From Monday 6 April, the Government is introducing significant changes to Universal Credit (UC), particularly for people who receive – or may qualify for– the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity element, often shortened to LCWRA.
Below, we explain what’s changing, who’s affected, and what you need to do before the changes come into effect in April.
What’s changing?
Universal Credit is made up of:
- A standard allowance for your household
- Additional amounts (also known as ‘elements’) if you or somebody you live with has particular needs
One of these extra amounts is Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA). It’s paid to people who have a disability or health condition that means they:
- Can’t work
- Can’t prepare for work
The LCWRA part of UC gives extra money to help with the extra costs that can come with having a disability or health condition.
Why is the Government making changes?
The Government has said:
Many people are struggling to manage on the current standard UC allowance.
Because the LCWRA payment is higher, some people may try to get LCWRA even though they might be able to work if they had the right support.
To address this, the government plans to increase the standard allowance for everyone, while lowering the LCWRA amount for most new claimants.
What’s changing from 6 April 2026?
Under the Universal Credit Act 2025, the following will come into effect:
- For four years from 2026 to 2030, the standard allowance will
increase above inflation - be 4.8% higher by 2029/30 than it would have been under normal inflation‑only increases.
The LCWRA element will reduce for most new claimants
- The payment will decrease from £423.27 to £217.26 per month
- This lower amount will stay the same until 2029/30
Youth Guarantee
Young people aged 18-21 who are placed in the LCWRA group may have to take part in employment support or training programmes.
There’ll be ‘special provisions’ for young people who aren’t able to participate because of their disability or health condition.
Some claimants will be protected
Certain groups will not have their LCWRA payments reduced. Protection applies to:
- Anyone already receiving the LCWRA element
- New claimants who are terminally ill
- New claimants with severe, lifelong conditions who aren’t expected to work.
If you’re in one of these protected groups, your standard allowance and LCWRA element will increase with at least inflation every year until 2029/30.
What does this mean for you?
If you already receive the LCWRA element of UC, your payment will not reduce, and you’re protected from the lower rate if your circumstances don’t significantly change.
If you make a new UC claim after 6 April 2026, you may receive the new, lower LCWRA amount, unless you’re terminally ill or have a severe, lifelong condition that means you cannot be expected to work.
Reassessments after April 2026 could lead to changes in what you receive if your health condition changes significantly or in cases of fraud.
Everyone receiving UC will see an increase in their standard allowance over the next four years.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) say these changes are intended to make sure support is focused on those who need it most and to help more people move into work where possible.
These changes only affect the LCWRA element of UC we’ve described above. All other parts of UC (housing, childcare etc) will continue to be reviewed and increased each year in the usual way.
If you’re an existing claimant who is already in the LCW group but not LCWRA...
If you currently have Limited Capability for Work (LCW) and your condition worsens:
- you can request a review
- you do not need to serve another waiting period
If the DWP decides you now have LCWRA, the LCWRA amount is added from the first day of the Monthly Assessment Period (MAP) in which you asked for the review.
To receive the higher LCWRA amount, you must request a review before the end of the MAP including 5 April 2026.
We’re here to help
These changes are designed to increase basic support for everyone, while giving those with the most serious health conditions the additional support they need. If you’re not sure how this might affect you, please get in touch - we’re here to make things as simple and straightforward as possible.
