DWP plans could see thousands of Universal Credit claimants lose almost £100 a week
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has proposed new plans that could result in thousands of Universal Credit claimants losing nearly £100 each week. Disability Rights UK is battling against government proposals to eliminate access to the health component of Universal Credit, now referred to as the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element, for most adults aged 16-21.
This would apply to those within this age bracket who claim the benefit independently. Campaigners argue that if the proposal is approved, almost 110,000 disabled young adults could lose nearly £100 each week, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
Contact, a charity that assists families with disabled children, says that this could have a "devastating financial impact not only on disabled young adults who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), but also on many who are in education or low-paid employment". It further states that DWP plans push "disabled young adults and their families further away from employment prospects and further into poverty".
The Green Paper recognises that the government needs to "consider what special provisions need to be put in place for those young people where engagement with work or training is not a realistic prospect".
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, stated in a speech on May 21: "Those with the most severe, life-long conditions that will never improve and who can never work will have their Universal Credit protected, including young people aged under 22."
However, campaigners argue that the criteria for severe conditions have an "extremely high threshold". The proposed changes are set to take effect in the 2027/28 financial year.
The Green Paper is also seeking views on extending Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to 18 year olds, rather than stopping it at 16, a move that has Contact's backing.
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The Sun
15 hours ago
- The Sun
Hundreds of thousands of Universal Credit claimants to lose nearly £100 a week in Government overhaul
HUNDREDS of thousands of people on Universal Credit are set to lose almost £100 per week under Government plans. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) previously announced plans to scrap the health component of Universal Credit for under-22s. 1 At the moment, the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element for Universal Credit is applied to most adults aged between 16 to 21 if they're struggling to stay employed due to health issues. But charity Disability Rights UK is now saying the Government plans will affect almost 110,000 disabled adults. It says they will lose nearly £100 a week if the changes come into effect. That equates to almost £400 a month, or £4,800 over the course of a year. The charity says the move will mostly impact disabled young people who are described as NEET - 'Not in Education, Employment or Training' - and are having difficulties getting into the job market. But it will also affect young people who are in work but are in low-paid or part-time jobs and are using Universal Credit to top up their earnings. Disability Rights UK says on its website: "The proposed policy will not just impact young disabled people who are NEET, but also many young disabled people who are in education. "Despite barriers to students claiming UC, it is often possible for those in non-advanced education who have passed the August after their 19th birthday to successfully claim UC as an adult. "Under the current system, low-income families with a disabled 19-year-old already have to contend with a drop in income of at least £29.25 per week when their child stops being treated as a dependent and starts claiming UC in their own right. "However, under the Government's proposal, young disabled people aged under 22 would only receive £73 rather than £170 per week, meaning a much greater drop in household income." I'm on Universal Credit & I don't know how to survive - I even lost £600 because my husband decided to get a job, it's just impossible The Government unveiled a huge benefits shake-up earlier this year as part of plans to save about £5billion a year in welfare payments. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the current system is failing millions with one in 10 working-age Brits now on sickness or disability benefits. She said spending on disability benefits has spiralled by £20billion since the pandemic and pledged to fix the 'broken' system with a reform package. Part of the Government's plans include getting people back into work while protecting the most vulnerable. Research suggests removing access to the health element of Universal Credit for under-22s will not impact 73% of 16 to 24-year-old Brits who fall into the NEET category. How much Universal Credit can you get? TRYING to work out how much Universal Credit you can get can be overwhelming. There are so many different elements that can affect your claim and it makes the whole process even more complicated. There are several free calculators that you can use to help you get an estimate, such as Citizen's Advice, MoneySavingExpert, StepChange and Turn2Us. You will need: Details of all your income, such as existing benefits, tax credits, earnings from employment and your pensions, Details of your partner's income if you're married, in a civil partnership or living with someone as a couple. You will be assessed as a couple Information on any savings you have, How much you pay in council tax per year, and whether you get any discounts, reductions or exemptions, Details of your rent or mortgage payments, Employment and income information about anyone else living with you, such as grown-up children, Details about your carer's allowance if you receive it. You'll need to make sure that the information provided is as accurate as possible to get the truest estimate. What other benefits changes have been announced? The Government's proposed benefits shake-up will see a number of changes come into effect. One that has gained lots of attention is a crackdown on eligibility, particularly for those claiming the main disability benefit Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The number of claimants is expected to double by 2030, with the biggest rise among young people and those with mental health conditions. But from 2026, new claimants will need to score at least four points in one category to qualify as part of a plan to curb the rapid rise in payouts. These are some of the other changes planned:
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Full list of freebies and discounts you can claim in June worth up to £40,000 if you're on PIP
