Upcoming changes to benefits

So if contributed recently i.e you've just come on to esa after work it will be a mix of the both but if been on esa a while it stays the same.

that’s how I read it on guardian . So lcwra becomes like a disability premium? But it will be based on how your disability affects you not on your capacity to work . Is that right ?

Albus please could you post updates as they come up to make it easier for us to understand

So I don't know if this is the right thing but I just found this on the govt offical website - it looks like the green paper, but I need to double check.

I'm going to try to read through it and see what I can understand

If it helps anyone it's here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper

There's also copies in large print and something about evidence here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper

I'll see if I can find a way to do bullet points of main points if that would help anyone?

Thing that has left me confused as I was given lwc in 2021 I claim universal pip and my husband has carers for me but we do not and have never had any extra money on top of universal for the LWC . So not sure how this side of things will affect me. But the pip points change is going to affect alot of people

What has been announced?

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is now going through her main announcements.

This includes merging jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance.

The "complex" and "time-consuming" work capability assessment (WCA) for universal credit will also be scrapped in 2028, Kendall says.

She also announces that trying to get a job will never put a benefit at risk, with a new "right to try" initiative, and the "financial incentive" to go on welfare benefits will be removed. 

She says the government "will legislate to rebalance the payments in universal credit from April next year, holding the value of the health top up fixed in cash terms for existing claimants and reducing it for new claimants".

The minister adds there will be "an additional premium for people with severe lifelong conditions".

Kendall then says that the standard universal credit allowance will rise by £775 by 2029/30.

The secretary of state then vows to "switch back on" WCAs after the last government reduced the numbers carried out in the pandemic.

People with the most "severe disabilities and health conditions" will not need to be reassessed on their suitability to work, she adds.

On personal independence payments, Kendall says the benefit will not be means tested, and a Tory proposal for vouchers will not be introduced.

She says people will need to score at least four points in one activity to qualify for PIP, Kendall adds - in a change that will require a change in law.

The PIP review system will also be reformed.

Kendall says this will save £5bn a year by the end of the decade.

On support for those looking for work, the minister announces £1bn a year for employment support.

The minister says the government will consult on whether the health top-up to universal credit should be delayed for those under 22, with the savings spent on work support and training opportunities.

you can sense what is next theres no jobs for able body people its goig to be hard for us

I’m wondering the same. That’s the group I’d move into when I migrate over. I won’t be doing that if my benefit is going to be cut next year.

From the green paper :

Instead, eligibility to the additional UC health element will be based on whether someone is receiving any Daily Living Award in PIP

It's the only benefit I get and if they're on about cutting over £400 and reassessing to make it harder to even qualify, I have no idea what I'm going to do. This is frightening