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Proposed welfare cuts: facts and support

28th March 2025

Home • News • Proposed welfare cuts: facts and support

Proposed welfare cuts: facts and support

The government have proposed sweeping changes to financial support for people of working age who have limiting health conditions. The proposal includes:

  • Restrictions to who is entitled to the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Reduction in the amount of Universal Credit (UC) for people with limited capacity to work-related activities (LCWRA)
  • Restricting LCWRA payments to only those older than 22.

These cuts would come into effect from April 2026.

Changes to PIP: the details

The PIP daily living component, according to the proposal, would only be awarded to people who need assistance, supervision or prompting from another person in at least one of the ten PIP daily living activities. People who manage their daily life without direct involvement of other people would no longer meet the entitlement criteria.

This could mean that many people who are currently getting PIP, following an award review after November 2026, may no longer be entitled to it. Those affected may also lose access to other support, such as

  • Exemption from the benefit cap
  • Exemption from non-dependent deductions
  • Exemption from the bedroom tax
  • Disability premiums on income-based benefits

What this means for unpaid carers

At the moment, if you care for someone who receives PIP, you can qualify for

  • Carer’s Allowance
  • The UC carer element
  • Carer premiums on other income-based benefits
  • Council Tax carer discount.

Therefore, the government’s decision to restrict PIP payments may cause carers to lose a range of financial support too.

Let’s take action

Although the proposals are very concerning for many carers, they are not yet set in stone. None of the changes would come into effect until April 2026. For now, we can all take action to try and stop the cuts.

  • The government has launched a consultation which is open until the end of June
  • There are petitions against the cuts
  • You can get involved with campaigns such as ‘Disabled People Against Cuts’
  • You can contact your local MP, either directly or Sense – a disability charity, have a helpful template you can use. There’s space for you to share why this issue matters to you personally. #HaveYourSay
  • More organisations and grassroots groups are expected to offer opportunities to voice your opinion against these cuts.

Support…

Although there is a clear intention of the government to cut disability-related benefits and push disabled people and their carers into work, they are also planning to increase the UC standard allowance slightly. They may also increase the age of children who can receive Disability Living Allowance to 18.

We know the proposed cuts are frightening and frustrating for carers and disabled people.

This is Gaddum’s response. We’ve also included some resources below which may be of help…

 

Salford Welfare Rights & Debt Advice

Get free confidential and independent advice on benefits, or debt problems.

The team can provide help with benefits and tax credits, assist with claim forms, and provide support with appeals if you disagree with a decision.

Self-referrals can be made via their online referral form or call 0800 345 7375, Monday to Friday, 10am – 12pm.

Help with debt problems is also offered including financial statements, creditor negotiations and court representation.

Debt advice line: 0800 345 7323. This is open Mondays and Wednesdays, 1pm – 4pm and on Fridays, 9:30am – 12:30pm.

Citizens Advice Salford

Free, confidential and impartial advice to Salford residents together with campaigning on big issues affecting people’s lives.

You can get face-to-face advice.

Or call their freephone number 0808 278 7802, Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm.

Their website has lots of useful information about benefits.

In addition, they have published a comprehensive summary of the planned changes and wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the costs of living with disabilities.

 

Carers UK

The leading national charity for unwaged carers has released this response to the Government’s publication of the welfare reform green paper proposing changes to disability and health benefits.

Here is their response to the Government’s Spring Statement.

 

Financial Checklist for Carers

Unsure if you’re missing out on support? Check out this handy checklist of financial support from Mobilise Carers.

 

Carer’s Assessment from Salford City Council

Did you know you have a statutory right to a free Carer’s Assessment from your local authority? This can help you to identify support to help you in your caring role.

To request one, contact 0161 206 0604 | salford.socialservices@nca.nhs.uk | or if you’re hard of hearing text 07970 134 894.

 

Gaddum Salford Carers Service

We provide one-to-one support sessions and offer a package of support tailored to your needs as a carer. We want to make sure you know your statutory rights, what you’re entitled to, as well as having the right advice, support and coping mechanisms to look after your own wellbeing.

We also have a range of free activities for carers in Salford including:

  • Come For A Cuppa (with themed activities)
  • Carers Walks
  • Free Workshops & Courses
  • Carers Focus Groups
  • Carer Socials
  • Carers Newsletter