Major changes to Universal Credit will see most new claimants with disabilities or health conditions receive nearly £50 less per week from April 2026. The Labour government has confirmed the controversial reduction to the benefit's health element, which will create a significant disparity between existing and future recipients.
What Are the New Universal Credit Changes?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to reduce the health top-up payment for new claimants. This payment, officially known as the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element, will be slashed from £97 to £50 per week for most people. This represents a cut of £47 each week compared to what current claimants receive.
The changes, legislated under the Universal Credit Act which received Royal Assent on 3 September 2025, will take effect from 6 April 2026. The DWP states the move, alongside an above-inflation rise in the standard allowance, aims to address "perverse incentives" and encourage those who can work to do so.
Who Will Be Affected by the Cuts?
According to guidance from Citizens Advice, you are likely to be impacted if you apply for Universal Credit and receive the additional amount due to a long-term health condition or disability after the April 2026 start date. The key detail is that this creates a two-tier system where two individuals with the same condition could receive different amounts based solely on when they applied.
There is an exemption for a small group. The £47 a week cut will not apply to new claimants with the most serious and life-limiting conditions. For all others, the reduced rate will stand. This policy comes after the government faced a significant backlash from its own MPs, forcing it to scale back wider proposed cuts to disability benefits.
Reactions and Rationale Behind the Policy
The announcement has sparked concern among advocacy groups, who warn of the financial impact on vulnerable people. The government defends the change by highlighting the concurrent increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance, which it says will rise above inflation from April, benefiting millions.
A DWP spokesperson said: "The new, lower UC health element will take effect on April 6, 2026. We will keep standard allowance rates under review." They added that the combined changes are designed to make the system fairer and support movement into employment where possible.
However, critics argue that reducing support for those assessed as having limited capability for work contradicts the purpose of the safety net. The coming months will likely see continued debate over the balance between welfare reform and adequate support for disabled people.
