Chesham and Amersham MP, Sarah Green, has told the Government that some disability claimants are being ‘unfairly penalised’ after transitioning to Universal Credit.
The controversial new benefits system has no equivalent to the severe disability premium available under the legacy system.
Despite transitional payments introduced by the Government at the start of the year intended to make up for this, Ms. Green says some people are still significantly worse off.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, she said: “One of my constituents was previously in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and Housing Benefit with a severe disability premium.
“Earlier this year she relocated to my constituency to be closer to her daughter for support which triggered a transition to Universal Credit.
“Even with transitional protection payments, she is now over £70 a month worse off. In the face of the current cost of living squeeze this is having a significant impact.
“Would the Minister meet with me about this specific case, and what additional steps will the government take to support people like my constituent, who are being unfairly financially penalised by the move to Universal Credit?”
Responding, Chloe Smith MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work agreed to meet with the Chesham and Amersham MP.
Universal credit is a single benefit payment for working-age people, which was introduced to replace a range of different benefits for unemployed and low-paid people, and make the system simpler.
It's claimed by more than 5.8 million people in England, Scotland and Wales, both in and out of work - 40% of universal credit claimants are workers.
Recently an extra £20 per week payment provided during the pandemic, was ended despite opposition from many charities, opposition parties, and also some Conservative MPs.
Torsten Bell, Resolution’s chief executive, a think-tank focussed on improving the lives of low- and middle-income families, said that stopping the £20 per week payment would mean "4.4 million households, with 5.1 million adults and 3.5 million children, will see their incomes fall by £1,000 overnight.”
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