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Today is the day where LCWRA is almost halved for most new claimants

Ross1975

The amount is reduced from £423.27 to £217.26 per month unless:

You were already entitled to LCWRA on 6 April 2026

Meet the severe conditions criteria (lifelong condition diagnosed by an NHS healthcare professional)

Or are terminally ill (where death would not be a surprise within 12 months)

You've got to wonder how much devastation this will cause? And the cost of living is going up which will make things even worse for these people.

I know there's no way I could survive if my LCWRA was almost halved.

If things get bad enough I'm hoping the government will see this and do a U-turn, but I think that's wishful thinking.

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Comments

Ross1975

I know that.

diceman24

thus government or any other government is just doing the right thing and looking after the severely disabled people and to me that’s right to me. To many claimants on the gravy train it’s about time things changed the government should always look after the severely disabled that’s my own opinion and many more I hope

diceman24

Don’t panic if your unfortunate enough to be severely disabled than you deserve all the help from everyone and I mean everyone

Ross1975

Link to B&W article: Savage UC severe conditions criteria (SCC) cuts have begun

Ross1975

worried33

So the BBC published an article which isnt good news, they prepping for more policies by softening up the population, the early part of the article was the usual that universal credit isnt fit for purpose in the long term purely because of one metric, too many people on it.

The end of the article was a bit less bias, there was an interesting sentence where they stated, due to a study, it has been determined that the UK has one of the least generous benefit systems across industrialised countries, but yet the population now as a majority (I assume polling), now think too much assistance is provided by the benefit system. In short even though we have one of the harshest regimes, it apparently isnt enough.

Now the bit I dont like which has resulted in yet another email to my MP, of which I already know wont get a reply.

The article reveals the basis of the 50% cut to LCWRA for new claimants, is that Jobcentre plus staff believe people are claiming it out of choice because standard UC isnt enough to live on, now standard UC may well not be enough to live on, it probably is the case, but it confirms that ministers changed national policies based on an "opinion" from unqualified staff on the reasons that case load has increased, it has been done under the belief that people simply are choosing to have health problems instead of losing the health lottery.

The press and parliament continue to not accept that the declining state of the NHS is linked to increasing caseload on health related benefits. No one is managing to link the two, when its as clear as water. Not only have they not recognised it, they are about to do more extreme rationing of referrals on the NHS, like there is deliberate sabotage at this point, and doubling down of the opinion that there isnt a problem of lots of people unable to get treatment or recognition of their conditions.

Lauren29

I don't believe that people are claiming LCWRA "out of choice". They can't opt out of the Work Capability Process if they claim Universal Credit because they are too ill to work. They have to declare their health condition/s and then UC places them on the "health journey". Whether they are found to be fit for work, have LCW or have LCWRA is determined by the DWP via the Work Capability Assessment. If someone is ill and can't work they have to go through the WCA process or they will be subject to a requirement from the Job Centre to find work.

The argument regarding choice is more applicable to PIP as here individuals have the choice whether or not to apply. I have spoken to several people who have applied for PIP as they are struggling to cope financially and have been advised by a medical professional or advice agency to make a claim. If they could have coped financially without PIP they would. I want to stress that these people were clearly eligible for PIP and in one case the person would have been eligible had they applied a year earlier.

worried33

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115382#Comment_1115382

The aim is to give out a message that the people who are affected, shouldnt have got it in the first place, hence the BBC article claiming welfare advisors and JCP staff have an (unqualified) opinion that people are claiming because it gives more money rather than because they have a genuine need.

ChrisR777

I can't understand why the figures claiming have shot up in recent years? Some serious investigation needs to be undertaken. So many young people are suddenly 'disabled'?

Ross1975

I think almost halving LCWRA could see a rise in PIP claims since I'm sure a lot of these people will be really struggling to live.

I know I'm entitled to PIP myself but never bothered with going through the stress of trying to claim it since my LCWRA is enough, but now because of everything the government is doing I'm feeling a lot more financially insecure about the future, so I am planning on applying for PIP.

ChrisR777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115501#Comment_1115501

And chopping down trees, going out running, entering Highland Games; you name it.

ChrisR777

(Personal opinion being expressed).

My Muscular Dystrophy is serious, progressive, and untreatable. Yes, I do consider that worse than some other people's illnesses. Every person with a disability can't be considered at the serious end, that defies logic.

michael57

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115522#Comment_1115522

I don't think anybody can argue with that statement soapy

MissMarple

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115460#Comment_1115460

People waiting ages for NHS treatment and they are too unwell to work in the meantime. Also, Covid had a long-term effect on literally hundreds of thousands of people. I personally know two people with Long Covid. One's health destroyed, unable to work at all. The other one halved their working hours, ditched all their hobbies and social activities and is still severely struggling. I wouldn't be surprised if their health deteriorates further and they end up on benefits.

You can't just "choose" LCWRA. There's an assessment process, and the DWP decides based on evidence whether you'll get it.

Some people seem to think that they are the only genuinely disabled and everyone else is just playing the system. The media is happy to report about the odd fraudulent claim, but they rarely mention the thousands who don't get support when they should, or those who struggle to live on the pittance that is Universal Credit. And it's not like there's an abundance of jobs out there and you just has to pick one. Even able-bodied people with tons of experience apply for hundreds of jobs to hear back nothing. Of course people get depressed, anxious and develop mental health issues.

ChrisR777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115528#Comment_1115528

I have on occasion encountered the view that one should just keep appealing, until maximum payout is achieved.

For myself, I don't get the top rate for care, as I just accepted what I was awarded. This was some time ago, I imagine I would get it next time.

ChrisR777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115531#Comment_1115531

I am more concerned about a generation of under 25s condemned to a lifetime on benefits. The cohort most likely to have good health, and yet they are too ill or disabled to work? I just don't buy the 'but Covid' line. We are now told kids weren't as at risk as was thought, which is it?

ChrisR777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115537#Comment_1115537

I am 100% no Covid skeptic, I have heard recent committee assertions that perhaps the closure of schools was unnecessary. Of course, everyone is an expert after the event.

worried33

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115501#Comment_1115501

Maybe someone has made the same assumption about you, without you realising it? try to avoid judging others.

The problem with this way of thinking is it leads to changes that punish everyone for hear say.

If criteria is tightened, thats what makes it harder, not that someone "might" be pulling a fast one, I use the word might as there is no proof, and the assessment regime is one of the toughest in the world.

I know someone with a back condition, it didnt stop him doing some work, but he would be bed bound for days after it. I used to do a bit of weeding myself, even though I can barely stand.

MissMarple

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115535#Comment_1115535

Kids and young people were at low risk of dying, however Long Covid doesn't correlate with the seriousness of the initial illness. You can have a flu-like experience with the initial infection, then just can't get out of it. I'm not saying it's all Covid why many young people are not in education nor work. I think it's a complex issue of health, mental health, society, the job market etc. The current prospects are grim.

ChrisR777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1116102#Comment_1116102

You will never find me playing down the devastating effects of Long Covid, but it just staggers me, all these young people wasting their lives on benefits.

They are everywhere, I have one here, came out in his dressing gown to bring in the bin at nearly 16:00 the other day, whilst parent works 3 jobs.

I hear him during the night, shouting at his computer games, then stay in bed until nearly tea time. A tragic waste of opportunity. I am told by parent that he has adhd, like that excuses doing nothing at all. What will become of these 'kidults' in 10+ years time?