Welfare rights news and case law

13 June, 2016

Introduction of new sanctions for employment and support allowance claimants in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

13 June, 2016

Introduction of three-tier sanctions regime for jobseeker’s allowance in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

13 June, 2016

Introduction of universal credit in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

13 June, 2016

Simplifying and rationalising the industrial injuries benefits scheme in Northern Ireland

New statutory rules

10 June, 2016

Scottish Government's plans to improve disability benefit assessments supported by Scottish Parliament

MSPs also vote to support plans to increase carer’s benefits, to increase disability benefits in line with inflation and to ensure disability benefits are not means-tested

10 June, 2016

United Nations expresses 'serious concern' that recent welfare reforms limit entitlement to benefits 'regardless of the needs of the household'

Report from the Committee on the Rights of the Child also notes that the rate of child poverty remains high particularly in households with a disability, high numbers of children, or ethnic minority groups

10 June, 2016

Refusal to discuss a tenancy with a housing benefit claimant who is not the tenant may amount to official error

CH/1521/2015

10 June, 2016

Ability to 'move around' relates to normal out of doors surface - including kerbs and reasonably flat pavements

CPIP/139/2016

10 June, 2016

A biscuit tin is not an aid or appliance for managing medication / need for assistance to dress is not relevant for activity 5 - managing toilet needs

CSPIP/666/2014

9 June, 2016

Opposition day motion calling on government to reverse cuts to ESA and universal credit work allowances defeated in the House of Commons

MPs vote by 262 votes to 215 against the motion

9 June, 2016

Local Government Association calls on government to exempt supported housing from local housing allowance cap

Councils fear that due to current uncertainty many supported housing schemes are not being built

9 June, 2016

Scottish Government to consider introduction of a 'Young Carers Allowance' using devolved social security powers

Minister for Social Security also confirms that carer's allowance will increase to the same level as jobseeker's allowance once powers are devolved

9 June, 2016

Increasing number of social security appeals decided in favour of claimants, according to new tribunal statistics

New Ministry of Justice figures also show a 40 per cent increase in the number of social security appeals received in the last year

9 June, 2016

Help with NHS costs in Scotland

New statutory instrument

9 June, 2016

11 per cent of ESA mandatory reconsideration decisions were revised and allowed in year to April 2016

New DWP statistics also reveal that the proportion of ESA mandatory reconsideration decisions being allowed has been falling since 2013

9 June, 2016

Whether sanctioned claimants were given proper notice of Work Programme requirements

CJSA/3093/2014

9 June, 2016

Entitlement to DLA mobility component after age 65 / domiciliary hearings only applicable in rare cases

CDLA/1121/2015

8 June, 2016

Failure 'to submit' to a medical examination if a health care professional refuses to divulge their qualifications

CE/288/2016

8 June, 2016

Failure 'to submit' to a medical examination when a health care professional refuses to divulge details of their experience

CE/62/2016