Today, the UK government announced huge changes to disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit, as part of a £7 billion cost-cutting reform. These changes could dramatically impact families with disabled children, especially those relying on financial support to manage their child’s care.
At AskEllie, we know how critical these benefits are for families who are already battling a complex and often unfair system. That’s why we’ve broken down what’s changing and what it could mean for you.
🔴 What’s Changing?
1️⃣ PIP Eligibility is Getting Tougher
✔️ The criteria for PIP are tightening, making it harder for people with disabilities to qualify for support.
✔️ Claimants must now score at least four points in one activity to be eligible—this means those with milder conditions may lose their PIP support.
✔️ The government says they are focusing on people with severe, lifelong conditions, but many families could fall through the cracks.
2️⃣ Universal Credit Shake-Up
✔️ The highest rate of incapacity benefits is being reduced, while the basic rate is increasing.
✔️ The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) will be scrapped by 2028, meaning future disability support will rely only on PIP assessments.
✔️ Many parents fear this could lead to more people losing support, as PIP assessments have long been criticized for being unfair and inconsistent.
🔴 What Does This Mean for Families with Disabled Children?
💰 Financial Pressure: If your family relies on higher-rate disability benefits, you could see a drop in income, making it harder to cover essential costs like specialist equipment, therapies, and transport.
📋 More Difficult Assessments: With the removal of WCA, more pressure will be placed on PIP assessments—a process that is already failing thousands of families.
😰 Increased Stress: Many parents can’t work full-time because they care for their disabled child. If benefits are reduced, many families could face financial hardship.
🔴 What Can You Do?
✔️ 📌 Stay Updated: Changes will take time to roll out, so it’s important to stay informed. AskEllie will keep you updated as new details emerge.
✔️ 📝 Prepare for Assessments: If your child receives PIP, make sure you gather strong medical evidence to support future claims.
✔️ ⚖️ Know Your Rights: Many families successfully challenge unfair benefit decisions. AskEllie provides free, instant legal guidance to help parents understand their options.
✔️ 🤝 Seek Support: Charities, legal aid groups, and AskEllie can help you appeal if your child loses support.
🔴 The Government Says This is “Fairer” – But is it?
The government claims these changes will create a “fairer” system, but many families are already struggling with unfair benefit decisions, long delays, and stressful assessments.
At AskEllie, we believe no parent should have to fight for the support their child needs. We are here to help you navigate these changes, challenge unfair decisions, and make sure your child gets the support they deserve.
📢 If you’re worried about these changes, reach out to AskEllie for free guidance on SEND law and benefits.
👉 Visit us at AskEllie.co.uk
💬 Tell us your thoughts! How do you feel about these changes? Have you struggled with PIP or Universal Credit assessments?
🚨 Share this post to help other parents who might be affected! 🚨
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