Welfare rights news and case law

27 April, 2012

Pilots to support claimants in preparing for introduction of universal credit to commence in autumn 2012

Pilots are a 'unique opportunity' to improve claimants' experiences of the new benefit, says Local Government Association

27 April, 2012

Northern Ireland Executive should carefully consider whether to implement the same welfare reforms as the rest of the UK

New report commissioned by the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People

26 April, 2012

DWP publishes Atos evaluation of the audio recording of medical assessments pilot

Publication follows government commitment to offer recording to 'everyone who wants it'

26 April, 2012

Whether change to pensionable age for women born after April 1955 is discriminatory

[2012] ECHR 766

25 April, 2012

Excessive travel time and ‘good cause’ for failure to comply with jobseeking requirement

New statutory instrument

25 April, 2012

‘Past presence’ test for DLA, attendance allowance and carer’s allowance purposes

New DWP guidance following European Court of Justice judgment in Lucy Stewart

25 April, 2012

Habitual residence and permanent right to reside under EU law

New DWP guidance following European Court of Justice judgment in Ziolkowski and Szeja and Others

25 April, 2012

Budgeting loans for maternity items and funeral costs

New rules being introduced from May 2012

24 April, 2012

53 per cent of completed work capability assessments find claimant fit for work

However new statistics also show that 41 per cent of all 'fit for work' decisions have been appealed against

24 April, 2012

Government confirms that Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to be abolished

Functions to transfer to DWP from July 2012

24 April, 2012

DWP announces shortlist of 10 companies to bid for PIP assessment contracts

Bidders include Atos Origin but exclude A4e

24 April, 2012

Newham Council asks Stoke on Trent housing association to house 500 families on housing benefit

Borough says gap between market rent and local housing allowance has made local private accommodation unaffordable

23 April, 2012

Whether recovery of overpayment through deductions from benefit breached claimant’s human rights

[2012] EWHC 1042 (Admin)

20 April, 2012

Problem with notifications of carer’s allowance awards through Customer Information System and ATLAS

New HB guidance

20 April, 2012

DWP to write to 67,000 households potentially affected by benefit cap between 4 and 22 May 2012

New HB guidance also says that DWP will send local authorities data scan listing affected claimants

20 April, 2012

Timetable for ending of existing income support claims for lone parents with youngest child aged five or over

New HB guidance

20 April, 2012

Scottish Government and local authorities to protect claimants from cut in council tax support from April 2013

£40m to cover 10 per cent reduction in spending when council tax benefit abolished

19 April, 2012

350,000 children could lose free school meals under universal credit, says Children’s Society

New report highlights existing work disincentive which could become more severe under new system

19 April, 2012

Liberal Democrats working on alternatives to Chancellor’s proposed further £10bn welfare cuts

Aides to Deputy Prime Minister reported to be drawing up proposals in preparation for spending review next year