From November 2025, the Universal Credit health element (previously LCWRA component) for new claimants will drop by £47 per week—from £97 per week in 2025 to £50 per week in 2026/27. The freeze for existing recipients remains until 2029/30, with exceptions only for terminally ill patients or those meeting “severe conditions criteria.”
Over 800,000 current recipients are protected, but 240,000 new claimants in late 2025 and 2026 are forecast to lose £2,444 a year from the cut. Government analysts expect annual welfare savings of £900 million. Several charities predict increasing poverty and hardship for disabled young people as the minimum age for eligibility rises from 18 to 22 in March 2028.
Why This Matters
Cutting the health element of Universal Credit for new claimants could put the most vulnerable at greater risk of poverty. The changes mean less income for disabled people seeking independence and stability, particularly young adults. Keeping track of policy updates ensures affected communities can access advice and prepare for changes.
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