New petition calls for backdated £20 Universal Credit uplift payments for all legacy benefits claimants

dailyrecord.co.uk:

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.On November 17 and 19, 2021, evidence was submitted in writing to the High Court as part of a judicial review on behalf of four recipients of legacy benefits who contend that the failure to provide them with the £20 weekly uplift which was given to claimants of Universal Credit constituted “unlawful discrimination.”If successful, backdated payments amounting to sme £1,500 could be awarded, however, no ruling has been made yet, or any indication given of when one can be expected.“Backpay the £20 covid uplift to people on Legacy Benefits” was created earlier this week and posted on the petition-parliament website where it has received more than 400 signatures of support so far.Created by Michael Cervi, the petition reads: “The [UK] government paid everyone on universal credit £20 per week from April 20 to October 21 but not to the disabled on Legacy Benefits.“We all struggled the same and a lot of disabled