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UK Universal Credit Health Element Changes Reduce Payments for New Disability Claimants from April 6
New applicants for the health element of Universal Credit in the UK will receive £217.26 per month starting April 6, compared to £429.80 for existing claimants. The Department for Work and Pensions aims to save £1 billion by 2030/31 through these reforms. Families with disabled children express concerns over potential financial strain from the reduced payments.
Apr 5, 7:10 PM·2m read1 source
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The UK government is implementing changes to the health element of Universal Credit, known as Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA), effective April 6. New applicants will receive £217.26 per month, half the £429.80 amount available to existing claimants.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) states that these reforms aim to increase work incentives and provide targeted support for sick or disabled people. A DWP spokesperson explained the rationale: >"The Universal Credit system had forced too many people to be written off, left behind, and denied the opportunities to build better lives for themselves and their families.
" — DWP Spokesperson (The Bbc) The changes follow political discussions on benefits last year. Young people under 16 or in education as of April 6 must wait until afterward to apply. In 2019/2020, 1.9 million people received the health top-up, with projections estimating an increase to three million by 2029/30.
The government's impact assessment notes that the standard Universal Credit allowance is £400 for a single person, and the health top-up adds approximately £400.
Erika Lye, a mother from the UK, has two sons with disabilities: Logan, 20, with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities, and Jack, 16, who is autistic and non-verbal. Logan applied for LCWRA in 2025 and qualifies for the full £429.80 monthly payment.
Jack, homeschooled until after April 6, will apply later and receive £217.26, resulting in about £200 less per month than his brother. Erika Lye stated her concerns: "I am so concerned. '" The DWP impact statement indicates that some recipients already struggle with the standard allowance, and the changes seek to rebalance the system to encourage work, citing benefits to mental and physical health.
