Welfare rights news and case law

8 July, 2020

High Court holds that special rules for terminal illness, in case where claimant cannot demonstrate their death can be reasonably expected within six months, are ‘discriminatory' and 'manifestly without reasonable foundation'

Cox, Re Application for Judicial Review [2020] NIQB 53

8 July, 2020

Government announces £1 billion investment in the DWP to ‘support millions of people back to work’

Chancellor sets out new measures in a 'Plan for Jobs', designed to help secure the UK's economic recovery from coronavirus

7 July, 2020 Open access

Government confirms plan to double the number of work coaches in jobcentres by March 2021

Work and Pensions Secretary says central pillar of 'plan for recovery and revival' will see the 'ramping up' of jobcentre capability

7 July, 2020 Open access

Government says that some employers are reporting earnings incorrectly as a result of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

DWP is working closely with HMRC on the issue who have re-enforced guidance and are contacting employers on cases identified, reports Work and Pensions Minister

7 July, 2020

Further regulations issued to give effect to reciprocal arrangements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in relation to universal credit

New statutory rule in Northern Ireland

7 July, 2020

Expenditure on budgeting loans fell by £66 million last year, according to the Social Fund Account for 2019/2020

Decline in expenditure follows reduction in applications as a result of increasing numbers of people on universal credit who are not eligible for budgeting loans

6 July, 2020 Open access

DWP to recommence recovery of benefit related overpayments and social fund loans

People will be notified by letter or universal credit journal entries, though can request a deferral if they are experiencing 'real financial hardship'

6 July, 2020 Open access

Government announces that ‘review and renewal activity’ is to resume for PIP and DLA

However, DWP confirms that the suspension of face-to-face assessments for health and disability benefits is to continue following consideration of the latest public health guidance

6 July, 2020

Access to income-related benefits for family members of people of Northern Ireland

New statutory instrument

6 July, 2020

Karen Buck appointed as Shadow Work and Pensions Minister

MP for Westminster North replaces Kate Green in Labour's DWP team

3 July, 2020

Secretary of State confirms that DWP will not publish outcome of internal review of investigation processes relating to deaths of vulnerable claimants

Work and Pensions Committee Chair comments that DWP is still 'too wedded to secrecy' and that, without transparency, there is little hope of claimants 'having confidence that it has really learned the lessons of the past'

3 July, 2020 Open access

Ensuring that people who are shielding due to coronavirus are still entitled to SSP if they meet up with people outside their household

New statutory instruments

3 July, 2020 Open access

DWP confirms that, as lockdown measures are lifted, no sanctions will be used until claimants have an up-to-date claimant commitment

In addition, DWP says that those 'who are shielding, have childcare responsibilities because of COVID restrictions, etc' will not be asked to do anything unreasonable

3 July, 2020

Tax credits claimants urged to carefully check renewal notices before 31 July after HMRC issues around a million notices without correct income figures

LITRG advises that HMRC are in the process of contacting affected claimants to confirm the total income it will use to finalise their entitlement

3 July, 2020 Open access

Employment Minister confirms that claimants in England can now make appointment to see their work coach at a jobcentre if help can’t be given online or by phone

Written answer in parliament also confirms that work coaches will be calling all claimants 'as part of the individualised approach'

3 July, 2020 Open access

Almost 100 carers organisations sign open letter to Work and Pensions Secretary calling for £20 weekly carer’s allowance supplement during coronavirus crisis

Letter also calls for earnings limit to be raised by £11 a week this year, to align with National Living Wage rates for 16 hours of work

3 July, 2020

Regulations issued to give effect to reciprocal arrangements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in relation to universal credit

New statutory instrument

3 July, 2020

Ensuring that family members of people of Northern Ireland have same access to child benefit and child tax credit as family members of Irish citizens

New statutory instrument

3 July, 2020

Payment of non-static houseboat licence fee is an eligible cost for housing benefit purposes as it falls within regulation 12(1)(b) of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006

AB v London Borough of Camden (HB)
[2020] UKUT 158 (AAC)
CH/3284/2017