The mistake meant around 15,000 Brits lost out on £180 a month.
Thousands of individuals on Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits could be entitled to substantial amounts of money, due to a mistake. Those on disability benefits might be in for a £5,000 boost from the DWP.
This applies to anyone affected by an error during the switch to Universal Credit before January 2019, which resulted in them losing out on Severe Disability Premiums (SDP) and Enhanced Disability Premiums (EDP). The blunder, potentially decreasing their income by up to £180 monthly, is thought to affect about 15,000 claimants who moved to Universal Credit before the cut off date.
Speaking to BirminghamLive, human rights solicitor Ryan Bradshaw, from Leigh Day, explained more. He said: “I am glad to have settled this claim on behalf of my clients.”
“However, there are thousands of others who have been similarly affected who have not been in a position to bring a claim like this. They too will have experienced the loss of £180 a month after they were moved from legacy benefits on to universal credit in the years before January 2019.”
Bradshaw noted the considerable effect on the individuals’ well-being, remarking: “They too will have suffered unnecessary stress.” On the urgent need for a compensation scheme, he added: “A suitable scheme, compensating all the people who have endured discrimination at the hands of the DWP, ought to be urgently put in place. The mistakes made here should never be repeated.”
To contact Universal Credit, claimants can log in to their online account or call the helpline on 0800 328 5644. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech difficulties can use the textphone service on 0800 328 1344, or utilise Relay UK by dialling 18001 followed by 0800 328 5644.
Alternatively, claimants can access the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service from a computer. Welsh speakers can call 0800 328 1744, Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm.
A DWP spokesperson stated: “Following this ruling the department has begun the process of compensating affected claimants.”
