The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is handing 12 million pensioners monthly payments of up to £1,045.23 from April, thanks to a triple lock change.

The start of the new tax year on April 6 ushered in new payment rates for a swathe of benefits and pensions, giving claimants a welcome boost of cash from this month. The new State Pension rates are determined in line with the triple lock, which is based on the highest out of three factors. These are the consumer price index (CPI) measure of inflation (measured for September in the previous year), average wage growth between May and July of the previous year, or 2.5%.

Average wage growth was the highest out of these factors last year at 4.8%, so payments have been uplifted in line with this figure for the new tax year.

The increase, which applies from April 6, means the full new State Pension is now worth £241.30 per week, up from £230.25, giving pensioners a maximum weekly cash boost of £11.05.

As the State Pension is paid every four weeks, it means claimants will get a payment of up to £1,045.63 on average per month, if they qualify for the full rate.

This is up from £997.75 per month on average under the previous rates, meaning pensioners on the full rate will now benefit from an extra £47.88 on average per month.

Over a full year, this amounts to a total of £12,547.60 (up from £11,973 previously), amounting to an overall maximum annual boost of £574.60.

The figures are based on the maximum possible amount for those with a full qualifying National Insurance record, so those without enough qualifying years will receive less.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the government's commitment to the triple lock means pensioners' incomes will rise by up to £2,100 over this Parliament, and this year's uprating will help millions across the UK facing cost of living pressures.

Commenting on the 4.8% increase from April, Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: "After a lifetime of work and contribution, people deserve a decent retirement.

"Raising the State Pensions faster than prices, ensuring it is a pension they can rely on, is how we make that a reality for millions."

As for pensioners on the basic State Pension, rates have also gone up by 4.8% today from £176.45 per week to £184.90 - a weekly increase of £8.45.

Over a full year, this amounts to a total of £9,614.80 in pension payments (up from £9.175.40 previously), giving older pensioners on the full rate an extra £439.40 annually.

Men born before April 6, 1951, and women born before April 6, 1953, receive the basic State Pension, but the amount you get depends on your National Insurance record.

To get the full amount, a man born between 1945 and 1951 usually requires 30 qualifying National Insurance years, while men born before 1945 require 44 qualifying years.

For women, you'll need 30 qualifying years if you were born between 1950 and 1953, or 39 qualifying years if you were born before 1950.

If you have less than the full number of qualifying National Insurance years then your basic State Pension will be less than £184.90 per week from April 6.