 257.33 265.31
25 or over 324.84 334.91
Couple    
Both under 25 403.93 416.45
One or both 25 or over 509.91 525.72
Child element    
First child (born before 6 April 2017) 282.50 290.00
First child (born on or after 6 April 2017) / Second or subsequent child 237.08 244.58
Additional amount for disabled child or qualifying young person    
Lower rate 128.89 132.89
Higher rate 402.41 414.88
Limited capability for work / limited capability for work and work-related activity elements    
Limited capability for work 128.89 132.89
Limited capability for work and work-related activity 343.63 354.28
Non-dependants’ housing cost contributions 75.53 77.87
Carer Element 163.73 168.81

Appendix D: Other contributory and non-contributory social security rates

Other contributory and non-contributory social security rates April 2021 £ weekly April 2022 £ weekly
Attendance Allowance    
Higher rate 89.60 92.40
Lower rate 60.00 61.85
Bereavement Benefits    
Widowed Parent’s Allowance 122.55 126.35
Bereavement Allowance    
Standard Rate 122.55 126.35
Age-related rate    
Age 54 113.97 117.51
Age 53 105.39 108.66
Age 52 96.81 99.82
Age 51 88.24 90.97
Age 50 79.66 82.13
Age 49 71.08 73.28
Age 48 62.50 64.44
Age 47 53.92 55.59
Age 46 45.34 46.75
Age 45 36.77 37.91
Bereavement Support Payment    
Lump sum    
Higher rate 3,500 3,500
Lower rate 2,500 2,500
Monthly payments    
Higher rate 350.00 350.00
Lower rate 100.00 100.00
Carer’s Allowance    
Standard rate 67.60 69.70
Disability Living Allowance    
Care component    
Higher rate 89.60 92.40
Middle rate 60.00 61.85
Lower rate 23.70 24.45
Mobility component    
Higher rate 62.55 64.50
Lower rate 23.70 24.45
Incapacity Benefit    
Long-term Incapacity Benefit    
Single 114.70 118.25
Spouse or adult dependant (where appropriate) 66.65 68.70
Short term Incapacity Benefit (under pension age)    
Lower rate 86.55 89.25
Higher rate 102.40 105.55
Spouse or adult dependant (where appropriate) 51.90 53.50
Short-term Incapacity Benefit (over pension age)    
Lower rate 110.05 113.45
Higher rate 114.70 118.25
Spouse or adult dependant (where appropriate) 64.10 66.10
Increase of long-term Incapacity Benefit for age    
Higher rate 12.15 12.55
Lower rate 6.75 6.95
Invalidity Allowance (transitional) for Incapacity Benefit recipients    
Higher rate 12.15 12.55
Middle rate 6.75 6.95
Lower rate 6.75 6.95
Industrial Death Benefit    
Widow’s Pension    
Higher rate 137.60 141.85
Lower rate 41.28 42.56
Widower’s pension 137.60 141.85
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit    
Disablement Benefit (100% assessment) 182.90 188.60
Unemployability supplement 113.10 116.60
Reduced earnings allowance (maximum) 73.16 75.44
Maternity Allowance    
Standard Rate 151.97 156.66
Threshold 30.00 30.00
Personal Independence Payment    
Daily Living Component    
Standard Rate 60.00 61.85
Enhanced Rate 89.60 92.40
Mobility component    
Standard rate 23.70 24.45
Enhanced rate 62.55 64.50
Severe Disablement Allowance    
Basic rate 81.25 83.75
Spouse or other adult dependant (where appropriate) 39.95 41.20
Age-related additions    
Higher rate 12.15 12.55
Middle rate 6.75 6.95
Lower rate 6.75 6.95
Old State Pension    
Category A or B (Single Person) 137.60 141.85
Category B (lower) – spouse or civil partner’s insurance 82.45 85.00
Category C (higher) or Category D non-contributory 82.45 85.00
Additional State Pension – rate may vary 0.50% 3.10%
Increments to:    
Basic State Pension 0.50% 3.10%
Additional State Pension 0.50% 3.10%
Graduated Retirement Benefit 0.50% 3.10%
Inheritable lump sum 0.50% 3.10%
Addition at age 80 0.25 0.25
Increase in respect of long-term incapacity for age: 0.50% 3.10%
Higher rate 23.40 24.15
Lower rate 11.75 12.10
Invalidity Allowance (transitional)    
Higher rate 23.40 24.15
Middle rate 15.00 15.50
Lower rate 7.50 7.75
New State Pension (full rate) 179.60 185.15
Statutory Adoption Pay    
Earnings threshold 120.00 123.00
Standard rate 151.97 156.66
Statutory Maternity Pay    
Earnings threshold 120.00 123.00
Standard rate 151.97 156.66
Statutory Paternity Pay    
Earnings threshold 120.00 123.00
Standard rate 151.97 156.66
Statutory Shared Parental Pay    
Earnings threshold 120.00 123.00
Standard rate 151.97 156.66
Statutory Sick Pay    
Earnings threshold 120.00 123.00
Standard rate 96.35 99.35

Appendix E: Non-social security payments and rates

Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance rates 2021-2022 £ a year (unless stated) 2022-23 £ a year (unless stated)
Working Tax Credit    
Basic element 2,005 2,070
Couple and lone parent element 2,060 2,125
Thirty Hour element 830 860
Disabled worker element 3,240 3,345
Severe disability element 1,400 1,445
Childcare element of Working Tax Credit    
Maximum eligible cost of one child (per week) 175 175
Maximum eligible cost for two or more children (per week) 300 300
Percentage of eligible costs covered 70% 70%
Child Tax Credit    
Family element 545 545
Child element 2,845 2,935
Disabled child element 3,435 3,545
Severely disabled child element 4,825 4,975
Income thresholds and withdrawal rates    
Income threshold 6,565 6,770
Withdrawal rate (percent %) 41% 41%
Threshold for those entitled to Child Tax Credit only 16,480 17,005
Income rise disregard 2,500 2,500
Income fall disregard 2,500 2,500
Child Benefit (weekly)    
Eldest / only child 21.15 21.80
Other children 14.00 14.45
Guardian’s Allowance (weekly) 18.00 18.55