Welfare rights news and case law

18 November, 2008

Social Security Advisory Committee expresses concern at increase in benefit conditionality and complexity

SSAC chairman reflects on challenging year as government accelerates the pace of its welfare reforms

17 November, 2008

Introduction of the First-tier and Upper tribunals from November 2008

New DWP guidance

14 November, 2008

Whether life prisoners transferred to a mental health hospital are entitled to income support

[2008] EWHC 2635 (Admin)

14 November, 2008

Reporting changes in circumstances with just one visit or phone call

DWP to launch 'Tell us once' pilot

14 November, 2008

Aligning the incapacity benefit and ESA work-focused interview regimes

New statutory instrument

13 November, 2008

Overpayment / whether claimant could reasonably have known that she was being overpaid

CH/2353/2008

13 November, 2008

Right to reside / need for tribunal to make clear findings / matters obtaining at date of decision

CJSA/825/2008

13 November, 2008

Post Office’s card account contract to be renewed

Facility used by more than 4 million claimants is central to the viability of the Post Office network, says Secretary of State

13 November, 2008

Dealing with HB claims from those living in ‘exempt accommodation’

New DWP guidance

12 November, 2008

Right to reside and accession state workers

[2008] UKHL 67

12 November, 2008

Capital / valuation of property / need to give parties to appeal opportunity to make representations

CH/2367/2008

12 November, 2008

Government urged to increase JSA rates in this month’s pre-Budget report

TUC calls for reform as unemployment nears two million

11 November, 2008

Overpayment / duty to disclose / whether claimant fixed with adviser’s knowledge of material fact

CPC/2021/2008

11 November, 2008

Help with NHS costs in England for those in receipt of employment and support allowance

New statutory instrument

11 November, 2008

Council tax help for families hit by floods

More than £1 million to be shared amongst 25 local authorities

10 November, 2008

Overpayment / whether silence can amount to misrepresentation / evidence covered by legal profession privilege

CJSA/3583/2007

10 November, 2008

Manual transfer of claim information between the DWP and HB departments to be replaced with electronic process

New DWP guidance

10 November, 2008

Linking the right to a council home to a requirement to be actively seek work

Green Paper publication delayed to give Minister more time to consider options for reform

10 November, 2008

ESA to be delivered by manual processes for the first nine months

Delay to new £295m computer system will not reduce service levels to claimants, says DWP