Universal credit (removal of disability premiums)

Hello
Have just read the link about disability hate crime and noticed that this morning Crazydiamond said he thought their was a softening up process going on by the government and that the end result would be the removal of enhanced disability and severe disability premiums when universal credit is introduced. That was a bit of a shock to me as i thought we would be covered by some sort of transitional protection. Does anyone know if we are protected or not as that would be a lot of money to lose.
kind regards
Sue

Gordon,
Thanks for your quick response. That's sort of what i was thinking would happen, we would be alright on transition but would lose out long term. I guess we will all have to wait and see. Still have the transition to esa to negotiate and with M.E am looking forward to the fun and games to commence. Am heartened to see other members with M.E have got into support group so fingers crossed.
best wishes
Sue

Sue wrote:

Hello
Have just read the link about disability hate crime and noticed that this morning Crazydiamond said he thought their was a softening up process going on by the government and that the end result would be the removal of enhanced disability and severe disability premiums when universal credit is introduced. That was a bit of a shock to me as i thought we would be covered by some sort of transitional protection. Does anyone know if we are protected or not as that would be a lot of money to lose.
kind regards
Sue

What I have quoted in the Benefit News section is indeed the government's intentions with Universal Credit (UC), when it is introduced nationally in October 2013.

New claimants who are deemed unfit for work will only be entitled to either the limited capability for work (LCW) element, or the limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) element within the calculation of UC entitlement, although a carer element will continue to be included in the applicable amount as will some other elements if appropriate?

Existing claimants who are transferred to UC will retain some degree of transitional protection, but this may not continue indefinitely at a point when certain changes of circumstances occur. See:-

Universal Credit Policy Briefing Note - Transitional Protection.

and

Disability Rights UK Factsheet - Universal Credit (UC).

As this issue is essentially benefit discussion the thread is locked so that no further replies will be permitted, but members are free to add comments in the relevant news item of the Benefit News section.