From 6 April 2026, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced changes to Universal Credit. A key part of this is the introduction of the Severe Conditions Criteria, designed to identify patients with the most severe, lifelong conditions who are unlikely to improve or return to work.
For practices, the important takeaway is simple:
You may see an increase in requests for medical evidence
Patients making a claim may believe they meet these criteria and, as part of the process, are being asked to submit any existing medical evidence they already hold.
This is likely to drive more patients to contact practices asking for letters or supporting documentation.
DWP guidance is clear: no additional GP workload expected
DWP has explicitly stated that GP practices are not expected to provide additional evidence directly to patients for this purpose.
If further information is required, DWP will request it directly from the practice through the usual channels.
What should practices do?
When patients request supporting evidence:
- Reassure them that DWP will contact the practice directly if needed
- Advise them to submit any information they already have
- Redirect requests appropriately, rather than generating new letters or reports
A practical opportunity: NHS App usage
This change creates a useful opportunity to encourage patients to access their own information:
- Patients can view their records via the NHS App
- They can download or print relevant information themselves
- This can then be submitted directly to DWP without practice involvement
As an added benefit, increased NHS App uptake can support wider efficiencies, including:
- Repeat prescription requests
- Viewing test results
- Reducing administrative queries
In summary
- Changes to Universal Credit may increase patient requests for evidence
- Practices are not expected to provide additional documentation
- DWP will request information directly if required
- Patients should be supported to use existing information or access their records digitally
Keeping messaging consistent across the team will help manage demand and avoid unnecessary workload.