Disability benefits change means my son could lose £200 a month - it's terrifying

Erika Lye says she is the sun in her house, always smiling for her sons Logan, 20, and Jack, 16.

But she is worried about money behind closed doors.

She is concerned that a recent update to Universal Credit's health aspect could lead to her family's death due to a financial "cliff edge."

The first reforms are going into place this summer after a summer of national unrest over pensions last year. New applicants for the health-up-to Universal Credit, an additional payment that helps people who can't work due to injury or sickness, will receive half of what current claimants receive from Monday, June 6th.

The government claims it expects to save £1 billion by 2030/31 by lowering the payments from £429. Current claimants have earned 80 per cent less money in comparison to £217.26 a month for new ones.

According to a spokesperson, the Universal Credit system had "forced too many people to be written off, left behind, and denied the opportunity to create better lives for themselves and their families.

"We're bringing these changes forward because we're increasing the risk of work, ensuring sick or disabled people have access to genuine assistance, and lowering the standard rate of living by raising the common rate of Universal Credit.

Any young person under the age of 16 or attending classes on April 6th must apply after that date.

Logan Lye has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties. In 2025, he applied for the Universal Credit health top-up, also known as Limited-Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA), and will be in line to receive the full £429.80 per month.

However, his younger brother, Jack, who is autistic and nonverbal, will only be eligible to apply after being homeschooled until June 6th.

This means he could be paid £200 less a month than Logan, and Mother Erika says that is what keeps her up at night.

"I am so concerned. I'm going to force my child to stay because I can't even feed them.

There are some exceptions to these changes. Many who apply after June 6th but are nearing the end of life or meet the Severe Conditions Criteria will continue to be eligible for the higher rate.

According to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), this policy would include a healthcare professional who

must demonstrate that their level of activity will always meet the LCWRA requirements

- implying that their illness is lifelong and has no real possibility of recovery.

However, the situations are yet to be decided on, so although Erika hopes Jack will be able to see them, she is concerned that she can't right now.

According to the government's impact statement on Universal Credit's reform, several people were already struggling to get by on the reduced allowance of £400 for a single person, implying that the health-care package, worth an additional £400, was a temptation not to function, and the entire scheme needs to be rebalanced.

It reported that, in 2019/2020, 9 million people received the health boost, but it was expected to rise to three million by 2029/30.

According to the impact statement, "This policy is bad for people, bad for companies, and bad for the economy.

"We know that good work is beneficial for people's mental and physical wellbeing.

However, families who rely on the top-up and the charities that support them are concerned about the consequences, while others are concerned about the consequences as well.

Derek Sinclair, a senior welfare affairs specialist with the charity Contact, says the changes would be a "massive financial blow."

I believe in a few cases, the money's all being pooled together as one household kitty to help cover any expenses the disabled child has,

he said.

"We already know that many families with disabled children are struggling financially. They're missing out on things such as therapies, computers, and activities. We've got very real concerns about their situation.

According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, half of those receiving the Universal Credit health check-up are either unable to heat their house, behind on bills, or have poor food security.

According to reports, nearly 900,000 children are expected to live in a household where someone else receives it.

According to the charity, younger recipients were "at even greater risk of hardship.

According to senior policy advisor Iain Porter, the fact that the change came into operation overnight made the "unjust situation" even worse.

The government should rather be ensuring that Universal Credit is at least adequate to afford essentials,

he said.