Date of rate changes

Benefit and tax credit rates change every April. You can use our year selector to choose whether you would like to calculate the amount you are entitled to in the new tax and benefit year (2010/11) or the year which is ending (2009/10). The exact date when changes take effect varies from between different benefits. Dates for April 2010 are below. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit New rates and allowances for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are timed to coincide with the new Council Tax year and the week in which many rents change. In 2010 new rates will take effect on Thursday 1 April 2010 for Council Tax Benefit and those Housing Benefit cases where rent is paid monthly (or multiples of a week). When rent is paid on a weekly basis Housing Benefit rates will increase on Monday 5 April 2010. Other benefits New rates and allowances for means-tested benefits (Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit) are increased (uprated) on the first Monday after 6 April (the start of the tax year). Rates also increase for the majority of other social security benefits on this date. In 2010 benefits rates will increase on Monday 12 April 2010. This is the first Monday after 6 April. Tax and Tax Credits The assessment year for both tax and tax credits runs from 6th April one year to April 5th the next year. This is known as a ‘tax year’. Rates are increased on the first day of the tax year, which in 2010/11 is Tuesday 6 April 2010. If you are already claiming benefits or tax credits you will automatically be contacted about changes in rates when this affects your entitlement.

Benefit and tax credit rates change every April. You can use our year selector to choose whether you would like to calculate the amount you are entitled to in the new tax and benefit year (2010/11) or the year which is ending (2009/10).

The exact date when changes take effect varies from between different benefits. Dates for April 2010 are below.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

New rates and allowances for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are timed to coincide with the new Council Tax year and the week in which many rents change.

In 2010 new rates will take effect on Thursday 1 April 2010 for Council Tax Benefit and those Housing Benefit cases where rent is paid monthly (or multiples of a week). When rent is paid on a weekly basis Housing Benefit rates will increase on Monday 5 April 2010.

Other benefits

New rates and allowances for means-tested benefits (Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit) are increased (uprated) on the first Monday after 6 April (the start of the tax year). Rates also increase for the majority of other social security benefits on this date.

In 2010 benefits rates will increase on Monday 12 April 2010. This is the first Monday after 6 April.

Tax and Tax Credits

The assessment year for both tax and tax credits runs from 6th April one year to April 5th the next year. This is known as a ‘tax year’. Rates are increased on the first day of the tax year, which in 2010/11 is Tuesday 6 April 2010.

If you are already claiming benefits or tax credits you will automatically be contacted about changes in rates when this affects your entitlement.