GovData Docs

Benefits API Reference

UK statutory payments, child benefit, and universal credit rates.

Base URL: https://api.govdata.dev/v1

Statutory Payments

GET /v1/benefits/statutory-payments/rates

Weekly rates for SSP, SMP, SPP, SAP, ShPP, and SPBP.

Query parameters

Parameter Type Required Description
tax_year string No Tax year in YYYY-YY format. Defaults to current year. 
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  https://api.govdata.dev/v1/benefits/statutory-payments/rates

Response

{
  "data": {
    "tax_year": "2025-26",
    "payments": [
      { "type": "SSP", "name": "Statutory Sick Pay", "weekly_rate": 116.75 },
      { "type": "SMP", "name": "Statutory Maternity Pay", "weekly_rate": 184.03, "notes": "First 6 weeks at 90% of average earnings" },
      { "type": "SPP", "name": "Statutory Paternity Pay", "weekly_rate": 184.03 },
      { "type": "SAP", "name": "Statutory Adoption Pay", "weekly_rate": 184.03 },
      { "type": "ShPP", "name": "Shared Parental Pay", "weekly_rate": 184.03 },
      { "type": "SPBP", "name": "Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay", "weekly_rate": 184.03 }
    ]
  },
  "meta": {
    "api_version": "v1",
    "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
    "source": "GOV.UK",
    "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay"
  }
}

Child Benefit

GET /v1/benefits/child-benefit/rates

Child benefit weekly rates and High Income Child Benefit Charge thresholds.

Query parameters

Parameter Type Required Description
tax_year string No Tax year in YYYY-YY format. Defaults to current year. 
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  https://api.govdata.dev/v1/benefits/child-benefit/rates

Response

{
  "data": {
    "tax_year": "2025-26",
    "rates": {
      "eldest_or_only_child_weekly": 26.05,
      "additional_children_weekly": 17.25
    },
    "high_income_charge": {
      "threshold": 60000,
      "taper_end": 80000,
      "notes": "1% of benefit clawed back per £200 of income above threshold"
    }
  },
  "meta": {
    "api_version": "v1",
    "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
    "source": "GOV.UK",
    "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-rates"
  }
}

Universal Credit

GET /v1/benefits/universal-credit/rates

Universal Credit component rates: standard allowance, child elements, disability, carer, and housing.

Query parameters

Parameter Type Required Description
tax_year string No Tax year in YYYY-YY format. Defaults to current year. 
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  https://api.govdata.dev/v1/benefits/universal-credit/rates

Response

{
  "data": {
    "tax_year": "2025-26",
    "standard_allowance": {
      "single_under_25": 311.68,
      "single_25_or_over": 393.45,
      "couple_both_under_25": 489.23,
      "couple_one_or_both_25_or_over": 617.56
    },
    "child_elements": {
      "first_child": 333.33,
      "second_and_subsequent": 287.92,
      "disabled_child_lower": 156.11,
      "disabled_child_higher": 487.58
    },
    "other_elements": {
      "limited_capability_for_work": 416.19,
      "carer": 198.31
    }
  },
  "meta": {
    "api_version": "v1",
    "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
    "source": "GOV.UK",
    "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get"
  }
}

Benefits data is sourced from GOV.UK and updated at the start of each tax year. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Data Coverage

Source DWP / HMRC / GOV.UK
Date range 2020-21 to 2025-26 tax years
Records Statutory payments, child benefit, universal credit rates
Updated Annually
Limitations Historical rates before 2020-21 not yet available