Welfare rights news and case law

19 October, 2009

Attempt to re-open previously litigated issue / whether application for supersession or new claim / whether medical member of tribunal needs to be specialist in field

CI/1009/2009

19 October, 2009

Military personnel in Wales to get automatic second home council tax discount

Help to be offered due to 'unique circumstances' says local government minister

19 October, 2009

Government refuses to commit to eradicating pensioner poverty

'Tackling' poverty and 'promoting greater independence and wellbeing' is the right approach

16 October, 2009

Supporting People and information sharing under Section 42 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007

New Welsh statutory instrument

16 October, 2009

Social Fund cold weather payments for winter 2009/2010

New DWP guidance

16 October, 2009

Less than half of Flexible New Deal sub-contractors from the third sector

Government confirmation follows award of majority of prime contracts to the private sector

16 October, 2009

Evaluation of the Pension, Disability and Carers Service partnership working

New DWP research

15 October, 2009

Use of medical evidence obtained in connection with one benefit in support of claim for a different benefit

CIB/1639/2009

15 October, 2009

Restricting access to crisis loans for living expenses

Government confirms pilots to be rolled out nationally

14 October, 2009

Power to recover official error overpayments under common law

[2009] EWCA Civ 1058

14 October, 2009

Work Capability Assessments result in more than two thirds being found fit for work

DWP publishes new official statistics

14 October, 2009

Whether objectives of local housing allowance have been met in practice

Work and Pensions Select Committee announces inquiry

14 October, 2009

Unemployment rises to 2.47 million

However government highlights that rate of increase has slowed

14 October, 2009

Pilot areas announced for £13m ‘Fit for Work’ service

Initiative will test new, innovative and personalised services says Health Secretary

14 October, 2009

Government refuses to rule out possibility of integrating DLA into new system of social care

Currently no benefit ruled out of consideration, says DWP Under-Secretary of State

13 October, 2009

Male-to-female transsexual / earnings factors accrued after age 60 / increase of pension for deferment

CP/2234/2007

13 October, 2009

Making automatic awards of pension credit without requiring a claim

DWP consults on plans for pilot exercise

13 October, 2009

Means tested benefits likely to be uprated by less then 2 per cent in 2010

Other benefits linked to the Retail Prices Index could be frozen

12 October, 2009

Social Fund cold weather payments in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule