Today, the Department for Work and Pensions have announced significant plans for reforming the welfare system. While we appreciate the Government’s ambition of helping people who can work to do so, we are deeply concerned about the potential impact on young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
Delays to vital support could negatively impact seriously ill young adults
The proposal to delay access to the health element of Universal Credit until the age of 22 risks leaving vulnerable young adults without the critical support they need. While the green paper notes that special provisions will be considered, it is vital that the Government urgently provides these young people and their families with clear assurances that they will not be adversely affected by any cuts.
Our Chief Executive, Nick Carroll said:
“Any delay in accessing the health element of Universal Credit could deny seriously ill young people access to a vital benefit at a time when their health is deteriorating and their costs increasing.
These young adults already face significantly higher costs, including transport to appointments, the need to power life-saving equipment to the extra expenses incurred for specialised care.
It is imperative that the Government acts now to guarantee that our most vulnerable young people are not plunged further into financial hardship.”
Together for Short Lives calls on the Government to urgently provide robust assurances that these families will be shielded from any cuts to their welfare support. We remain committed to ensuring seriously ill children, young people and their families are supported by a system that meets all of their needs.