Universal Credit Claimants Urged to Act Before April 6 Deadline
Individuals receiving Universal Credit have been issued a critical warning to take immediate action or risk forfeiting hundreds of pounds each month. Significant changes to the benefit system are scheduled to take effect on April 6, potentially rendering some claimants ineligible for crucial financial support.
According to the charity Contact, which specialises in assisting families with disabled children, there are only a few days remaining before the government implements reductions in the Universal Credit health element for certain new claimants. The organisation has emphasised the urgency, stating: "If you are one of the following, you need to consider taking action before Monday 6 April."
Who Must Take Immediate Action?
The charity identifies three specific groups who need to act promptly before the deadline to potentially qualify for the higher payment rate as existing claimants:
- A disabled person not currently on Universal Credit but who could claim this benefit.
- Someone already receiving Universal Credit who has health problems but has never submitted fit notes from a medical professional.
- A disabled Universal Credit recipient who has been assessed as having limited capability for work only, and whose condition has since deteriorated.
The Universal Credit health element, formally known as the limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) element, represents one of several additional payments that Universal Credit recipients might receive. This extra financial support is designed for individuals with health problems who claim Universal Credit and meet specific eligibility criteria.
Understanding the New Two-Tier Payment System
Contact explains the forthcoming changes: "From 6 April there will be two rates of the Universal Credit health element, rather than one rate. Existing claimants will retain the higher rate of £429.80 per month."
"New claimants who meet extra severe conditions criteria rules will also receive this rate. However, most other new claimants will only get a lower rate of £217.26 per month." This represents a reduction of £212.54 monthly for those who do not qualify for the higher rate.
Some individuals will be protected with the higher rate as existing claimants if either of these conditions applies:
- You are already on Universal Credit and receive an LCWRA element in your award.
- You claim Universal Credit on or before 5 April and, on that date, you are awaiting a Department for Work and Pensions decision on your capacity for work.
The charity stresses: "You will need to take action on or before 5 April at the latest. But the earlier you take action the better."
Step-by-Step Guidance for Different Claimant Groups
Contact has provided detailed advice on who needs to take action and what specific steps they should follow:
For disabled individuals not yet on Universal Credit: You should attempt to lodge your Universal Credit claim on or before 5 April. If you eventually qualify for the health element, it will automatically be paid at the higher rate. You will need to provide a fit note from your GP to support your claim. If possible, try to submit this fit note on or before 5 April. However, if you cannot obtain a fit note before then – for example because your GP is unavailable – you should still ensure you claim Universal Credit on or before 5 April.
If you do not have a fit note when you claim, you should state in your online journal that you are unfit for work and request a work capability assessment. If possible, you should also declare a health condition in the "report a change" section of your online account. So long as you do this on or before 5 April, you will then have a further seven days from the date that you declare you are unfit to work to provide a fit note.
For Universal Credit claimants with health problems who have never submitted fit notes: It is worth trying to submit fit notes on or before 5 April and asking that your capacity for work be assessed. You should declare a health condition in the "report a change" section of your Universal Credit account. Also state in your online journal that you are unfit to work and request a work capability assessment.
If you qualify for a health element, you will automatically receive this at the higher rate as an existing claimant. If you cannot get a fit note from your GP until after 5 April, you can instead notify Universal Credit that you are unfit for work in your online account. Do this on or before 5 April and then ensure you submit a fit note within a further seven days.
For disabled Universal Credit recipients seeking reassessment: You can ask Universal Credit to reassess you for LCWRA. So long as you do this on or before 5 April, and they agree you have LCWRA, you will qualify for the health element at the higher rate. You do not need to submit a fit note in this scenario. A message in your online account should suffice. You should declare a new or worsened health condition in the "report a change" section of your Universal Credit account. Also state in your online journal that you are asking for a reassessment of whether you have LCWRA.
However, you need to be aware that requesting a reassessment carries risks. It is possible that the DWP instead decides that you are fit to work. If that happens, you could be left worse off financially. Additionally, if you have a partner and they already qualify for a health element, you cannot get a second one. There will be no financial gain in asking for a reassessment in this case.
How to Lodge a Claim
Contact advises: "You can claim Universal Credit either online or via the Universal Credit Helpline on 0800 328 5644. Bear in mind that the helpline is only open during weekdays 8am-6pm. Given this, an online claim is the best option for most people who don't claim until just before 6 April."
Which New Claimants Will Receive the Higher Rate?
While all existing claimants are guaranteed the higher rate health element payment, new claimants will also receive the higher rate if either:
- They are terminally ill
- They meet new severe conditions criteria
All other new claimants will receive the new lower rate of the health element.
Understanding the Severe Conditions Criteria
To meet the new severe conditions criteria, claimants must demonstrate that all of the following apply:
- You have a condition that has been diagnosed by an appropriately qualified NHS healthcare professional. Government ministers have indicated this covers not just diagnoses carried out by NHS staff. A private diagnosis conducted in line with NHS best practice, and which has been accepted in your NHS records, will also count.
- Your condition will last for the rest of your life.
- Your level of function must mean you would "constantly" meet one of the LCWRA descriptors "on all occasions on which the claimant undertakes or attempts to undertake an activity." This likely means that you cannot have prolonged periods where there is a recovery of function to the extent you do not meet that LCWRA criteria.
Contact clarifies: "Existing claimants can get the health element without needing to meet these additional severe conditions criteria."
Special Rules for ESA Claimants
Contact notes that while the general rule requires people to have claimed Universal Credit on or before April 5, there is one exception. The charity explains: "Special rules say that someone getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and whose award already includes a support component is protected as an existing claimant."
"This is the case even though they claim Universal Credit after 5 April. This rule protects disabled adults with an ESA award where there has been some delay migrating over to Universal Credit."
The impending changes highlight the critical importance for vulnerable claimants to understand their rights and take appropriate action before the April 6 deadline to secure essential financial support during challenging economic times.
