
Tenant news
July 9, 2025 | Alison Eastwood
WILL I LOSE MY DISABILITY BENEFITS?
What’s changing and when?
You may have heard on the news that the Government wants to save money by cutting the number of people who get Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC).
PIP
At the moment, nothing is changing with PIP. You should still get your benefits as normal. It is unlikely that anything will change at all before 2026 and it might only be people who claim PIP in the future that will be effected. Nothing had been definitely decided yet.
Universal Credit
For people making a new claim for UC after April 2026, the Health Element of UC, which is an extra amount for people with disabilities, will be reduced from £416.19 per month to £50 per week. This amount will be frozen until 2029-30, so that even if the cost of living goes up, the Health Element wont, though your Standard Allowance should. Some people with severe conditions or who are terminally ill may still get the higher amount.
If you are already receiving the Health Element of UC before the changes come in, you shouldn’t lose money and the Health Element, along with your Standard Allowance of UC should go up as living costs go up.
The Government is also proposing that young people under the age of 22 will no longer get the Health Element of Universal Credit, but you will still be able to claim Universal Credit and other benefits you’re entitled to.
**This information is not a substitute for advice. If you rent privately in Rochdale or Bolton and need advice