Hello, my name is Tom Picknell. I'm autistic and have a long history of severe mental health issues. I've previously had two part-time paid jobs and was on income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with the Severe Disability Premium before changing over to Universal Credit in 2021. I got transitional protection as SDP doesn't exist on UC. Both of my jobs were to try out paid work and with the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) knowledge. In my second job, I was a start-up employee in a mental health housing project where staff were very understanding. After a while, I wanted to gradually increase my work hours, as I was on zero hours and at the time I was feeling more confident. Unfortunately, I later became unwell and eventually relapsed, a situation that many can relate to. I was never pressured into work, yet when my earnings fell below the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) for three months in a row, I faced the loss of my transitional protections from other benefits, which over time has cost me thousands of £'s personally. Because of my relapse, I lost my job, my pay pack and had my UC cut because I became too unwell to work.

This harsh reality highlights a broader systemic issue. Many individuals with disabilities or severe health conditions, who bravely attempt to re-enter the workforce, risk losing critical financial support due to fluctuations in earnings. Even minor setbacks can lead to a significant loss of benefits, thereby discouraging attempts at financial independence and contributing to the cycle of poverty and instability.

According to the House of Commons Library, over 1 million people with disabilities received Universal Credit in 2020, and the number has undoubtedly risen. These individuals are striving to contribute to society despite their challenges and should not be penalized for unforeseen reductions in their earnings. Under current rules, when their earnings dip below the AET for three consecutive months, they lose the security of transitional protection from other benefits.

We urge the DWP to review and amend their policies to preserve transitional protections for the disabled and those with severe health conditions. When earnings fall below the AET, recipients should be given the opportunity to stabilize without losing their financial safety net.

This change can empower individuals, foster workforce participation, and relieve stress during times of personal health crises. With your support, we can advocate for a fairer system that safeguards those striving to become more economically active. Please sign this petition to call on the Department for Work and Pensions to end the unfair penalties for the disabled and ill who are attempting to work.