Benefits changes
If you need advice on planning your finances you can contact the Haringey Citizens Advice Bureau (external link) or the London Capital Credit Union.
Benefit changes in 2023
The following sections briefly outline changes the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have confirmed for 2023.
- Working age benefits and credits
- Local Housing Allowance Rates
- Pension Credit age changes for couples
- State Pension age dates
Working age benefits and credits
Benefits and credits for people of working age increase from April 2023. The main ones are:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker's Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (and the Work-related and Support components)
- Child Benefit
- Working and Child Tax Credit
Other working age benefits including disability-related benefits and the carer's allowance also increase.
Non-dependant deductions
Non-dependant deduction rates and income bands increase from April 2023 in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.
The rates and income bands are on our Non-Dependant deductions page.
Local Housing Allowance Rates in Haringey
There are no increases to Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in Haringey from April 2023.
The rates are available on our LHA Rates page.
Pension Credit age changes for couples
Since 15 May 2019 most couples can only get Pension Credit when the younger member of the couple reaches pension age.
If you get Pension Credit
If you have been getting Pension Credit continuously since 14 May 2019 you will continue to get it unless you have a break in your award.
If you get Housing Benefit
If have been getting Housing Benefit continuously since 14 May 2019 you can get Pension Credit unless you have a break in your Housing Benefit.
If you stop getting Pension Credit and Housing Benefit
If you or your partner are under pension age and you stop getting Pension Credit and Housing Benefit you have to apply for Universal Credit.
If you are single and get Pension Credit
If you are single and start living with a partner who has not reached pension age your Pension Credit will stop and you will have to apply for Universal Credit.
If you stop getting Pension Credit your Housing Benefit is also likely to end.
If you get Council Tax Reduction
You will qualify for pensioner Council Tax Reduction even if your Pension Credit and Housing Benefit stop as long as you or your partner are or reach pension age and neither of you get:
- Income Support, or
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
- Universal Credit
Further information
State Pension age dates
State pension age is increasing for men and women born after 5 December 1953.
The age increased from 65 to 66 for people born between 6 December 1953 and 5 October 1954.
The state pension age for people born after 5 October 1954 is shown in the table below.
| Date of birth | State pension age |
|---|---|
| 6 October 1954 - 5 April 1960 | 66 |
| 6 April 1960 - 5 March 1961 | 66 to 67 |
| 6 March 1961 - 5 April 1977 | 67 |
| 6 April 1977 - 5 April 1978 | 67 to 68 |
| On or after 6 April 1978 | 68 |
Check the date you reach your state pension age - GOV.UK (external link).