Protecting Universal Credit for disabled young people
Learn how we’re supporting young people facing barriers to work, including access to social security.
We’re working in partnership with 17 charities across housing, disability, health and children’s sectors to protect the Universal Credit health element for young people.
What is the Universal Credit health element?
The health element is an additional payment for those with a disability or health condition who are in receipt of Universal Credit.
It is allocated to those that the UK government recognise have a health condition that significantly impacts their ability to work.
49% of households with young people
25-year-old Callum has experience of homelessness, a history of psychosis, and has learning disabilities.
He is currently claiming Universal Credit with the health element.
Callum was previously a resident at Action for Children’s Housing support service, Amaryllis, where he received support to develop independent living skills, apply for social security, and search for work.
Now, he works as a part-time Young Person Worker at the project, alongside two other jobs.
Callum has found the health element payment to be a lifeline, and feels he wouldn't have been able to work without it.
If I didn’t have the health element, I would be in a terrible position.
He tells us: "Because of my previous episodes of psychosis and my learning difficulties, getting into work was difficult. With the safety net of the payment, I knew if I became unwell, or felt I couldn't cope, the health element was there."
Callum feels that the right support for young people to access work isn't in place, and that the government's proposal to restrict Universal Credit health element for young people could create even more barriers.
Young people want to work, but the support and opportunities to help them do so aren’t there, this is something that needs to be improved.
We help decision-makers understand and respond to the needs of children and young people by bringing their voices into the conversation.
