A new petition is calling on the UK Government to give all legacy benefits claimants backdated payments equivalent to the £20 weekly uplift received by millions of people on Universal Credit since the first lockdown in March 2020 until October 2021.
Universal Credit claimants received a £20 weekly increase from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help them pay for additional costs incurred during the coronavirus crisis and subsequent lockdowns.
Tax Credits claimants also received a one-off £500 payment in April 2021 from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), however, those receiving DWP support through Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support did not get any additional financial support which campaign groups said disproportionately affected disabled people.
