Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether existing claimants of Employment Support Allowance, who leave the social security system and later need to return to claim (a) Employment Support Allowance and (b) Universal Health, will be considered new claimants.

Customers who leave the social security system and later need to return to claim New Style Employment Support Allowance or the Universal Credit health element will be considered new claimants, unless they stopped receiving Universal Credit as a result of increased earnings and then return to payment within six months.

All new claimants who apply for the Universal Credit health element from 6 April 2026 will receive the lower rate unless they meet the Severe Conditions Criteria or qualify under Special Rules for End of Life.