Welfare rights news and case law

7 April, 2020

IIAC decides against prescribing osteoarthritis of the knee in professional football players

However, Advisory Council encourages ex-professional footballers who had knee injury during playing career, and later developed osteoarthritis in that knee, to consider claim under accident provision of IIDB

7 April, 2020

Whether funds derived from personal injuries compensation held in a joint account are held in a ‘trust’ for the purposes of paragraph 17 of Schedule 8 to the JSA Regulations 1996

Q v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (JSA)
[2020] UKUT 49 (AAC)
CJSA/2628/2017 and CJSA/1192/2019

6 April, 2020

Jonathan Reynolds appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Promising to campaign vigorously against child poverty, food bank need and homelessness, Mr Reynolds says he is 'incredibly proud and humbled' to be asked to take on the brief

6 April, 2020 Open access

Employees off work due to childcare responsibilities added to those eligible to be furloughed under Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Updated guidance to employees and employers also adds further eligible groups, including apprentices and those employed by individuals, such as nannies

6 April, 2020 Open access

TUC calls for basic level of universal credit to be raised to £260 per week for duration of COVID-19 outbreak

Union body highlights that, even after recent increase, basic rate equates to just a sixth of average weekly pay

6 April, 2020 Open access

Miscellaneous changes to social security in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

New DWP guidance

6 April, 2020 Open access

Amendments to housing benefit due to the coronavirus outbreak

New DWP guidance

6 April, 2020

IIAC decides against prescribing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in coke oven workers

Advisory Council concludes that there is insufficient evidence to merit prescription for industrial injuries disablement benefit purposes

4 April, 2020 Open access

DWP confirms it is pausing the recovery of benefit overpayments for three months in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Department says that temporary change will allow it to move a significant number of staff to frontline roles following the increase in benefit claims over the last two weeks

3 April, 2020 Open access

Amendment of start dates for increases to the standard allowance in universal credit and to LHA rates in 2020/2021

New regulations

3 April, 2020 Open access

DWP confirms temporary carer’s allowance easements in response to coronavirus outbreak

New edition of Touchbase highlights continued entitlement during coronavirus related breaks in caring, and that providing emotional support will count towards 35 hour a week care threshold

3 April, 2020 Open access

DWP confirms that visiting service has suspended routine face-to-face home visits in response to coronavirus outbreak

However, new edition of Touchbase also advises that visits will continue to vulnerable claimants, to ensure that benefit can be paid, and to undertake safeguarding checks

3 April, 2020

Service standards for people providing independent advocacy in relation to the Scottish social security system

New statutory instrument

3 April, 2020

Uprating of carer’s allowance in Scotland 2020/2021

New statutory instrument

3 April, 2020

Whether a tribunal correctly approached the issue of ‘prior information’ of Work Programme requirements in a post-Reilly and Wilson appeal

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v SD (JSA)
[2020] UKUT 39 (AAC)
CJSA/1393/2015

3 April, 2020

IIAC decides against prescribing ANCA-associated vasculitis in relation to silica or asbestos exposure

Advisory Council concludes that there is insufficient evidence to merit prescription for industrial injuries disablement benefit purposes

2 April, 2020 Open access

DWP to stop recovery action associated with benefit overpayments, tax credits debt, and social fund loans

Temporary suspension in response to the coronavirus outbreak applies to all benefits, direct debit plans, and repayments made to employers

2 April, 2020 Open access

Speedy delivery of universal credit and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is vital to support the self-employed before June, says IFS

New report warns that a quarter of those eligible for the Self-employment Income Support Scheme will need financial help before the grant arrives

2 April, 2020 Open access

Government suspends £10 million Universal Credit Transition Fund application process due to coronavirus pandemic

Funding was due to be available from April 2020 for public and voluntary organisations to help vulnerable people claim universal credit