Welfare rights news and case law

10 November, 2020

Restricting access to a new or enhanced award of the PIP mobility component for claimants over state pension age where their award is superseded on grounds of medical evidence alone

New statutory instrument corrects a lacuna in the 2013 personal independence payment regulations so as to restore policy intent

9 November, 2020 Open access

Government announces £170 million Winter Grant Scheme to support vulnerable households in England during the COVID-19 pandemic

Work and Pensions Secretary says 'we want to make sure vulnerable people feel cared for throughout this difficult time'

9 November, 2020 Open access

Jobcentres to remain open across Great Britain during England’s four-week national lockdown

Updated jobcentre guidance advises that work coaches will continue to support claimants online and over the phone but also in person if people need extra support and are unable to interact on the phone or digitally

9 November, 2020

DWP ‘working to identify’ online solution to verify identity of those applying for National Insurance number who have not been processed through Home Office visa application process

Minister's written parliamentary answer outlines that work will be carried out in the next financial year

9 November, 2020

Whether acceptance of evidence that has been obtained in breach of administrative procedures renders decisions of the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal liable to be set aside for 'procedural irregularity'

BF v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (PIP)
[2020] UKUT 300 (AAC)
CPIP/1313/2019

6 November, 2020 Open access

DWP’s conditionality and sanctions policies continue to be tailored ‘in light of the ongoing public health situation’, says Employment Minister

Written parliamentary answer confirms that guidance also takes account of the 'national working environment' and the claimant's health condition in ensuring any requirements are reasonable

6 November, 2020

DWP announces that Video Relay Service is now available across all its service lines

Department confirms extension of service that allows British Sign Language interpreted calls to be made using video connection without booking in advance

6 November, 2020

Department for Communities in Northern Ireland publishes new five year strategy for 2020-2025

Strategy includes pledge to reduce number of citizens who are living in poverty through measures including development of an anti-poverty strategy and provision of 'modern and progressive' social security

5 November, 2020 Open access

Only around 2,200 of the 15,000 work coaches employed by the Department in October 2020 were newly recruited in that month

New figures confirmed by DWP Minister are less than half the number of new recruits that the Work and Pensions Secretary had said would be in post by October 2020

5 November, 2020

Extending deadline for applications to EU Settlement Scheme to 30 June 2021, and ensuring that specified individuals retain current entitlement to benefits and public services in period from end of Brexit transition period to that date

New statutory instrument

5 November, 2020

Introduction of Scottish Child Payment and appeal rights relating to it

New statutory instruments

5 November, 2020

Introduction of Child Winter Heating Assistance in Scotland from 9 November 2020

New statutory instrument

5 November, 2020

Delayed Social Fund annual report for 2018/2019 shows recoveries of discretionary social fund payments continued to exceed loan payments by more than £80 million

DWP also reports that less than half of budgeting loan and funeral expenses payment claims were cleared within target times

4 November, 2020 Open access

DWP confirms that action will now be taken where claimant fails to attend ESA or universal credit telephone health assessment without good reason

Email to stakeholders advises that, from 2 November 2020, claimants who fail to attend may have their ESA stopped or universal credit entitlement changed

4 November, 2020

Social security and employment support provision in Scotland and the wider UK ‘do not effectively recognise mental health’

New research calls for wide ranging policy change including ending of conditionality, and therefore sanctions, for claimants awaiting a limited capability for work assessment

4 November, 2020 Open access

Miscellaneous amendments to social security regulations, including extension of the period over which the minimum income floor rules are relaxed

New statutory instrument

4 November, 2020 Open access

Extension of period when coronavirus-related breaks in care do not affect entitlement to carer’s allowance in Scotland

New statutory instrument

3 November, 2020 Open access

Suspension of Minimum Income Floor in universal credit extended to end of April 2021

Secretary of State says regulations will be laid and made prior to the easement's current expiry date of 12 November 2020

3 November, 2020 Open access

Health Secretary concedes that government’s COVID-19 app is missing the button that people are meant to use to help them access the £500 self-isolation payment

Mr Hancock says button 'is coming', despite having told Parliament two weeks ago that it is 'there on the app'