Welfare rights news and case law

15 March, 2019

DWP outlines plan to use stakeholders and partners to help it ensure that people move safely from legacy benefits to universal credit

In evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee, Secretary of State also says that the Department knows that, if it expects to work with the third sector, 'we will need to fund it'

15 March, 2019

Suspension of HMRC Housing Benefit Debt Service data sharing after data security breach

DWP issues Urgent Housing Benefit Bulletin

15 March, 2019

Protecting reciprocal social security rights enjoyed by British and Irish citizens following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU

New regulations issued in relation to the modification of legislation falling within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament

15 March, 2019

Department for Communities publishes annual report on social security decision making and financial accuracy

Joint Standards Committee report provides a generally ‘good’ assessment of decision making but raises concerns about risks to standards posed by PIP and universal credit roll out

14 March, 2019

OBR suggests that government has reduced volumes on managed migration in order to reduce costs associated with transitional protection

However, it finds that the changed plans reduce the risk of further delay and it maintains its estimate that migration will complete in June 2024

14 March, 2019

Proportion of social security appeals found in favour of claimants increases to 70 per cent

New Ministry of Justice statistics show that ESA and PIP appeals have driven the increase, with 74 per cent and 73 per cent respectively found in favour of claimants

14 March, 2019

DWP Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work resigns

Sarah Newton says that she had to honour her commitment to her constituents and vote to leave the EU with 'a deal'

14 March, 2019

Number of ESA repeat work capability assessments increases by more than 25 per cent in last quarter

New DWP statistics also show that initial assessments have decreased in the same period

14 March, 2019

Whether loss of control of bowel and/or bladder during seizure can ever amount to loss of control ‘whilst conscious’

CE/2227/2018

14 March, 2019

Rent payable in advance of start of tenancy can be immediate arrears for purpose of making direct payments to the landlord / direct payments can continue after arrears reduce below eight weeks

CH/2857/2017

14 March, 2019

Duty to explicitly justify decision to proceed with oral hearing if claimant is unable to participate fully

CPIP/2015/2018

14 March, 2019

Earnings factors for the calculation of an additional state pension in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

13 March, 2019

Full roll-out of personal independence payment not now expected to complete until February 2021

OBR also warns of possible increased spending if PIP assessments and work capability assessments are to be combined

13 March, 2019

Failure of UK authorities to provide an EU jobseeker access to housing benefit not in breach of ECHR

[2018] NIQB 93

13 March, 2019

CPAG expresses dismay that Spring Statement has not brought an end to freeze on working age benefits

Failure to act 'leaves in tatters the Prime Minister's claim that austerity is over'

13 March, 2019

More than 23,000 ESA claimants exempt from reassessments under the severe conditions criteria, according to latest government figures

Minister confirms that, of these, 9,500 had a primary medical condition of mental and behavioural disorders

13 March, 2019

Requirement for DWP to give adequate notice of work-related requirements and consequences of non-compliance

New DWP guidance

13 March, 2019

Average backpayment in respect of deceased disabled people who did not receive full ESA on conversion from incapacity benefit is £5,000

Minister confirms that so far about a quarter of the potential 20,000 cases have been reviewed with 600 due a payment

12 March, 2019

No one will have their benefits stopped during managed migration pilot confirms Secretary of State

In addition DWP will help people who need it access discretionary payments