The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has significantly altered its benefit rules for families with children who have mental health conditions, including anxiety and ADHD. The change, announced by the Labour government, removes a key requirement that was previously in place.
What the Rule Change Means for Families
Under the new policy, youngsters with conditions like anxiety or ADHD will be exempt from a requirement to do 12 hours a week of education or unpaid training. This exemption is crucial for their parents or guardians to continue receiving certain benefits. Previously, parents could only receive Child Benefit if their child was in full-time, non-advanced education. This rule has now been relaxed specifically for those with these mental health and neurodivergent conditions.
The shift represents a direct intervention by ministers in the new government, who have acted to water down the existing regulations. The move is framed as part of a broader mission to overhaul the welfare state and tackle economic inactivity.
Starmer's Vision for Welfare and Economic Renewal
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the rationale behind the change on Monday, 1 December 2025. He argued that the previous system risked trapping young people in a cycle of dependency.
"If you are ignored that early in your career, if you’re not given the support you need to overcome your mental health issues, or if you are simply written off because you’re neurodivergent or disabled, then it can trap you in a cycle of worklessness and dependency for decades," Starmer stated. He emphasised that this was not only a personal cost but also a national one, damaging productivity and wasting potential.
In a piece for The Guardian, the Prime Minister positioned this welfare adjustment within a larger economic plan. He promised a "big, bold long-term plan" focused on renewal, rather than quick fixes, with the government's performance to be judged at the next election.
DWP's Stance on a "Broken" System
A spokesperson for the DWP confirmed the policy shift, stating the department is "changing the broken welfare system we inherited." Their approach includes tackling incentives that may encourage sickness claims, increasing face-to-face assessments, and investing £1 billion to help sick and disabled people find secure employment.
This reform marks a clear departure from previous welfare conditionality for vulnerable groups. It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by young people with ADHD and anxiety disorders, aiming to provide support without penalising them for difficulties in engaging with standard education or training routes.
