The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is expected to make a decision next month on restricting access to Universal Credit for claimants born after 2004. The decision will be part of the Labour government's report on Young People and Work, due to be published in September, which will outline future changes to work and social security benefits for young people.
The report is expected to include a decision on whether to introduce a minimum age of 22 for entitlement to the limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) element, commonly known as the 'health element', within Universal Credit. The government has already consulted on this proposal, which would affect people born before 2004.
Youth Guarantee and PIP changes
The government states that this change, alongside the change to the minimum age for claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), would underpin the Youth Guarantee. This initiative expects virtually all young people covered by the guarantee, aged 18 to 21, to be engaging with work or training-related activity.
According to the government, the savings generated from this change would be reinvested into work support and training opportunities for this age group. The consultation on the minimum age of 22 has been completed, and the decision is now pending.
Minister's statement on timing
In April this year, Sir Stephen Timms issued an update on the matter. He said: "Alan Milburn’s review on the NEET problem more broadly will report in September; we will wait until then to decide whether to delay access to the universal credit health element until the age of 22."
He added: "If we did do that, there would need to be exceptions." This indicates that any restriction would not be absolute and would consider individual circumstances.
Current support for young claimants
As it stands, if you get Universal Credit and are aged 16 to 24, you could get extra help to find work through the DWP's Youth Guarantee Journey. Claimants should ask their work coach if they can get this help, according to the DWP website.
While on the Youth Guarantee Journey, claimants will continue to receive Universal Credit in line with the agreements made in their claimant commitment. The upcoming decision will determine whether the health element remains accessible to those under 22 or is deferred until that age.
