FAQs on welfare reform
The Government has announced plans to reform the current benefits system for disabled people. The proposals are being discussed and debated by MPs. On this page, we outline the proposals, how we have responded so far, next steps, and what you can do.
Page updated: 15 July 2025
The legislation Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was introduced on 18 June 2025. As of 9 July, the Bill has now been renamed Universal Credit Act 2025.
On 1 July MPs voted on the Government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. Following significant concerns raised by individuals and organisations, including the Trust, the Government made changes to the Bill before it was voted on.
On 9 July, the House of Commons voted on the Bill at its third reading. The Government made further concessions, assuring that the majority of the Timms review taskforce looking at PIP must be disabled people or from disability organisations.
The Universal Credit Bill has been listed for its second reading in the House of Lords as a money bill. This means that the Lords can suggest amendments, but the Commons doesn’t have to accept them, and the Bill will become law one month after it completes all its stages in the Lords.
This is an uncertain time for many, but we do know that anyone currently in receipt of Universal Credit and PIP will not be affected. This law, if it passes, will only affect future claimants. It’s important now more than ever to get advice on whether your current benefits are correct. If you currently don’t receive any benefits, we encourage you to get advice now as there could be support available to you to help with the additional costs of having CF.
-
What has the Government proposed?
The Government put forward a number of proposals to significantly change the benefits system, particularly for people with health conditions and disabilities. They published a consultation Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper [gov.uk], which the Trust has responded to. They then published a Bill which was first debated and voted on in parliament on 1 July.
Key elements that we are concerned about are:
- PIP 4-point rule (where claimants would have had to score a minimum of 4 points on one element of the PIP assessment) – Due to pressure on the Government, the 4-point rule is being removed entirely from the Bill. It will not apply to any claimants as things stand currently. Instead, any changes to PIP will be decided by a review, led by Government minister Sir Stephen Timms MP.
- (UC) Health element current claimants – People who are already entitled to this new element were protected in the Bill from the cut to the UC health element and additionally they won't have the UC health element frozen.
- (UC) Health elements new claimants – New universal credit (UC) health element claimants from April 2026 will still see their UC health element almost halved and frozen.
- The severe conditions criteria (SCC) – From April 2026, new claimants who meet the SCC will not have to face future reassessments for health element of universal credit, though they will still be reassessed for personal independence payment (PIP). The SCC have very stringent criteria which are very hard for most disabled people to meet.
-
What have the Trust been doing?
The Trust have been briefing MPs and Lords
Cystic Fibrosis Trust have been briefing MPs and the Lords on key issues for the debate. This includes suggesting alternative policies, providing evidence on what life is like living with cystic fibrosis, and explaining the consequences of the changes to Universal Credit.
The Trust submitted a response to the consultation
Cystic Fibrosis Trust submitted a response informed by the experiences of people with CF and their families. We also worked with front line experts, social workers and our Welfare and Rights Adviser to ensure the best possible representation to the Government. The Government received over 45,000 submissions from the public and organisations.
The Trust met with government minister Sir Stephen Timms
On Monday 30 June, we met with the Minister for Social Security and Disability alongside other senior members of the DWP. The Trust presented our points on a key day for the Government, shortly before the announcement of the Timms review. We will be engaging closely with this review.
-
What happens next?
House of Lords
The Bill will now move to the House of Lords for debate. As the Bill has been classified as a money bill, any amendments from the House of Lords do not have to be considered by the House of Commons. The Bill will become law one month after it completes all its stages in the Lords but the changes included in the Bill will not come in immediately.
Timms review
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms is conducting a wide-ranging review of PIP. Any changes to PIP will now need to wait until after the review has concluded and Timms has presented his recommendations. The Trust will work to make sure the voices of the CF community are heard as part of the review. We’re expecting to hear the recommendations in Autumn 2026.
-
Who can I speak to for support?
Our Helpline is available to anyone looking for information or support with any aspect of cystic fibrosis, a listening ear, or just to talk things through. Our friendly team are here if you need us.
For advice regarding your current benefits, please speak with your CF social worker or get in touch with our welfare team through the Helpline.
Call 0300 373 1000 or 020 3795 2184, Monday–Friday 10am–4pm
Email [email protected]
Chat with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
Message us on WhatsApp on 07361 582053
Here to help
Our friendly Helpline team are here if you need us - whether you're looking for information, support or just someone to talk to.