Welfare rights news and case law

15 July, 2021

Social Security Scotland publishes new special rules terminal illness guidance ahead of first devolved disability assistance claims

Guidance supports clinicians to interpret and apply new terminal illness definition that no longer includes reference to a timescale in the special rules

15 July, 2021

Customer facing staff should not be excluded from access to ‘hybrid’ working, PCS tells DWP

Confirming that formal dispute resolution talks have begun, Union says it is also calling for no escalation in Labour Market activity and full work coach empowerment

15 July, 2021

More than 300,000 households are affected by the two-child policy, according to new DWP statistics

Number of families affected continues upward trend, with 1.1 million children now in households affected by the policy

15 July, 2021

Number of people claiming unemployment related benefits decreased by more than 11 per cent in the year to May 2021

However, new DWP statistics also show that around one million more people are claiming unemployment benefits than in March 2020 immediately before the pandemic

14 July, 2021

DWP concedes judicial review challenge to practice of making ‘offers’ to disabled claimants awaiting First-tier Tribunal appeal hearing

Public Law Project confirms that, as a result of its challenge, the DWP has agreed to re-write policies and guidance and to retrain staff

14 July, 2021

Around 14,000 ‘initial claimants’ are being prioritised for a face-to-face work capability assessment having been unable to have one via other channels during the pandemic

However, Minister for Disabled People refuses request to lift 365-day time limit on contributory ESA claims, saying those whose award is time-limited 'are among those who will be prioritised'

13 July, 2021 Open access

Welsh Government extends Self-Isolation Support Scheme to March 2022

Nine-month extension of £500 grant will help stop the spread of Covid by 'providing support to those who need it the most', says Minister

13 July, 2021 Open access

Reintroduction of the universal credit minimum income floor in Northern Ireland over the 12 months to 31 July 2022

New statutory rule makes provision in relation to Northern Ireland corresponding to that in Great Britain

12 July, 2021

‘No wrong door’ approach to universal credit among key reforms needed to fix failures of current benefit system

Administrative Justice Council and JUSTICE report also recommends scrapping mandatory reconsiderations, restoring legal aid funding for early benefits advice, and new rules to stop inconsistent use of discretion in benefits decision making

12 July, 2021

Amendment of Winter Fuel Payment Regulations and social security reciprocal arrangements in consequence of the UK’s exit from the EU

New statutory instrument

9 July, 2021

Supreme Court unanimously rules that two-child limit is not incompatible with rights under Articles 8, 12 or 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights

R (on the application of SC, CB and 8 children) (Appellants) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and others (Respondents) [2021] UKSC 26

9 July, 2021 Open access

Social Security Advisory Committee raises concerns about DWP’s approach to reintroducing the MIF to universal credit

Committee suggests that claimants need more warning of impending change, and seeks early sight of guidance to work coaches on using discretion when assessing whether easement should continue

9 July, 2021

Government must not make changes to the Human Rights Act that would make it harder for people to enforce their rights and expose the government and agencies to more judgments against them

Parliamentary committee warns that amending the Act could constitute a risk to the enforcement of human rights and to the UK's constitutional settlement

9 July, 2021

Disregard of payments under the Covid Local Support Grant and equivalent Devolved Administration schemes when calculating income for tax credits purposes

New statutory instrument

8 July, 2021

DWP provides update on PIP and work capability health assessment video pilots

Experience and feedback from the trials will inform wider roll out, says Minister

Welfare rights

Social Security Scotland publishes new special rules terminal illness guidance ahead of first devolved disability assistance claims

Guidance supports clinicians to interpret and apply new terminal illness definition that no longer includes reference to a timescale in the special rules

Customer facing staff should not be excluded from access to ‘hybrid’ working, PCS tells DWP

More than 300,000 households are affected by the two-child policy, according to new DWP statistics

Number of people claiming unemployment related benefits decreased by more than 11 per cent in the year to May 2021

DWP concedes judicial review challenge to practice of making ‘offers’ to disabled claimants awaiting First-tier Tribunal appeal hearing

Around 14,000 ‘initial claimants’ are being prioritised for a face-to-face work capability assessment having been unable to have one via other channels during the pandemic

Welsh Government extends Self-Isolation Support Scheme to March 2022

Nine-month extension of £500 grant will help stop the spread of Covid by 'providing support to those who need it the most', says Minister

Reintroduction of the universal credit minimum income floor in Northern Ireland over the 12 months to 31 July 2022

‘No wrong door’ approach to universal credit among key reforms needed to fix failures of current benefit system

Amendment of Winter Fuel Payment Regulations and social security reciprocal arrangements in consequence of the UK’s exit from the EU

Supreme Court unanimously rules that two-child limit is not incompatible with rights under Articles 8, 12 or 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights

Social Security Advisory Committee raises concerns about DWP’s approach to reintroducing the MIF to universal credit

Government must not make changes to the Human Rights Act that would make it harder for people to enforce their rights and expose the government and agencies to more judgments against them

Reversion of DLA past presence test to 26 out of 52 weeks for children aged between 3 and 16

Deductions from universal credit to collect court fines in Northern Ireland

DWP confirms intention to extend terminal illness provision in social security benefits

Reintroduction of the universal credit minimum income floor over the 12 months to 31 July 2022

Disregard of payments under the Covid Local Support Grant and equivalent Devolved Administration schemes when calculating income for tax credits purposes

DWP provides update on PIP and work capability health assessment video pilots