The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) will be scrapped in 2028: “This will end the state categorising people into binary groups and labelling them as either ‘can or can’t work’.”

This change will be implemented via primary legislation. Further details will be published in the forthcoming White Paper. There will be no consultation on this measure.

This will impact Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC)

Universal Credit (UC):

A new Health Element will replace the current Limited Capability for Work (LCW) and the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) elements, any extra financial support for health conditions in UC will be assessed via a single assessment – the PIP assessment.

When these changes start to take effect, new claimants will no longer receive these legacy components. If a current claimant receives the LCWRA element but doesn’t get PIP at the point that they move to the new system they will receive transitional protection.

There will also be protection for people who are currently treated as LCWRA due to pregnancy risk or because they are about to receive, receiving or recovering from treatment for cancer by way of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. They will get the new UC health element even if they do not get PIP.

It is unlikely that the payment will be withdrawn from existing claimants before reassessment, DWP will initially prioritise reassessments for people who are most likely to have had a change in their circumstances including those who have short-term prognoses

The existing LCWRA element will be cut for new claimants – from £97 to £50 per week by 2026/27 and frozen for existing ones.

For those receiving the new reduced UC health element after April 2026, the government are proposing that those with the most severe, life-long health conditions, who have no prospect of improvement and will never be able to work, will see their incomes protected through an additional premium.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

A new PIP eligibility requirement is proposed to ensure that only those who score a minimum of 4 points in at least one daily living activity will be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. This requirement would need to be met in addition to the existing PIP eligibility criteria.

This change will apply to new claims and for existing people who claim, future eligibility will be decided at their next award review. Those with the most severe, long-term conditions will no longer face any reassessments, under the proposed reforms.

The Green Paper is consulting on whether those who lose entitlement need any support and what this support could look like – for example transitional protection.

There is a real possibility these proposals will never be implemented, or that they will be changed so much that they will scarcely be recognisable by the time they do come into force.

A new contribution-based Unemployment Insurance Benefit

Jobseekers’ allowance (JSA) and employment support allowance (ESA) will be merged into a new time-limited unemployment insurance. Paid at the current ESA rate of £138 per week, it will be time-limited, and recipients do not have to prove they cannot work – but will be expected to actively seek work.

Wills

Your will lets you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death.

If you make a will you can also make sure you do not pay more Inheritance Tax than you need to.

You can write your will yourself, but it is prudent to have it written by a solicitor. Ashford Advice have a resident solicitor who can write a professional will. Call 01233 626 185 for further information

You need to get your will formally witnessed and signed to make it legally valid

If you want to update your will, you need to make an official alteration (called a ‘codicil’) or make a new will.

If you die without a will, the law decides who gets what.

Power of Attorney

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.

This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions (you ‘lack mental capacity’).

There are 2 types of LPA:

• health and welfare
• property and financial affairs

You can choose to make one type or both.

You can make a lasting power of attorney (LPA) online or using paper forms.

Either way, you need to get other people to sign the forms, including the attorneys and witnesses.

You can get someone else to use the online service or fill in the paper forms for you, for example a family member, friend or solicitor. Ashford Advice have a resident solicitor who can complete the forms on your behalf. Please call 01233 626 185 for further information

There is a fee for this service (£82.00/PoA to Office of the Public Guardian and £150.00/PoA solicitors fee)

You must register or your attorney will not be able to make decisions for you.

Check if you could pay to fill gaps and boost your State Pension on Government Gateway, where you’ll also be able to make payments via bank transfer.

Voluntary contributions may not always boost your State Pension – if you’re unsure, call the Future Pension Centre if you’re under State Pension age, or the Pension Service if you’ve reached State Pension age. Phone lines are extremely busy – so be patient and try calling in the early morning or late afternoon if possible.

If you are unable to speak to anyone, you can ask DWP to call you back to discuss paying voluntary National Insurance contributions If you submit a request by the 5 April 2025 deadline, you will still be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions after the deadline has passed.

There is more information on the HM Government moneyhelper website

The Tenterden office will be closed on the following dates. If your problem is urgent please contact the Ashford Office

Monday/Tuesday 10th/11th March 2025

Monday/Tuesday 17/18th March 2025

Tuesday 25th March

Tuesday 1st April

Tuesday 8th April

By 30 June 2025, the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) will end as it is reaching the end of its operational life. RTS is also known as Dynamic Teleswitch Service (DTS). The switch off will affect energy customers that have an RTS meter in their home, and may mean that their heating and hot water supply stops functioning as normal.

How to find out if you’ve got an RTS meter

If you’re not sure whether you have an RTS meter, there are a few things you can look out for:

• there may be a separate switch box near your meter with a radio teleswitch label on it
• your property is heated using electricity or storage heaters
• there is no gas supply to your area. This includes households in rural areas and high-rise flats
• you get cheaper energy at different times of day. Your tariff might be: Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control

If you’re unsure if you have RTS equipment, contact your electricity supplier who will be able to confirm for you.

If you think you have RTS equipment in your home or business, or you’re unsure, contact your electricity supplier. They will let you know whether you have an RTS meter, and when you can get your smart meter upgrade. A smart meter will give you a similar service to your RTS meter. You should speak to your supplier to find out more.

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.

You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit.

You must include your partner on your application.

You’ll be eligible if either:

• you and your partner have both reached State Pension age
• one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age
• When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.

When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.

Pension Credit tops up:

• your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single
• your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner

If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

Contact Ashford Advice on 01233 626 185 or drop-in to our offices for further advice.

We are open from 09:30 -11:00 from Monday to Thursday without a prior appointment

The Pensioner Just Missing Out scheme supports Kent pensioners in need of help with significantly rising living costs. The scheme is available for pension-aged residents on lower incomes who are not eligible for Pension Credit or the government’s Winter Fuel Payment.

The scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the UK government.

You will be eligible for assistance if you:

• or a partner living with you is aged 66 or over
• are a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bexley, or Bromley)
• have an annual household income (before tax) of more than £11,343.80 (£17,313.40 for a joint household income) and below £40,000
• do not have more than £1000 in savings
• are not in receipt of Pension Credit.

You can apply for the scheme at https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support/find-help-and-support-with-money-worries/pensioner-just-missing-out-scheme

If your application is successful, you will receive voucher(s) which will be sent via email for energy vouchers and either by email or post for food vouchers, based on what you request in your application. The total value of your vouchers will be £200, which you can use towards food, energy, or both, depending on what you asked for support with in your application.

The scheme will close on 28 February 2025, or when all funds are spent.

The Government has accepted the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW). The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:

• under 16
• under 20 if they stay in approved education or training

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.

There’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

There are 2 Child Benefit rates.

In April 2025, child benefit in the United Kingdom will increase by 1.7%. This means that the weekly rate for the eldest or only child will be £26.05, and £17.25 for younger children. 

From April 2024, the lower income threshold to be eligible for child benefit will rise to £60,000(previously £50,000). The rate at which Child Benefit is withdrawn will be 1% for every £200(previously £100) above this level. It is fully withdrawn when individuals earn £80,000 (previously £60,000) or more.

As of January 2025, the energy price cap in the UK is set at £1,738 per year for a typical household paying by direct debit for both electricity and gas, representing a 1.2% increase from the previous cap

Electricity and gas unit prices and standing charges, 1 January to 31 March 2025