08/04/2026
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You can read this newsletter online https://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=144836&f=2941&s=6745&m=1198590&t=9e9c98a7d9387eb5c584b7e81a15d03a3040ca2700682dadb514b7c01a8d57f0
Dear Subscriber,
In this edition we publish updated resources as the savage cuts to universal credit (UC) for new claims begins.
We reveal that vulnerable managed migration claimants are facing homelessness as DWP safeguarding fails.
We warn of the possibility of the Streeting review being used as cover for benefit cuts, as it publishes its interim report.
And we highlight another legal challenge to UC migration council tax hikes, plus steps you may want to take if you are affected.
In our feedback section, it took Dawn a year to get an employment and support allowance (ESA) decision. Amy, on the other hand, had a personal independence payment (PIP) review decision in two weeks. Kelly didn’t know anything about PIP when the Jobcentre told her to claim.
And Brian, who also had a PIP review, tells readers “To everyone who reads these experiences, keep fighting and keep sharing them as they do help in ways you will never know.”
To which we can only add our wholehearted agreement – please share yours.
Good luck,
Steve Donnison
SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE B&W COMMUNITY
Many thanks to everyone who takes the trouble to post in the forum or email us with news of your success. We know it’s many readers favourite, and most encouraging, bit of the newsletter.
If you have a success story, please consider sharing it.
“I am so grateful for your guides”
“I've just received my ESA award letter, a whole year after applying. I'm in the Support Group, which is a huge relief! I am so grateful for your guides, they really helped put me in the mindset to give the kind of information needed, and prepared me for the many hurdles along the way. Thank you so so much!”
Dawn
“Thank you for all you do”
“I had my review through at Christmas just gone, for my award, for renewal in August 2026. I returned it with evidence as per date given. I was stunned that 2 weeks later they had renewed my PIP on enhanced rate of both descriptors as an ongoing award. The relief, and tears fell. As I am 64 now, I felt sure it should be an ongoing award going on everything I have learnt from being a member of B & W since 2007, however until it was confirmed I didn't quite believe it. Thank you B & W for all you have done and do to make this process easier. I shall still be continuing to subscribe as I help others, and want to keep up with what's going on. This isn't just about me, and mine. It's about the fight for justice generically, continuing, and being part of this community. Thank you for all you do.”
Amy
“You got me through it, thank you.”
“I want to thank Benefits and work, the jobcentre told me to claim over 2 years ago, I didn't know anything about pip. I joined your group read everything you suggested, I honestly feel if I hadn't I would have struggled without your wording, your advice. Took 6 months to get awarded!! I couldn't have gone through that again!! No wonder people give up!! You got me through it, thank you. The review was so much easier very condensed form, same questions, luckily id kept my reward and points from before. I scored 12 mobility got enhanced, both times, middle rate care, 8 points, this time 9, same reward. . . Wish you all good luck, and use this Benefits and work forum, amazing, and with their help you should get good results.”
Kelly
“THANK YOU again to everyone at Benefits and Work”
“I have been using your website for many, many years. I recently had my PIP review on November 13th 2025. I filled out the forms making sure I read a lot of the advice contained on your website. I sent them back and they were received on the 10th of December 2025.
To my surprise, by the 14th of December yes only 4 days later I had the dreaded text saying I would receive my decision by post within 14 days, why they cannot tell you in the text i don't know? Once I received the letter it took me a little while to open it due to the extremely high stress this causes. I have been through many many reviews, medicals and tribunals for over 20 years. So, expecting the worsetsuch as having to have another medical or expecting them to give me zero points.......to my utter amazement I had my high rate in both EXTENDED for a futher 6 years.
My jaw opened wide and I started welling up. The pressure these reviews cause is immense. But I'm so so relieved, I can now continue to live a normal life even though in severe pain but not having to worry about another medical. So, THANK YOU again to everyone at Benefits and Work. To everyone who reads these experiences, keep fighting and keep sharing them as they do help in ways you will never know.”
Brian
Share Your Success Story
SAVAGE SEVERE CONDITIONS CRITERIA (SCC) CUTS HAVE BEGUN
Labour’s savage severe conditions criteria (SCC) cuts to UC have now taken effect for new claims from 6 April.
Under the revised rules, new claimants who have limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA), but do not meet the SCC, receive a UC health component payment of just £217.26 per month. Existing claimants and those who meet the SCC receive £429.80 per month, however.
We’ve updated our guide to the WCA, which now includes:
a detailed explanation of how the SCC works
alerts to warn you which descriptors qualify as you complete the WCA50 form
details of how and where on the WCA50 form to show whether you qualify
sample SCC answers
sample SCC case studies.
We’ve also published a public FAQ about who how claimants qualify for the SCC and we’ve updated our free WCA self-test to include the SCC.
