AQW 38175/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 14/01/2026
Answered On Date: 22/01/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities whether his Department has considered automatically enrolling adults with a learning disability onto Universal Credit, when they are required to move from Employment and Support Allowance.

Answer:

Anyone moving to Universal Credit since migration commenced in October 2023 has been required to make a fresh claim. This is necessary to ensure all aspects of entitlement are captured as Universal Credit replaces a range of legacy benefits and Tax Credits.

People who are unable to make or manage their own Universal Credit claim due to a learning disability may have another individual or corporate body appointed to act on their behalf.