A key update to the UK’s Universal Credit system could leave young disabled people facing greater financial hardship, experts have warned. With recent proposals in the Welfare Bill, some individuals may see a cut of up to £47 a week from their benefits, potentially deepening the divide in support for the country’s most vulnerable.
Despite significant concessions earlier this month, new cuts within the bill remain. These changes, which are progressing through Parliament, could severely impact disabled people, particularly those under the age of 22.
Young Disabled People Face Increased Vulnerability
According to James Watson-O’Neill, Chief Executive of the national disability charity Sense, young disabled people with complex needs are at the heart of the crisis. “The government’s decision to press ahead with its welfare reform Bill and make cruel cuts to Universal Credit payments is causing deep fear and distress among young disabled people,” Watson-O’Neill said.
Many of these individuals already face financial instability, with almost half of those with complex needs in debt due to insufficient benefit payments, according to the charity.
The Universal Credit reform proposes to cut the health element of the allowance for new claimants from £97 to £50 per week, a reduction that will hit many young disabled people the hardest.
Under the current legislation, those aged 22 and under would face being excluded from the more generous £97 rate unless they qualify for the Severe Conditions Criteria Group. This age increase, experts argue, risks pushing more young disabled people into poverty, as they may not meet the strict eligibility criteria.
The Impact of the Severe Conditions Criteria Group
A central element of the reform is the introduction of the Severe Conditions Criteria Group, which provides additional benefits for people with severe disabilities. However, the criteria for inclusion are stringent.
Claimants must meet specific descriptors “at all times,” such as being unable to carry out basic tasks like lifting a 0.5-litre carton of liquid or coping with changes in routine.
This change has drawn particular concern from organisations such as Parkinson’s UK, which argues that fluctuating conditions such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis would disqualify many from this additional support.
Juliet Tizzard, Director of External Relations at Parkinson’s UK, described the decision as “appalling,” warning that people with conditions that come and go may be unfairly penalised under the new rules.
The reforms may also inadvertently exclude those with mental health conditions and other severe disabilities that fluctuate, meaning they would be at risk of losing £47 a week, especially if they apply for Universal Credit after 2026.
