Universal Credit and the invalidation of mental health problems: claimant and Jobcentre Plus staff experiences

Moving disabled people ‘off benefits and into work’ has been an explicit aim of work-first welfare reform since 2008, increasingly punitively 2010. The this article is to demonstrate, for the first time, how Universal Credit (UC) fits with intensifies that strategy. Empirical data from 28 in-depth interviews 19 claimants (nine were interviewed twice) three focus groups 23 Jobcentre staff show UC full service applies mainstream job search conditionality mental health problems. Ongoing fear sanctions, financial hardship, surveillance social isolation relating digital design had adverse impacts, including those without previous