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of people claiming the personal independent payment (PIP) can get access to a range of freebies and discounts this month. PIP is a payment that is given to people with a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition to help with their extra living costs. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Millions of people who receive PIP can get freebies and discounts this month Credit: Getty The payment is worth up to £187.45 a week and the money is paid once a month. To claim it you need to be over the age of 16 but under the state pension age, which is currently 66. You also need to have a health condition or disability that has caused difficulties with daily living, mobility or both for at least three months. PIP is made up of two parts and whether you can claim one or both of these depends on how much your condition impacts you. The daily living part is given to people who need help with everyday tasks. The weekly rate for this is either £73.90 or £110.40. Meanwhile, the mobility part is for people who need help getting around. On this part the weekly rate is either £29.20 or £77.05 - and you could get both elements. In addition to the benefit payments, if you claim PIP then you can also get a range of additional perks and discounts, such as a Blue Badge or capped water bills. Here we reveal a full list of benefits you can claim this month. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Blue badge If you receive PIP then you are automatically eligible for a blue badge if you either: Scored eight points or more in the 'moving around' part of your PIP assessment. Scored ten points in the 'planning and following journeys' section of your PIP assessment and were put in category 'E'. This means your stress, anxiety or other mental health issues stop you from leaving the house. You should be able to find this information on your PIP decision letter. But you can still get a badge if you have long-term problems walking or going to places, including problems caused by stress, anxiety or other mental health issues. What is PIP? HOUSEHOLDS suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition can get extra help through personal independence payments (PIP). The maximum you can receive from the Government benefit is £172.75 a week. PIP is for those over 16 and under the state pension age, currently 66. Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around - or both- for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you're terminally ill with less than 12 months to live). You can also claim PIP if you're in or out of work and if you're already getting limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) payments if you claim Universal Credit. PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you. You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. The weekly rate for this is either £26.90 or £71. While on the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £68.10 or £101.75 - and you could get both elements, so up to £172.75 in total. You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the armed forces independence payment. Make a claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222. You are also eligible if you have severe problems using both arms. You need to contact your local council to apply for a Blue Badge. You can use your PIP award letter to apply but some councils may charge you a fee. The most you can be charged in England is £10 and £20 in Scotland. It is free in Wales. Once you receive the badge you can use car parking spaces that are closer to entrances and may be larger. You can also park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, unless there are loading or unloading restrictions. Discounted days out If you receive PIP then you could get discounts on days out and memberships. You may be able to save on cinemas, theatres, theme parks and zoos. The charity Scope has a guide outlining some of the discounts on offer. To find out more visit If you have a carer then you may also be able to get two for one tickets to hundreds of attractions. For example, your carer may be entitled to discounted or free entry to National Trust and English Heritage properties. Similarly, the UK Cinema Association offers CEA cards that will give your carer a free ticket at participating cinemas. All Merlin Entertainment attractions also offer one complimentary pass per disabled person. Buying a Merlin Annual Pass will get you a free Carer Pass which can be used by anyone assisting you on the day. Benefit top-ups If you receive certain benefits then you may be able to get a top-up, which is called a disability premium. To be eligible you will need to receive one of the following along with PIP: Housing benefit Jobseeker's allowance Employment and support allowance Pension credit - but only if you get the PIP daily living component You should contact the office that is in charge of your benefits. Tell them that you get PIP and ask them what other help you can get. You may need to send them a copy of your PIP award letter. They should be able to tell you how much extra you will get. Vehicle tax reduction If you claim the standard rate mobility part of PIP then you can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax. Vehicle tax, also known as road tax, is a fee you need to pay to use your car on public roads. To qualify for a discount the vehicle must be registered in the disabled person's name or their nominated driver's name. To apply for a reduction you will need to make claim and provide the following documents: A letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you're getting it. The vehicle log book (V5C). A V10 form. Evidence of a current MOT, if you need one. For example, this could be a copy of your vehicle's MOT history or your MOT certificate, if you have one. A cheque or payable order (made out to 'DVLA, Swansea') for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle. You should send your application to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BF. If you are on the enhanced rate of PIP then you could qualify for a complete exemption from vehicle tax. If you are applying for the first time, you need to visit your nearest Post Office branch. You can find your nearest branch at or call 0345 722 3344. Lease a vehicle If you are awarded the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP and have at least 12 months left on your current allowance, you may be able to join the Motability Scheme. Through the scheme you can use your qualifying mobility allowance to lease a new vehicle. The scheme will cover your insurance, servicing and breakdown. For more information about joining the scheme and to explore the range of available vehicles, you