https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-one-off-payment-under-the-successful-legacy-appeals-compensation-scheme Who the scheme is for In 2020, a Court of Appeal decision concluded that people who had an incorrect decision to end their legacy benefits later reversed, for example on appeal, could not be reinstated onto their legacy benefit if they had already claimed Universal Credit. However, where these same people had a lower…
Tag: ESA
Proposed benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027/proposed-benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027 Coming into effect in April 2026, note the LCWRA reduced rate is for new claimants only there after. And from rightsnet, https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/resources/benefit-rates#universal_credit
Government must increase trust in Universal Credit as full roll out brings 15 million people into the system
https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/press-releases/government-must-increase-trust-in-universal-credit-as-full-roll-out-brings-15-million-people-into-the-system/ By April, Universal Credit (UC) is finally due to be fully rolled out, thirteen years after its introduction in 2013. With half of all children in the UK (6.5 million) living in families receiving UC, the Government must use this milestone to build trust and improve the system for claimants, according to new proposals…
How to balance fairness and effectiveness in Unemployment Insurance
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publications/how-to-balance-fairness-and-effectiveness-in-unemployment-insurance/ The aim of recognising previous labour market contributions in benefit eligibility and payment levels, in order to enhance the political legitimacy of the benefits system, is understandable. And we agree that the role of contributory benefits in partially replacing lost income when someone becomes unemployed can help some people return to sustainable jobs more…
New from rightsnet,
DWP confirms that ESA claimants who fail to migrate to universal credit by final deadline should have the LCWRA element included from start of any subsequent claim At the DWP’s November 2025 universal credit stakeholder engagement forum, advisers highlighted that ESA claimants who fail to migrate to universal credit, but then subsequently claim the benefit,…
Cuts to non-health-related benefits shift claimants onto disability benefits
https://ifs.org.uk/news/cuts-non-health-related-benefits-shift-claimants-disability-benefits Disability benefits are intended to support people living with disabilities with the additional living costs they face as a result of their condition. They form just one part of the working-age benefit system, and people can claim disability benefits at the same time as other benefits such as universal credit. Studying four cuts to…
The government has today confirmed increases in the universal credit standard allowance from April 2026
In Budget 2025, the government has set out that – the universal credit standard allowance will increase by more than 6 per cent in April 2026 in line with the Universal Credit Act 2025;other working age benefit rates covered by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions’ statutory review will be increased by 3.8…
Check how Universal Credit is changing in 2026
If you have a long-term health condition or a disabilityYou might get an additional payment with your Universal Credit called the ‘limited capability for work-related activity’ (LCWRA) element. This is £423.27 extra each month, but the amount will be smaller for most people who start getting it on, or after, 6 April 2026 – it…
CPI inflation has held steady at 3.8% in September.
CPI inflation has held steady at 3.8% in September. This means the Universal Credit standard allowance will be uprated by at least 6.2% in April – a boost worth nearly £6 per week. Had inflation hit 4% in Sept, as widely forecast, UC would have got a lightly bigger 6.4% boost next spring.
Work Capability Assessment delays are leaving disabled people in limbo
https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/work-capability-assessment-delays-are-leaving-disabled-people-in-limbo-a1deb1e457cb Disabled people can get extra support under Universal Credit (UC) if they’re found eligible after a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). But many of those who come to Citizens Advice are waiting months, if not over a year, for this assessment. In the meantime, many struggle to afford essential costs and risk being pushed into…