Claim Universal Credit disability by Sunday 5 April

Last year, we campaigned against cuts to disability benefits across PIP and Universal Credit. The government had to drop the PIP cuts (for now), and set up the Timms PIP review instead.

But the Universal Credit Act went through, which cuts disability element of UC by 50% for new claimants from 6 April. There are exceptions for some new claimants, who won’t be cut, and we’ll share info on that very soon. But Sunday 5 April is the deadline to lodge a claim under the old rules, to be in the LCWRA group (formerly Support Group) of Universal Credit and get the full disability element added. This deadline also applies if you are about to claim UC for the first time because of being low income.

Remember that you are allowed to do volunteering or waged work while on LCWRA as long as you declare any earnings to the DWP. The difference between this and compulsory work-related activity, is that it is voluntary and you can try things out at your own pace, if you are aiming to do part-time waged work eventually.

What is changing:

The limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) element (also called health element) will be reduced from £423.27 to £217.26 per month, unless you are a:

• a ‘pre-2026 claimant’ (includes existing LCWRA claimants)
• a ‘severe conditions criteria claimant’ (we will explain this soon)
• count as terminally ill (which they define as, has a progressive disease and their death can reasonably be expected within 12 months)

What you need to do by 5 April or on the day to be a ‘pre-2026’ claimant and get the protected higher rate:

• Existing UC claimant – declare a health condition that affects work capability, and at the same time or within 7 days, provide a fit note from your GP to verify your ill-health or disability and the impact on your ability to do waged work. You can start by putting a message on your UC journal, saying ‘I want to apply for LCWRA because of my ill health or disability. Can you send me the WCA50 form’. Or you can call the UC helpline (details below).

• Existing UC claimant on Limited Capability for Work – if you have got worse and can’t manage the LCW activities, report a change of circumstances on your journal and ask to be reassessed for LCWRA.

• New claimant – make a claim for UC and declare your health condition on your journal at the same time. Provide a fit note within 7 days.

Keep a screenshot or photo of your journal message, if you can.

By phone:

Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Try to keep a record of the phonecall, either to record it (which you can as it is about you), or make a note of the date, time and what you said.

If you miss the 5 April deadline, CPAG advises ‘it should still be OK if you submit a fit note, start self-certification or declare a relevant change of circumstances within the assessment period that contains 5 April 2026, so long as it’s by the end of this specific assessment period. This is because of the rule in paras 20-21 Sch 1 UC etc (DA) Regulations 2013.’

https://cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights/whats-new/welfare-reform-health-and-disability-benefits#uc