Big changes to disability benefits were announced in the UK Government’s 2025 Spring Statement.
The Government’s aim is to encourage those who can work to do so, while continuing to help those who are unable to work.
Some concerns have been raised about the plan to change Personal Independent Payment (PIP). In response, the Government will be reviewing the PIP assessment before making any changes. They will work with disabled people and charities to carry out the review, which is likely to happen in Autumn 2025.
What does this now mean for PIP?
There will be no changes to the PIP eligibility criteria until the review has been completed.
What are the changes to Universal Credit?
Standard Allowance
There will be an increase of the standard allowance rate for Universal Credit until 2029/2030.
This means people aged 25 or over who get this benefit may see an increase of £7 per week.
Health element
If you receive extra support because of an illness or disability, here’s what’s changing:
- Those already getting Universal Credit will not see their health element reduced. The current rate will be frozen until 2029/30.
- For new claims: the health element will drop from £97 per week to £50 per week from 2026 and then stay frozen until 2030.
- The LCWRA (limited capability for work and work-related activity) element will be replaced for people making new claims from April 2026 by the health element.
- A new payment will be introduced for those with severe, lifelong conditions that won’t require future assessments. This will be known as Severe Conditions criteria group.
How will this affect me?
- Most changes start from April 2026, so there is time to prepare.
- If you are already receiving benefits, your payments might remain unchanged for now – especially the health element.
Key takeaways
- Stay updated – more information is expected as policies develop.
- Check your current benefits – you may not see changes immediately
- Seek advice if you are unsure how these changes might affect your situation
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit and haven’t reported any health issues that you have, then you should do so as soon as possible. Now is also the time to send in any fit notes from your doctors and start the work capability assessment prior to the changes coming into effect. It is recommended to get advice to check if you will be better off first.
Get support
You can seek advice and support from our team of frontline advisors at Advice Portsmouth via our main drop-in service or outreach drop-ins. Find the opening times on the Advice Portsmouth website or call 023 9279 4340.
If you are a Portsmouth City Council tenant, you can get help and support from the Money Advice Team via your local housing office.