Universal Credit rule change will hit half a million disabled Brits...

[dutchman]

– we explain how it will affect you



A UNIVERSAL Credit rule change will see half a million disabled Brits gradually moved onto the welfare system - but it could leave some worse off.

Claimants who are eligible for the severe disability premium (SDP) top-up when they claim certain benefits can now be moved onto Universal Credit.

Disabled claimants have been protected from moving onto the system since 2019 over fears they will see their welfare payments drop.

But as of January 27 this year, the "gateway" was removed, meaning anyone on the tax credit system will be rolled onto Universal Credit if they have a change in circumstances, such as moving house.

The SDP boost is to recognise that the cost of living is more for people with disabilities, and is only available to those on an income-related benefit.

These include Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Housing Benefit or Pension Credit.

But it's not something that's recognised under Universal Credit.

Instead, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced a transitional element worth up to £405 a month to make up for the lost income.

However, the payments are not like-for-like and charities are warning that the move could see thousands of people on benefits worse off, according to disability equality charity Scope.

Carlos Hagi, benefits expert at Citizens Advice, warns people who move on to Universal Credit won't be able to reverse their decision if they find they're worse off on it.

He said: "For that reason we’d urge people to think carefully about a move."

The SDP is worth £66.95 a week for a single person and £133.90 a week for couples.

The benefit is paid on top of the income-related benefits, such as ESA.

The premium is not acknowledged under Universal Credit, so the DWP introduced a "transitional element" to support disabled people on benefits when they are moved on to the new system.

How much you get depends on whether you're claiming as a single person or a couple, and whether you were expected to look for work.

The top-ups are worth £120, £285 or £405 a month, depending on your circumstances.

In some cases, claimants may be better off but that's not the case for everyone.

For example, Citizens Advice warns those with disabled children may be worse off on the new system, as the disabled child elements in Universal Credit are not as generous for some claimants as those in tax credits.

Read more: https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/14295616 ... led-brits/