| Update from The Department for Communities on Severe Disability Payment (SDP) enhancement. Background: Legacy benefit claimants who had a Severe Disability Premium (SDP) when they made a new claim to Universal Credit had a transitional SDP element included in their Universal Credit award if they met the eligibility criteria as follows: They make a claim to Universal Credit within one month of being entitled to an SDP on one of the following benefits: Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and they continue to be entitled to: A Personal Independence Payment (daily living component at standard or enhanced rate), Disability Living Allowance (care component at middle or higher rate), Armed Forces Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, or Constant Attendance Allowance. The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 On 11 January 2024, the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (legislation.gov.uk) were made and, in line with equivalent Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) legislation, came into operation on 14 February 2024. The regulations make provision for additional amounts to be added to the SDP Transitional Protection element for claimants who move to Universal Credit following a change in their circumstances, addressing the existing disparity of payments between legacy benefit and Universal Credit claimants. This change will apply to those claimants who move to Universal Credit as a result of a change of circumstances from 14 February 2024. The SDP Transitional Protection for Universal Credit claimants will be made in respect of: Enhanced disability premium Disability premium, and The difference between the disabled child premium/disabled child element and the lower rate of the disabled child addition in Universal Credit. Operational processes have been developed and enhancements made to the Universal Credit computer system which will ensure new Universal Credit claimants who were eligible for any of these premiums at the start of their claim are identified. An additional top up, equivalent to the value of their existing premium will be included in their SDP transitional element. As is currently the case this additional transitional element will erode over time, as benefits are uprated, or new elements are included in an eligible claimant’s Universal Credit award. Further exploratory work needs to be completed with the Department for Work and Pensions to develop and agree a way forward for those claiming Universal Credit before 14 February 2024 who remain impacted by the loss of their disability premiums. For queries on the SDP enhancements contact: [email protected] DfC Corporate Communications Department for Communities Causeway Exchange 1-7 Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7EG |
DfC Update on Severe Disability Payment (SDP) enhancement
