Disability benefits change means my son could lose £200 a month – it’s terrifying
Disability benefits change means my son could lose £200 a month – it’s terrifying
Erika Lye, a mother of two, describes herself as “the sunshine” in her home, always bringing smiles to her sons Logan, 20, and Jack, 16. Yet, within the walls of her family, she grapples with deep financial anxiety. A recent alteration to the health component of Universal Credit has left her fearing that her household could plunge into economic hardship.
The New Policy
Following a period of political backlash on benefit policies earlier in the year, the first adjustments to Universal Credit are now in effect. From Monday, 6 April, new applicants for the health top-up will receive half the monthly payment of current recipients. The government aims to save £1bn by 2030/31 by reducing the top-up from £429.80 to £217.26 per month for new claimants.
“The Universal Credit system had ‘forced too many people to be written off, left behind, and denied the opportunities to build better lives for themselves and their families’,” stated a government spokesperson. “That’s why we’re bringing forward these reforms – increasing the incentive to work, ensuring sick or disabled people can access genuine support, and bearing down on the cost of living by boosting the standard rate.”
Impact on Erika’s Family
Logan Lye has cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. He applied for the Universal Credit health top-up in 2025 and will receive the full £429.80 monthly. However, his younger brother Jack, who is autistic and non-verbal, will only be eligible to apply after 6 April, once he finishes home schooling. This delay could mean Jack earns £200 less each month, a concern that keeps Erika awake at night.
“I am so concerned. Families like mine are going to be pushed to: ‘I’ve got to put my child into care because I can’t even feed them,'”
Exceptions and Criteria
There are exceptions to the new policy. Those nearing the end of life or meeting the Severe Conditions Criteria will continue to receive the higher rate. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) clarified that this criteria requires a healthcare professional to confirm that a person’s condition is lifelong and has no realistic chance of recovery.
Despite these exceptions, the specifics remain unclear. While Erika hopes Jack will qualify for the higher rate, she remains uncertain about the outcome.
Broader Economic Concerns
The government’s impact statement on the change highlighted that the standard Universal Credit allowance of £400 for a single person was insufficient for many. The health top-up, valued at an extra £400, was seen as a disincentive to work, prompting the need for policy adjustments. It predicted that the number of recipients could rise from 1.9 million in 2019/2020 to three million by 2029/30.
“This is bad for people, bad for businesses and bad for the economy,” the statement concluded. “We know that good work is good for people’s mental and physical health.”
Expert and Charitable Warnings
Welfare experts and charities express worry over the policy’s effect. Derek Sinclair, a senior welfare rights specialist at Contact, said the changes would represent a “massive financial blow.” He noted that many families pool resources to cover the costs of therapies, equipment, and activities for disabled children.
“In many households, the financial resources are shared to cover the diverse needs of children with disabilities,” Sinclair added.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported that 50% of Universal Credit health top-up recipients face challenges such as unheated homes, unpaid bills, or food insecurity. Approximately 900,000 children reside in households where someone receives the top-up, with younger recipients “at even greater risk of hardship,” according to the foundation’s senior policy adviser, Iain Porter.
“The government should instead be ensuring that Universal Credit is at least enough to afford essentials,” Porter said.
