DWP makes four big changes for single Universal Credit claimants aged 25 and over
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced four big changes for claimants who are single and aged 25 and over. Four million people are set to get a £725 boost with the bump in rates of Universal Credit.
The shake-up from the Labour Party government could see millions of households benefit from the hikes. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, published on Wednesday, June 18, announced changes that will increase the standard Universal Credit allowance above inflation for four years, starting from 2026.
Single claimants aged 25 and over, will see their rates increasing by 2.3% in 2026 to 2027 and then 3.1% in 2027 to 2028 and then 4.0% in 2028 to 2029, followed by 4.8% in 2029 to 2030, which is the end of this Parliament.
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James Watson-O'Neill, chief executive of disability charity Sense, said he was "especially alarmed" by plans to cut the Universal Credit uplift "for those with the greatest barriers to work".
"Many of the disabled people and families we support have told us they're frightened, uncertain how they'll afford food, heating, other basic needs without this vital support," he added.
The DWP press release boasts that: "The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill will provide 13-weeks of additional financial security to existing claimants affected by changes to the PIP daily living component, including those who their lose eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of Universal Credit.
"The 13-week additional protection will give people who will be affected by the changes time to adapt, access new, tailored employment support, and plan for their future once they are reassessed and their entitlement ends.
"This transitional cover is one of the most generous ever and more than three times the length of protection provided for the transition from DLA to PIP."
It is a: "Bill to make provision to alter the rates of the standard allowance, limited capability for work element and limited capability for work and work-related activity element of universal credit and the rates of income-related employment and support allowance, and to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment."
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