Are you under 25 and struggling to live on Universal Credit?

Have you been told, directly or indirectly, that your parents can support you?

Are you facing a long PIP application while dealing with pain, exhaustion, anxiety, depression or another health condition?

For many young disabled people, the answer is yes. And when there is no supportive family to turn to, the consequences can be devastating.

The story of Kat Blackwood, reported by The Big Issue, shows what happens when a complicated benefits system meets real-life financial pressure.

Kat’s story: fighting for support without a family safety net

Kat is 21. She lives with functional neurological disorder (FND), PTSD, severe anxiety and depression.

She had to fight to receive both Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit. She had to manage the process largely alone, while also coping with conditions that can make communication, concentration, mobility and everyday tasks extremely difficult.

Kat explained that she had to complete a massive form, write essay-length answers to many questions, obtain medical evidence and attend an assessment lasting around an hour.

That is a huge demand to place on anyone.

For someone experiencing severe anxiety, depression, PTSD or the unpredictable symptoms of FND, it can feel almost impossible.

Kat also does not have the family support that the benefits system appears to assume young people can rely on. Her mother is in prison, her father lives in Scotland and she is estranged from her foster carers.

As Kat put it:

“Not everyone has the help from mummy and daddy.”

That should not need explaining. Not every young person has a bank of mum and dad. Some have experienced family breakdown, care, abuse, bereavement, homelessness or estrangement. Others may have family members who are unable to provide practical or financial support.

Young disabled people should not receive less help simply because officials assume someone else will step in.

Under-25s are already living on less

The basic rate of Universal Credit for a single person under 25 is around £300 a month. That is less than the standard rate for someone aged 25 or over.

The lower rate is based on the idea that younger people have fewer financial responsibilities or can live with their parents.

But rent, energy bills, food and transport do not become free because someone is under 25. Disability can also bring significant additional costs, including:

• Higher energy use at home
• Specialist equipment or clothing
• Transport to medical appointments
• Prescription and treatment-related costs
• Help with food preparation, washing or household tasks
• The need for more secure or accessible accommodation

For a young disabled person living independently, the lower rate can create a serious financial cliff edge.

Kat now receives around £700 in Universal Credit and £400 in PIP after successfully fighting for the support she needed. Before receiving the additional help, she said that her money went on rent and she sometimes did not eat. She relied on food banks, despite the practical difficulties involved in collecting and transporting food.

Her words should make the reality impossible to ignore:

“Nobody at any age should have to choose between a roof over their head and food.”

New changes could make the situation even harder

The Big Issue reports that the Universal Credit health element has been halved for new claimants, falling from more than £100 a week to around £50 a week.

That is not a minor adjustment. For somebody already choosing between essentials, losing more than £50 a week can determine whether they can afford food, heating or rent.

The changes create particular concern for young disabled people because they may already receive the lower under-25 rate of Universal Credit. A reduced health element can leave somebody with serious and long-term health problems trying to survive on an amount that does not reflect their actual needs.

The rules and proposals around disability benefits are developing. PIP changes remain under review after stricter scoring proposals were shelved. By 2028, the Work Capability Assessment is also set to be scrapped, with the PIP assessment alone determining eligibility for the Universal Credit health element.

This could make PIP even more important.

If a young disabled person is refused PIP, or loses PIP at reassessment, they may face losing not only help with the extra costs of disability but also the health-related support within Universal Credit.

That is an enormous amount of pressure to place on one assessment process.

Young people with mental health conditions must not be overlooked

The benefits system can be especially difficult for people whose disabilities are not immediately visible.

A person with FND, PTSD, anxiety or depression may look well for part of an assessment. They may be able to speak clearly for an hour, only to experience exhaustion, distress or a significant deterioration afterwards.

A written form may ask what someone can do. But the important question is often how they can do it:

• Can they complete the activity safely?
• Can they do it repeatedly?
• Can they do it to an acceptable standard?
• Can they complete it within a reasonable time?
• What happens afterwards?
• Do they need prompting, supervision or support?

These details matter.

A PIP claim should explain the effect of a condition on real daily life, not simply list medical diagnoses. It should include the difficult days, the recovery time, the risks, the help required and the activities that cannot be completed reliably.

That is not always easy to put into words, particularly when the person making the claim is already overwhelmed.

“Them” expects resilience. We understand the reality.

The system may send forms, request evidence and schedule assessments as though every claimant has unlimited time, energy and support.

It does not see the nights spent worrying about money.

It does not always see the person who is unable to leave bed, make a meal or answer the phone.

It may not know that there is no parent to read through the form, no partner to attend an assessment and no trusted friend who understands the process.

We see the person behind the paperwork.

At Benefit Answers, we help young people and adults navigate PIP claims, benefit applications, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals. Our role is to help present your circumstances accurately and in the best light, using clear language and relevant evidence.

There is no jargon for its own sake. We explain what matters, what information is needed and what the next step should be.

You do not have to tackle a PIP claim alone

Whether you are starting a new claim or challenging a refusal, we can help with:

• Understanding whether you may be entitled to PIP
• Explaining how your condition affects daily living and mobility
• Completing complex application forms
• Identifying useful medical and supporting evidence
• Preparing a mandatory reconsideration
• Challenging an unsuccessful reconsideration through an appeal
• Preparing for a tribunal hearing where appropriate

If your PIP claim has been refused, time may be important. A mandatory reconsideration is usually the first step, and it is normally requested within one month of the date on your decision letter. If the decision is not changed, an appeal may be possible.

Do not assume that a refusal means you are not entitled. Sometimes the decision does not properly reflect the difficulties described, the evidence available or the way those difficulties affect everyday life.

Independent support, free at the point of contact

Our advice is completely independent. We are not part of the DWP and we do not receive government funding.

We offer a free Q&A service at the point of contact, so you can ask questions without taking a financial risk. Our claims and appeals services operate on a no-win-no-fee basis, with no upfront cost.

Benefit Answers has a higher-than-average success rate, with our specialists achieving an average 80% success rate across new claims and appeals in the last 12 months. We are also rated 4.7 out of 5 in an independent customer survey.

As one client, Heather, said:

“It’s a big weight off my mind to have the massive help and expertise from you.”

Another client described the service as:

“A lifeline to people like me.”

That is what professional support should provide: clarity when the process feels confusing, reassurance when the pressure feels unbearable and practical help when there is no family safety net.

Take the first step today

You do not need to have all your evidence ready before asking for help.

You do not need to understand every PIP rule.

You do not need to explain your circumstances using legal terminology.

Start by telling us what has happened and how your condition affects you. Our specialists can review your situation and explain what support may be available.

Visit our PIP applications page to find out more about help with a claim. If you have already been refused, visit our PIP appeals page to learn about mandatory reconsiderations and appeals. You can also use our claims assistance service or ask a question through our website.

Young disabled people deserve a benefits system based on their real needs, not assumptions about their families. Until that happens, we are here to help make sure your circumstances are heard and your case is presented as clearly and strongly as possible.

For help and support with PIP claims, contact Benefit Answers at info@benefitanswers.co.uk or 0333 121 2128.