People with certain health conditions may be able to get hundreds more each month
People with certain health conditions could be eligible for extra support from Universal Credit. How much they could get may depend on when they told the Department for Work and Pensions of their condition and what their diagnosis actually is.
The support can be worth hundreds each month, and is to do with the limited capability for and work-related activity (LCWRA) or the ‘health element’ of Universal Credit. Following some rule changes in April, the support is now offered at two different rates, a higher and lower amount.
People who were getting LCWRA before April 6, 2026 are not affected by this change. But those who claimed after this date will only be able to get the higher amount if they have a severe, lifelong health condition that is unlikely to change throughout the course of their life or if they are nearing the end of their life.
The higher amount is worth £429.80 and the lower rate is £217.26, which is paid to those claiming LCWRA after April 6 who don’t meet either of the two criteria for the higher amount.
A health professional may review your medical evidence as part of a Work Capability Assessment to see if your condition qualifies as severe and lifelong without likelihood of change.
Official Government guidance notes that if all of the following apply, you’ll likely be counted as having a severe and lifelong condition:
- Your condition means you cannot work
- The disability will last your whole life
- Your condition will not get better over time
- You have been officially diagnosed by a health professional
If you live with your partner and you both have LCWRA, you’ll only get one extra monthly amount. And if only one of you is entitled to the higher amount then you will get the higher amount.
When applying for Universal Credit, you’ll need to report if you have a health condition or disability. This can include details like:
- Needing supporting in work
- Work needs to be suitable for your needs
- You are unable to work temporarily or long term because of your health
You may need to provide details like:
- Medical treatments you’re receiving
- If you’re in or expected to go into hospital
- If you’re pregnant
When claiming Universal Credit, you must report any change of circumstances as soon as possible. This includes if your health condition gets better or worse, or if you’re diagnosed with something new. More information about the Universal Credit health element can be found on the Gov.uk website.
