The UK’s disability benefits system is in the middle of a big shake-up. The government wants to cut billions from the budget, but at the same time, there’s a push to make the system fairer and easier for disabled people to navigate. Right now, millions of people rely on a benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is meant to help with the extra costs of living with a long-term physical or mental health condition. But the system has been criticized for being complicated, stressful, and unfair. Many people have to go through repeated assessments, and some are denied support even when they clearly need it.
To fix these problems, an independent group called the Commission on Social Security is proposing a brand-new benefit called the Additional Costs Disability Payment. This new system would replace PIP and aims to be simpler, fairer, and more respectful of disabled people’s needs. The Commission is made up of experts who have firsthand experience with the welfare system, so they understand the challenges people face.
Under the new proposal, there would be three levels of support:
- £83.70 per week for people who need a lower level of help.
- £152.15 per week for those who need more support.
- £230.77 per week for people with the highest level of need.
The new system would also cover a wider range of needs, like personal care, safety, managing a household, getting around, and taking part in social activities. Assessments would focus on understanding what people need, rather than trying to find reasons to deny them help. Another big change is that some people would get support for life, without having to go through constant reassessments. This would be a huge relief for those with conditions that aren’t going to improve.
The Commission’s proposal comes at a crucial time because the government is also planning its own reforms to disability benefits. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is expected to release a Green Paper this spring, outlining its plans to cut £3 billion from the welfare budget. Disability rights groups are worried that these cuts will make life even harder for disabled people, who are already struggling with rising living costs and a system that often feels stacked against them.
Ken Butler, a policy adviser at Disability Rights UK, says the Commission’s consultation is a much-needed alternative to the government’s plans. He’s urging disabled people and advocacy groups to take part in the consultation to make sure their voices are heard. The government, on the other hand, says the current system needs to be reformed to make it fairer for taxpayers and to help more people move into work. They’ve promised to work with disabled people and organizations to develop their proposals.
The Commission’s consultation is open to anyone who wants to share their views, including disabled people, advocacy groups, and organizations. The feedback they collect will help shape the final recommendations, which will be presented to the government later this year. If the new system is approved, it could be introduced in 2025.
This is a critical moment for disability benefits in the UK. The current system isn’t working for many people, and there’s a real opportunity to create something better. But it’s also a time of uncertainty, with the government looking to cut costs and disabled people worried about losing the support they rely on. By taking part in the consultation, disabled people and their advocates can help shape a system that truly meets their needs and treats them with dignity and respect.
