50,000 people on Universal Credit could share part of a £150million payouts after a court case result today.
Claimants who lost money when they transferred from old benefits systems to Univeral Credit could now get compensation, reports the Mirror.
The High Court said two disabled men on benefits were discriminated against when they lost money moving onto Universal Credit.
The men, known as TP and AR, today won their legal challenge against the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
Each was getting £180 extra a month before being switched to Universal Credit.
But they did not get the difference when the new credit was rolled out.
The DWP said the ruling will affect up to 50,000 people and will involve sums of up to £150million.
TP and AR were moved onto Universal Credit in 2016 and 2017.
Previously they each got Severe Disability Premium (SDP) and Enhanced Disability Premium (EDP).
Law firm Leigh Day said the DWP paid the pair £120 a month, compensating for the loss of SDP and not EDP.
Claimant TP said: "The past six years have been immensely stressful as I have struggled to get by on a lower income. I just hope that the DWP will put all of this right as soon as possible so that those of us who have been badly affected by this unfair policy can get on with our lives.”
Claimant AR said: “It should never have been the case that disabled people entitled to the severe and enhanced disability premiums were suddenly deprived of the equivalent sum when they found themselves transferred on to Universal Credit.
"The policy has caused me and others serious hardship and I am glad that the court has seen the sense in our argument."
Leigh Day partner Tessa Gregory said: “Whilst we are delighted that the court has once again found in our clients’ favour, we do not understand why this matter is still being litigated.
"Following the three previous findings of unlawful discrimination the DWP should have ensured our clients were not losing out on severe and enhanced disability payments following their move from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.
"Our clients hope that this judgment marks the end of the road and that the DWP will stop wasting money on legal fees and get on with protecting the vulnerable.”
DWP has been approached for comment.
