Welfare rights news

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

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

New statistics also highlight that almost two thirds of participants returned to Jobcentre Plus at the end of their two years on the programme

16 March, 2016

Welfare benefit-related measures in Budget 2016

Analysis shows that the proportion of welfare and public services going to the poorest has been protected, says Chancellor

16 March, 2016

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

New DWP statistics

16 March, 2016

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

New DWP statistics

16 March, 2016

Miscellaneous amendments to tax credits and child benefit

New statutory instrument

16 March, 2016

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

New statutory rule

16 March, 2016

Abolition of contracting out of additional state pension in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

15 March, 2016

Government should explore option of allowing women given short notice of state pension age increase to retire earlier on decreased pension

Report from Work and Pensions Committee also concludes that passing legislation in good time 'does not constitute sufficient notice'

15 March, 2016

Dedicated phone line set up to receive calls from claimants affected by the work allowance changes in universal credit

Minister for Employment also advises that work coaches have been reminded of availability of the Flexible Support Fund to support affected claimants

15 March, 2016

Changes to means tested benefits in Northern Ireland as a result of the introduction of a Scottish rate of income tax for Scottish taxpayers

New statutory rule

15 March, 2016

Transitional arrangements for sharing of state pension on divorce, nullity of marriage, or dissolution or annulment of civil partnership

New regulations issued in Northern Ireland

14 March, 2016

Welfare rights

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

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

New statutory instrument

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

Abolition of contracting out of additional state pension in Northern Ireland

Government should explore option of allowing women given short notice of state pension age increase to retire earlier on decreased pension

Dedicated phone line set up to receive calls from claimants affected by the work allowance changes in universal credit

Changes to means tested benefits in Northern Ireland as a result of the introduction of a Scottish rate of income tax for Scottish taxpayers

Reciprocal arrangements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Local welfare funds designated ‘public funds’ for immigration purposes

Help with NHS costs in Wales

Transitional arrangements for sharing of state pension on divorce, nullity of marriage, or dissolution or annulment of civil partnership

National insurance credits and the new state pension

Benefit uprating in Northern Ireland

Government announces changes to personal independence payment ‘aids and appliances’ rules