07-12-2021 Universal credit - changes for 16-17 year olds

This is an urgent update about Universal Credit for young people aged 16 and 17 claiming whilst receiving education. 

The Department for Work and Pensions plans to introduce new roles to make it more difficult for students to claim Universal Credit, which will start to apply to Universal Credit claims made on or after 15th December 2021. 

From that date it will no longer be possible for someone who is 'receiving education' to qualify for Universal Credit by way of making a 'credits only' claim for new-style Employment and Support Allowance. Instead, a disabled student in education will only be able to claim Universal Credit if they had established a 'limited capability for work' before they started receiving education. 

Young people who haven't reached the September after their 19th birthday, alongside older students who are in full time advanced education will no longer be able to claim Universal Credit. 

This presentation from the EDA sets out the position in more detail.