Universal Credit changes 'may see lower payments for people with six conditions'

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

The Government is set to introduce a range of benefits reforms that could see some disabled people lose out on payments, campaigners fear
Campaigners have raised the alarm that some disabled recipients of Universal Credit could face a decrease in their payments due to new Government regulations. Labour is on the brink of implementing significant alterations to the benefits system, which will lead to reduced Universal Credit payments for new claimants.
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A bill aimed at reducing welfare expenditure was considerably diluted last month after a revolt by backbench MPs. Nonetheless, some MPs and disability campaigners warn that benefit recipients with severe, lifelong illnesses could see their out-of-work benefits slashed by half under the proposed reforms.
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Concerns have been expressed that individuals suffering from degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as those with serious mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, could be impacted. Campaigners contend that people with these conditions could miss out on the Universal Credit health component, which is worth roughly £3,000 per year, according to the Manchester Evening News.
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MPs urge for delays to any welfare reductions
The Work and Pensions Committee's MPs have called for the cut to be postponed until an independent impact assessment of the changes can be conducted. Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, told The i newspaper that ministers should rethink the criteria for the higher rate of Universal Credit.
"The bill creates a two-tier system which will result in people with identical conditions being treated entirely differently, based on an arbitrary cut-off point. There is no justice or equity in that. It's simply not the right thing to do," he stated.
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Ian Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, has lambasted the government's decision, describing it as "reckless to go ahead with the planned cuts" without first carrying out an impact assessment. James Taylor, head of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, has raised alarms over the proposed changes, said: "We are worried that the changes to the health component of Universal Credit will create a two-tier system where some disabled people receive more support than others."
He added: "We believe this approach is unfair and that it does not reflect the realities of disabled people's lives."
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a benefit designed to provide financial assistance on a monthly basis to those in need. For individuals aged 25 or above, the standard rate of Universal Credit stands at £400.14 per month.
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However, for those living with a disability or chronic health condition, there's an option to apply for an additional sum of £422.37 through the incapacity element.
This effectively means the total amount could more than double. According to officials, current recipients of Universal Credit will be protected from any alterations brought about by the Welfare Reform Bill.
Yet new claimants will see their payment cut to £217.26. Only those who meet a "severe conditions criteria" will receive the full amount, a move officials say is designed to protect individuals with severe, lifelong conditions.
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However, disability advocacy groups have raised concerns that individuals with degenerative or fluctuating conditions could receive reduced payments under the new system, which requires health conditions to be constant.
The exact conditions at risk are not yet fully known as the "severe conditions" criteria has not been finalised. However, anti-poverty charity Z2K has identified at least six health conditions that may be adversely affected by the changes.
These include:
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Autism
Schizophrenia
Dementia
Bipolar disorder
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's
Furthermore, a select committee report on the matter mentions ME, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and eating disorders as having the potential to be impacted. The assessment for claimants will focus on the effects of their condition rather than the condition itself. No conditions are automatically excluded from the "severe conditions" criteria, which will apply to all health conditions and disabilities.
Ayla Ozmen, director of policy and campaigns at Z2K, warned The Sun: "Disabled people with conditions like Parkinsons, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis are at risk of losing out on over £200 per month as a result of cuts to the Universal Credit health element which have been approved by parliament.
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"Contrary to government claims, we fear that many of the disabled people affected will never be able to work because of their conditions. We're calling on the government to clarify how it will ensure that disabled people with severe conditions will be protected under these plans."
In response to welfare critics, a Government spokesperson said: "Our welfare reforms will support those who can work into jobs and ensure there is always a safety net for those that need it. Our assessment of the pact indicates that our reforms will lift 50,000 children out of poverty – and our additional employment support will elevate even more families from poverty.
"The reforms will recalibrate Universal Credit rates to eliminate the perverse incentives that keep people out of work, whilst genuinely assisting disabled individuals and those with long-term health conditions into good, secure work – supported by £3.8billion in employment support over this parliament.
"We are also addressing poverty by extending free school meals to all households on Universal Credit, helping to tackle holiday hunger with our Crisis and Resilience Fund, supporting over a million households by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions, and delivering the largest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, as part of our Plan for Change."