Benefits and Work has now included a detailed section on the severe conditions criteria (SCC) for universal credit (UC) in our members’ guide to the work capability assessment.

If you are a current claimant - prior to 6 April 2026 - meeting the SCC should mean that you will not have to be reassessed for the WCA in the future, as your condition is viewed as being lifelong.

If you are a new claimant from 6 April 2026 onwards, the SCC will have much more far reaching effects:

  • Claimants who meet the SCC will get the same rate of the UC health element as current LCWRA claimants.
  • But new claimants who are found to have LCWRA from April 2026, but who do not meet the SCC, will get only around half the amount of money in their UC health element.

So, for new claims from 6 April 2026, the SCC will be exceedingly important.

We’ve drawn on a wide variety of sources to produce guidance on the SCC, including:

  • DWP statistics
  • Universal Credit Bill
  • WCA Handbook
  • Hansard
  • Assessment provider’s training
  • Upper tribunal decisions

One of the biggest issues, likely to be the subject of many appeals, is the definition of the word “constantly”.

Other areas of contention which we look at are around whether a claimant’s diagnosis is valid if it was not carried out by the NHS and whether a claimant will have the condition “for the rest of their life”, if there may be some form of treatment available.

Members can download the latest edition of the “Best Possible ESA and UC Claims: a guide to the work capability assessment

Information on meeting the SCC begins on page 29.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    I have just migrated over to uc from esa support group and am now being asked to reaffirm my commitments for new style esa? I was under the impression I would not have to go through yet more stress,and if I read this correctly I'm going to have to provide medical evidence.im already getting pip for daily living and mobility! 
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    · 12 days ago
    Could you possibly make this information FREE please be a great help I have left hemiplegia cerebral palsy x
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 13 days ago
    I have just found out that 5 people I know l, who get ESA, get £489 every 2 weeks & I only get £289.
    That's a £400 per month downfall.l!!
    Where's the equality in that?
    Is there anything I can do about it?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 13 days ago
      @Samantha Morrison  489 would be for people who receive pip and get an extra disability premium element added if your on ESA and receive pip you need to enquire about missing element 
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    · 13 days ago
    I was migrated (managed) over to UC from esa support group. Is there anyway of finding out if I've met the SCC criteria? I can't seem to find anything online in my UC account about it. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 13 days ago
      @Alan Thank you, they really don't give a lot of information on the online account. I don't have a UC coach? I literally have no idea if and when I'll need a review so really not sure if I have scc or not which is a pain 
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      · 13 days ago
      @Elanor Wood RULE  19  protection . GO  from esa support group to  UC ,   = UC + LCWRA .  LOT coaches dont no understand rule 19 .  as ESA  diffrent dept / benefit . UC   Work based top up . CAN  take several  weeks for INFO  to get from esa  to uc .  LEAVE  note to coach /   SERVICE ISSUIES on ur journal  .....  YOUR  covered rule 19  NO  work  activity = (LCWRA) . 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 13 days ago
      @Elanor Wood  if you where in support group you will be in scc but someone should call you first it will be your UC coach you left in the dark a bit really till a your first payment then you can see what your getting paid but you need to check it i have disability element missing and had to chase it up it tuck 3 weeks to get corrected 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 19 days ago
    DWP is guidance on managing your UC after you have applied!

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    · 20 days ago
    What about copd which will get worse over time , also I have hypermobility syndrome disorder which is genetic,  effects all joints  digestive system,  jaw, teeth etc
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 13 days ago
      @Andi66 Whilst formal assessment is not the gateway to benefits it does help. Especially in the case of hEDS/HSD since this is genetic, hereditary, with no known cure, multi system and progressive. The key is in the day-to-day impact and limitations it presents. I would recommend keeping a health journal for a week and use a template if that helps you with prompts to know what to write and areas of health impact to cover. This can be really helpful as additional evidence as it demonstrates the daily impact. 
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      · 19 days ago
      @Andi66 I think that would be judged on a case-by-case basis, I doubt COPD would meet the severe conditions criteria as my dad has COPD and still works full time in his late 50s, so COPD would probably still have to be reassessed as normal so they can gauge how it affects you as an individual.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 20 days ago
    I'm absolutely terrified over all this, don't know what will happen to someone like me who only gets UC/LCWRA right now, I've got a PIP application on going and just awaiting the verdict, (probably get shafted).
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 13 days ago
      @Neil Cook IF  claim lcwra Now 2026 .  NO  no change 2026-2029 .  Other  lcwra be frozen  £424  mouth . BUT  basic uc £100 week/ £400 mouth  go up as will housing eletnment .   NEW  rules only affect new claims (LCWRA) FROM 5  april 2026 .  TECH  no reassetnments lcwra  for folk who cliamed  b4   april 2026  now   .    
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Does autism spectrum disorder meet all the lcwra and severe conditions 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @James h It all depends upon how the condition affects an individuals ability to function but I wouldn't think it would meet the 'severe conditions' criteria.  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @James h Not necessarily, my friend is autistic and works at the local supermarket, prior to that he was only placed in the LCW group, not LCWRA, so I think it will all depend on how it impacts the individual and what level of daily functioning they have.
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