Welfare rights news and case law

22 March, 2016

Tribunal wrong to refuse to hear evidence or adjourn hearing when appellant arrived late for appeal / requirement for evidence of living together as husband and wife

CTC/1879/2015

22 March, 2016

Transitional arrangements for introduction of new state pension and bereavement support payment

New statutory instrument

21 March, 2016

Government confirms that it will not proceed with cuts to personal independence payment

New Secretary of State for Work and Pensions makes statement in the Commons

19 March, 2016

Stephen Crabb appointed as new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Appointment of former Secretary of State for Wales follows resignation yesterday of Iain Duncan Smith

18 March, 2016

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions resigns

Iain Duncan Smith says that he has reluctantly come to believe that the latest changes to disability benefits and the context in which they’ve been made are a compromise too far

18 March, 2016

Work and Pensions Select Committee launches inquiry on early drawing of the state pension

Policy would allow some women to choose to take a state pension sooner than scheduled in return for lower weekly payments for the duration of their retirement

18 March, 2016

Interpretation of the chewing or swallowing food or drink ESA descriptor

New DWP guidance

18 March, 2016

‘Substantial risk’ and limited capability for work-related activity

DWP issues new guidance to universal credit and ESA decision makers

18 March, 2016

New commencement order issued in relation to the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016

New statutory instrument

18 March, 2016

Tax credit ‘income rise disregard’ to be reduced to £2,500

New statutory instrument

17 March, 2016

Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 receives Royal Assent

Amongst other measures, Act makes provision in relation to child poverty measures, benefit cap reductions, a four year benefit freeze, cuts to ESA, universal credit and tax credits and support for mortgage interest

17 March, 2016

Scottish Government issues new statutory guidance in relation to the Scottish Welfare Fund

Guidance reflects the coming into force of the Welfare Funds (Scotland) Act 2015 from 1 April 2016

17 March, 2016

Restricting housing benefit and pension credit entitlement to 4 weeks in the event of temporary absence from Great Britain

DWP confirms delay to May 2016 in introduction of new rules

17 March, 2016

Welfare rights

Tribunal wrong to refuse to hear evidence or adjourn hearing when appellant arrived late for appeal / requirement for evidence of living together as husband and wife

CTC/1879/2015

Transitional arrangements for introduction of new state pension and bereavement support payment

Government confirms that it will not proceed with cuts to personal independence payment

Stephen Crabb appointed as new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions resigns

Work and Pensions Select Committee launches inquiry on early drawing of the state pension

Interpretation of the chewing or swallowing food or drink ESA descriptor

New DWP guidance

‘Substantial risk’ and limited capability for work-related activity

New commencement order issued in relation to the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016

Tax credit ‘income rise disregard’ to be reduced to £2,500

Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 receives Royal Assent

Scottish Government issues new statutory guidance in relation to the Scottish Welfare Fund

Restricting housing benefit and pension credit entitlement to 4 weeks in the event of temporary absence from Great Britain

Fewer than a quarter of those completing the Work Programme were still in work at the two year point

Welfare benefit-related measures in Budget 2016

Only 74 per cent of DLA cases reassessed for PIP result in an award

40 per cent of universal credit claimants were in employment as of 11 February 2016

Miscellaneous amendments to tax credits and child benefit

Mandatory reconsideration and time-limiting of contributory ESA in Northern Ireland