Universal Credit: denied and delayed
In this past campaign, we raised awareness of the barriers preventing people living with cancer from accessing Universal Credit. These included a complex application process leading to delayed payments.
Neil's experience of claiming UC
Neil, diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016
"I had to sit in front of the computer for six hours" - Neil, diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016
About the campaign
Our campaign made a difference
October 2018
- We identified that people with cancer were facing lengthy delays when waiting for Universal Credit payment. They have also been finding difficulty accessing and applying in the first instance.
- We launched a public campaign raising awareness of the issues that people have faced. Over 2,000 of our campaigners emailed their MP asking them to raise these concerns with the Minister.
- As a result, extra funding for Universal Credit was included in the Government’s Autumn Budget announcement. This could be used to reduce waiting times for payments.
November 2018
- We continued to keep up momentum with the campaign, raising awareness of Neil’s story and encouraging others to tell their story.
- After a series of changes in Government, Amber Rudd MP replaced Ester McVey as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
- Over 153 of our campaigners tweeted Amber Rudd directly welcoming her to the new role and asking her to address the issues that people with cancer face with Universal Credit.
Cancer - a costly diagnosis?
Our report highlights the real-life stories of the financial difficulties faced by people living with cancer. It also looks at what MPs and decision makers can do to fix it.
Read the report below to find out more.
