#2026/59The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2026
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This statutory rule updates the weekly and monthly rates of most social security benefits, pensions, and allowances in Northern Ireland effective from April 2026. It increases rates for state pension, disability benefits, jobseeker's allowance, employment and support allowance, income support, housing benefit, and universal credit elements in line with the corresponding Great Britain up-rating order. The Order also adjusts statutory maternity pay, sick pay, and bereavement payments, and updates applicable amounts and premiums for means-tested benefits. It revokes the previous year's up-rating order.
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Key Changes
- Increases rates of contributory and non-contributory benefits under the Contributions and Benefits Act as listed in Schedule 1
- Updates applicable amounts and personal allowances for Income Support, Housing Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance in Schedules 2-12
- Raises amounts of Universal Credit elements specified in the table in regulation 38 as per Schedule 13
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Obligations
What this law requires
Implement updated weekly and monthly rates for state pension, disability benefits, jobseeker's allowance, employment and support allowance, income support, housing benefit, and universal credit elements effective from April 2026 as specified in Schedules 1-13
Update statutory sick pay rates in accordance with Article 8 effective from the date specified in Article 7
Update statutory maternity pay rates in accordance with Article 9 effective from the date specified in Article 7
Apply revised applicable amounts and premiums for means-tested benefits including income support, housing benefit, jobseeker's allowance, and employment and support allowance as specified in Schedules 2-12
Update disability living allowance rates in accordance with Article 14