can request an information pack from the Motability Scheme website. Disabled Facilities Grant You may be able to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if you are disabled and want to make changes to your home to suit your needs. For example, you may want to build an extension or install ramps. The exact amount you could get depends on where you live. How to cut your bills IF you're struggling financially, you might be able to cut the cost of your bills to help you get out of the red. Council tax: You can apply for a council tax reduction on the website but you'll need to meet certain criteria. Your bill could be cut by as much as 100 per cent if you're on a low income or claim benefits. Carers who look after someone in the household for at least 35 hours a week are also exempt from paying. Water: Households might be able to save money by getting a water meter but it all depends on how much you're using. To check if it's finacially worthwhile, use the Consumer Council for Water's free ater meter calculator. Rent: If you have the space available and your landlord or local authority says it's ok to do so, you might want to consider getting a flatmate. Not only will you split the cost of the rent, but also the other bills. Hire purchase: If you're struggling to make your repayments on your hire purchase, you can usually end the contract by returning the goods. You will have to pay all the instalments due up to the time you end the agreement but this will limit the amount you owe. Contact Citizens Advice for free for more help with this. Gas and electricty: MoneySavingExpert says families can save £330 on average by switching from Standard Variable Tariffs (SVTs) to a better rate. Use a comparison site such as MoneySuperMarket or Energyhelpline to see what deals are available. Mortgage: If you get into debt with your mortgage payments, don't wait for your lender to chase you. Work out what you can afford using the Citizens Advice budgeting tool so you can discuss your payment options moving forward with your mortgage provider. Secured Loan: Your secured loan might be covered by the Consumer Credit Act and if it is, you may be able to apply for a Time Order. This is a special agreement by the courts allowing you more time to make payments. Secured loans not covered by the Consumer Credit Act include gas, electricity or water meters, payments that need to be written off in full, mortgages, credit union loans, loans from an employer and some short term trade agreements. County Court Judgements: If you receive a County Court claim form talk to a free debt advice service straight away. This includes Citizens Advice (0808 800 9060), StepChange (0800 138 1111) and the National Debtline (0808 808 4000). TV licence: Some households are eligible for a reduced fee or free TV Licence. Check here to see if you are entitled to a reduced or free rate. If you live in England then you could get up to £30,000, while those who live in Wales could get £36,000 and up to £25,000 in Northern Ireland. You will need to apply through your local council, which must give you a decision within six months. Free prescriptions If your disability means that you are eligible for PIP then you may also be able to get free NHS prescriptions. Whether you are eligible will depend on your specific medical condition. Certain illnesses such as epilepsy and diabetes automatically entitle you to free prescriptions. To get them you will need to apply for a medical exemption certificate, which is a card that fits in your wallet. To apply visit your doctor and request an FP92A form. Your doctor should be able to help you with the process. Disabled person's railcard People who receive PIP may be able to save a third on train travel with a Disabled Persons Railcard. The card costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years. On average it could save you up to £126 but the exact amount will depend on how often you travel by train. To apply visit You will need a copy of your award letter showing that you have received PIP in the past 12 months. Water bills Some water suppliers provide help for customers who receive certain benefits, such as PIP, through their WaterSure scheme. To qualify you need to have a water meter and need to use a lot of water due to a medical condition. The scheme works by capping your bills and does not impact your credit score. The cap depends on where you live. For example, Severn Trent will cap your fresh water bill at £321.23 a year, while for sewerage it is £234.66. This means in total you would pay up to £555.89 a year. Who is eligible for the scheme varies depending on your supplier, so check directly with them to see if you qualify. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
North Wales Live
21 hours ago
- North Wales Live
DWP plans could see thousands of Universal Credit claimants lose almost £100 a week
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has proposed new plans that could result in thousands of Universal Credit claimants losing nearly £100 each week. Disability Rights UK is battling against government proposals to eliminate access to the health component of Universal Credit, now referred to as the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element, for most adults aged 16-21. This would apply to those within this age bracket who claim the benefit independently. Campaigners argue that if the proposal is approved, almost 110,000 disabled young adults could lose nearly £100 each week, reports Nottinghamshire Live. Contact, a charity that assists families with disabled children, says that this could have a "devastating financial impact not only on disabled young adults who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), but also on many who are in education or low-paid employment". It further states that DWP plans push "disabled young adults and their families further away from employment prospects and further into poverty". The Green Paper recognises that the government needs to "consider what special provisions need to be put in place for those young people where engagement with work or training is not a realistic prospect". The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, stated in a speech on May 21: "Those with the most severe, life-long conditions that will never improve and who can never work will have their Universal Credit protected, including young people aged under 22." However, campaigners argue that the criteria for severe conditions have an "extremely high threshold". The proposed changes are set to take effect in the 2027/28 financial year. The Green Paper is also seeking views on extending Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to 18 year olds, rather than stopping it at 16, a move that has Contact's backing.
