More than 2.6 million Britons receiving disability benefits and Universal Credit are being urgently warned to respond to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) letters or face significant payment reductions.
The Clock Is Ticking for Benefit Claimants
The DWP has begun sending out work capability assessment forms to those claiming:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit with limited work capacity
Failure to return the completed form within one month could result in benefits being stopped entirely or reduced to the basic allowance, leaving vulnerable claimants potentially hundreds of pounds worse off each month.
Why the Sudden Crackdown?
The government has launched what it calls a "targeted reassessment programme" following concerns about:
- Outdated assessments from pandemic-era easements
- Potential overpayments during COVID-19
- Ensuring benefits go to those who genuinely qualify
Who Should Be Most Concerned?
Particularly at risk are claimants who:
- Haven't had a recent assessment (pre-2020 claims)
- Have reported improvements in their condition
- Are receiving the higher mobility or care components
Charities are urging recipients not to ignore the brown envelopes from the DWP, with Citizens Advice reporting a 38% increase in queries about assessment forms since January.
