Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 14 December 2015 to Question 19359, what support his Department plans to provide under universal credit that is currently provided by the Severe Disability Premium.
When we formulated Universal Credit (UC) in 2010, we determined that the Severe Disability Premium was a payment for care costs rather than daily living costs so are not part of Universal Credit. Costs for care are picked up through the social care system.
Under UC the more severely disabled claimants will receive more targeted support. They will receive the Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity element of UC, which is the same level of support that is provided under Employment Support Allowance. Eligibility for these elements will be determined following the outcome of a Work Capability Assessment.