Why would it be a new application.
I think more a reassessment of an existing claim.
They would have enough legal hurdles to jump to change to means testing never mind the legalities to cancel everyone’s claim and start afresh.
The DWP couldn’t find the changes, it would cost more than it saves.
Scare stories come out on purpose so when the real changes come in your relieved enough to not kick off at the real changes.