Have your say on welfare reforms by Monday 30 June

In March, the Government published its biggest welfare reform in decades. To have your say on these proposed changes, submit your feedback before 30 June. Make sure your voice is heard by completing this form, or contacting your MP here. 

On 30 June, the UK Government will close its feedback portal for the proposed welfare reforms, which means you have less than a week to get your thoughts in. These changes largely affect sick and disabled people, in an effort to push parts of the population back into work. 

Through our ongoing work to support those living with CRPS, we know that this condition can be unpredictable. Some members of our community may feel as though they cannot commit to regular work. We understand these concerns and encourage members to submit their feedback about the proposed welfare reforms before Monday’s deadline. 

Remember that these changes are only proposals and not part of the law. In order to enact these reforms, The UK Government first needs parliamentary approval from the House of Parliament to progress these changes. 

So far, more than 130 MPs have expressed concern about the proposed changes, signing a letter that stated the reforms were “impossible to support” without amendments. While Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has since made changes to the bill, many MPs remain grounded in their decision to vote against the reforms.

Remember that these changes are only proposals and not part of the law. In order to enact these reforms, The UK Government first needs parliamentary approval from the House of Parliament to progress these changes

• Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will have stricter eligibility rules
• The health element of Universal Credit will decrease from £97 each week to £50 each week for new claimants
• Delayed access to the health element of Universal Credit until claimants are aged 22
• Work Capability Assessments will end, with claimants relying on PIP results for their eligibility to Universal Credit
• Those with the most severe health conditions who already receive benefits will not be reasssesed and will receive extra income support through Universal Credit 
• £775 will be added annually for claimants of the Standard Allowance of Universal Credit 

For more in-depth explanations of the proposed changes, you can read Our response to UK Government Benefits Announcement that was published in March when the changes were first announced. 

You can also keep up to date via the official UK Government website.

The ‘Severe Conditions Criteria group’ will be exempt from any benefit cuts in this welfare reform. To qualify as part of this group, claimants must be diagnosed as such by an NHS medical practitioner. The UK Government has released guidance for medical practitioners to consider during their assessments of patients. 

The four key criteria needed to qualify for this group include:

• The individual’s level of function will always meet the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity criteria (LCWRA)
• The individual’s condition will last for the rest of their life
• There is no realistic prospect of recovery of function
• The condition has been diagnosed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional in the course of the provision of NHS services

We urge you to submit your feedback on these changes by the Monday 30 June deadline. 

Should these changes come into effect, we recommend making adjustments to preserve the support you do receive. You can: 

• Trial the new PIP test to see how you may be assessed under the new system 
• Apply for the health element of Universal Credit before April 2026, as this is when new claimants will start to receive a lower weekly payment   
• Gather medical evidence to support future claims (this can only be issued by NHS medical practitioners, not private doctors) 

• Citizens Advice offer informative guidance on whether you are eligible for benefits and how to access them 
• The UK’s network of Local Law Centres gives you free access to legal advice to support your benefits claims
• Charities like Mind and Samaritans can offer support if your mental health has been affected by these proposed changes 
• If you have a formal diagnosis of CRPS, you can register for the Burning Nights counselling service. Please be aware that there is currently a long waiting list for this service 
• Talk to people in similar situations via our Online Community Forum
• If you are part of the Burning Nights membership scheme, you can access the UK’s Benefits and Work guides. Email us with your membership number to gain access 

Stay informed about new changes to the proposals via the official Government website or disability charities such as Turn2Us and Scope. We’ll be updating our guidance as often as possible.

Do remember to submit your feedback on these changes by 30 June.