Read More and Comment
VULNERABLE ESA TO UC CLAIMANTS FACING HOMELESSNESS
The National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers (NAWRA) has written to the Work and Pensions Select Committee warning that vulnerable managed migration claimants are not safe in the hands of the DWP.
The letter gives many examples from the caseloads of advisers of claimants facing homelessness:
A 62 year old claimant who had a brain injury and a stroke has two carers visiting four times a day and needs an interpreter. He was unable to manage the UC claim process and was offered no reasonable adjustments. His legacy benefits were stopped in July 2025 and he has now built up large rent arrears.
A claimant who lives with schizophrenia had his claim stopped for failing to attend a Jobcentre Plus interview to verify his ID, in spite of his sister helping him make the initial phone call to claim UC and explaining why he couldn’t do it himself. The claimant receives PIP for severe mental illness but, with no other income, is now facing eviction.
Another claimant with a history of being sectioned due to severe mental illness has a care package in place. She made two attempts to claim UC, but both were closed because she failed to verify her ID. Legal proceedings have now begun to evict her.
NAWRA is calling for automatic migration for the relatively small number of ESA claimants who have yet to make the move.
Read More and Comment
INTERIM REPORT BY STREETING REVIEW POINTS TO POSSIBLE USE FOR BENEFITS CUTS
The Streeting review into mental health and neurodiversity overdiagnosis has issued an interim report on its progress, which suggests - even though benefits are not mentioned - that the final report may be a useful tool for those looking to justify cuts.
Amongst the claims in the interim report:
ADHD diagnosis is sometimes pursued for reasons other than treatment;
“behaviours in children once regarded as within the range of normal variation, or even as something to be welcomed in some contexts” are now diagnosed as autism;
young people diagnosed with mental distress have problems not just with low mood but with attention, self-management, resilience and loneliness – in other words with non-mental health issues;
young people not in education, employment or training cost the state up to £100,000 each and wider society up to £300,000;
“the status quo is unlikely to be sustainable or fair in its present form.”
All in all, the report seems to be shaping up to argue that a lot of diagnoses are inappropriate because the problems are not medical ones, the current system costs too much and something has to change.
Read More and Comment
ANOTHER LEGAL CHALLENGE TO UC MIGRATION COUNCIL TAX HIKES
Local authorities are bracing themselves for another legal challenge to their decision to hike council tax bills for claimants who were forced to migrate from ESA to UC.
We previously reported on two claimants who brought a claim against Three Rivers District Council in relation to the failure to disregard their transitional protection element. In that case the claim was settled before a full hearing
Now, another claimant, Andy Mitchell, has challenged Somerset Council’s council tax reduction policy. Somerset, like a number of other councils, only disregards the housing element of UC but counts all other aspects, including child and disability related elements as income.
While Andy used to not have to pay any council tax, he is now being asked to pay more than £1,100 per year – despite there being no change in his level of income or his needs.
This time the challenge is likely to go to a full hearing and may have implications for other councils and other claimants.
Find out more about the case and the steps you can take if you are in a similar position.
Read More and Comment
PIP ON-DEMAND TRAINING
DO YOU NEED TO BE CERTAIN THAT YOU UNDERSTAND PIP?
“Thanks for the pip training.. invaluable!! I have received pip renewal for the next 4 years. I used your wording from the training.. such as I didn't feel I could complete the task in a safe, timely or repeated manner for more than 50% of the time . . .I also put down as my "aids" which help my condition an app that tracks my mood in order to help me know when I need to ring the GP. I also put down the calm app which helps me relax when I'm stressed as this is my trigger to ill mental health . . . I would never of thought to put those as "aids" unless I had watched the training video . Many thanks !!”
Do you find it really challenging to make your client’s issues fit within the PIP descriptors and worry that they are not getting the award that they should?
Or do you want the chance to test your understanding of PIP, because getting your own claim right is absolutely vital?
If so, our PIP On-Demand training may be just what you need.
With a mixture of text, slides, videos, case studies and quizzes, our courses are interactive, keeping you motivated and engaged.
And there’s always support from a welfare rights worker available to help you, if there’s anything you are struggling with.
Find out more about our easy-to-follow online courses that you can take at your own pace and at a time that suits you.
On-Demand Training
Next Edition
The next edition is due out on 22 April. Until then, we're always happy to get your feedback and suggestions for future stories.
Good luck,
The Office Team
Benefits and Work Publishing Ltd
Company registration No. 5962666
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Savage UC Cuts Have Begun, Managed Migration Claimants Face Homelessness, Streeting Review Cover For Cuts.
Subscriber, Benefits and Work has been helping people like you get the benefits they are entitled to for over 20 years. If you are making a claim, or going through a review, don't do it alone - get the support of the Benefits and Work community.
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