Welfare rights news and case law

8 January, 2019

DWP updates guidance to staff so as to avoid anomalies in assessment of earned income under universal credit

Work and Pensions Secretary tells MPs that 'we need to make sure that universal credit delivers on what it intends to do'

7 January, 2019

Work and Pensions Secretary clarifies government’s plans for next phase of universal credit roll-out

Following managed migration pilot later this year, government will publish an impact assessment which will inform the full migration process

7 January, 2019

By 2022 more than one in five families will lose at least some of their child benefit, estimates the IFS

Up to 120,000 of these families will not have a higher-rate taxpayer

7 January, 2019

Sally Witcher appointed as Chair of the Scottish Commission on Social Security

Scottish Ministers also announce appointment of three new Members of the Commission

7 January, 2019

Claimant renting from other parent of their children, even if they are only one of two landlords, is treated as not liable under regulation 9(1)(d)

CSH/89/2018

4 January, 2019

Correct approach to assessing ESA descriptor 5c - Cannot use a pen or pencil to make a meaningful mark with either hand

CE/2665/2017

4 January, 2019

Cause of universal credit overpayment irrelevant to its recoverability and no right to appeal against decision to recover

CUC/50/2018 & CUC/51/2018

3 January, 2019

ESA40 leaflet imposes a duty on claimants to report when their DLA stops despite the fact that the leaflet does not refer expressly to that allowance

CE/1600/2018

3 January, 2019

Whether tribunal required to consider adjournment if representative has not lodged relevant papers from PIP claim in support of ESA appeal

CSE/279/2018

3 January, 2019

Burden of proof falls to Secretary of State in assessing whether 'notional capital' rules apply / person must know of capital rule in order to intentionally increase or secure benefit

CE/729/2018

3 January, 2019

Secretary of State’s lip reading ‘concession’ is not overly-generous but is in fact the correct legal interpretation

CPIP/315/2018

2 January, 2019

Date of claim for Spanish invalidity pension establishes date of claim for ESA

CE/480/2018

2 January, 2019

Appointment to act for child DLA recipient when invited to transfer to PIP at age 16

CPIP/2208/2017

24 December, 2018

Amber Rudd signals changes to two-child limit policy and steps to ensure that universal credit payments go to children's primary carer

New Work and Pensions Secretary also tells MPs that she 'would much rather every individual gets personal attention and care when getting on to universal credit than sticking to a prescribed timetable'

24 December, 2018

Design of universal credit childcare support is a barrier to work, say MPs

New Work and Pensions Committee report finds that requiring claimants to pay for childcare upfront is in 'direct conflict' with aim of getting people into work

21 December, 2018

Department for Communities in Northern Ireland responds to DWP Ministerial Statement on personal independence payment

Reviews ongoing following recent Upper Tribunal decisions, and to facilitate the introduction of a 'light touch' review process for those whose needs are unlikely to improve or will deteriorate

21 December, 2018

DWP is ‘developing a solution’ to issues caused by 28 day payment cycle for third party deductions

Letter to National Housing Federation also says that social landlords should move to charge rent monthly rather than weekly to fit better with universal credit monthly payment system

21 December, 2018

Courts and Tribunals Bill gets Royal Assent

New legislation will enable more of the routine functions of judges to be transferred to suitably qualified court staff

21 December, 2018

Functions of Scottish Commission on Social Security, its operation and composition

New statutory instrument