Welfare rights news and case law

7 June, 2016

Modified universal basic income scheme could reduce the level of inequality at a manageable cost

New discussion paper published by Compass examines model that would reduce the volume of benefit means testing by around a fifth

7 June, 2016

Over three-quarters of council tenants in receipt of universal credit are in rent arrears

New research from the National Federation of ALMOs reveals that only half of those households had pre-existing rent arrears

7 June, 2016

Government needs to focus on supporting people in work as opposed to getting them off benefits if it is to reduce disability employment gap

New report from the Resolution Foundation recommends expansion of the Access to Work scheme

7 June, 2016

Universal credit causing 'serious detriment' to vulnerable claimants says Citizens Advice Scotland

New report recommends changes to address multiple 'teething problems' including those relating to delays in payment, the sanctions regime and insufficient face-to-face support

7 June, 2016

Reasons and fact finding requirements when assessing if a signature is fake or belongs to a claimant

CIS/109/2015

6 June, 2016

DLA and PIP to continue in payment for people who are under 18 when first entering hospital

New regulations issued in Northern Ireland

2 June, 2016

An ability to carry out an activity safely under regulation 4 is a distinct concept from requiring supervision for that activity

CPIP/3573/2015

1 June, 2016

First-tier Tribunal has power to direct a medical assessment

CPIP/3544/2015

1 June, 2016

DHP funding priorities extended to include women who are within 11 weeks of childbirth and households with a child aged 9 months or under

New edition of HB Direct confirms that discretionary housing payments guidance manual has been updated to reflect additional priorities

31 May, 2016

Local authorities in Scotland paid out nearly £50 million in DHPs during 2015/2016

New statistics from the Scottish Government show that the average award was around £425

31 May, 2016

New commencement order issued in relation to the Welfare Reform and Work Act

New statutory instrument

26 May, 2016

Availability of suitable housing is the principal local factor that affects DHP expenditure

Survey of housing benefit managers carried out by the DWP also finds that data sharing with the Department is problematic for nearly a quarter of local authorities

26 May, 2016

First Minister sets out plans to put 'dignity and respect' back at the heart of Scotland's social security system

Priorities for the next five years of Scottish government to include abolition of the bedroom tax and to set up a new Scottish Social Security Agency

26 May, 2016

Time is not determinative for assessing the ‘main responsibility’ test for child tax credit

CTC/611/2015

26 May, 2016

Almost half of referrals to Work Choice programme fail to result in a ‘job outcome’

DWP publishes new figures for Programme referrals, starts and outcomes for 2015/2016

26 May, 2016

New commencement order issued in relation to the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order

New statutory rule

25 May, 2016

Further extension of digital claims for universal credit

New DWP guidance

25 May, 2016

Additional payments for local authorities as a result of pension credit assessed income period reform

New DWP guidance sets out the payments that will be awarded to each authority

25 May, 2016

Electronic claims and notifications for ESA and industrial injuries benefits

New DWP guidance