Welfare rights news and case law

11 June, 2018

Chair of Work and Pensions Select Committee raises concerns over cash incentives for health care professionals to carry out 'extra' benefit assessments

However, Atos, Capita and Maximus say offering bonuses has 'in no way compromised the service'

11 June, 2018

Deduction for under-occupation, and relevance of claimant’s use of the room and the landlord’s designation of the property

CH/211/2015

8 June, 2018

Almost half of universal credit claimants say that they needed help in registering their claim online

New DWP research finds that, even amongst those with experience of claiming other benefits, many found it more difficult to claim universal credit

8 June, 2018

DWP sets out how it intends to examine evidence for how universal credit is working in the labour market

However, department acknowledges that the range of information that will be taken into account in the future will not be comprehensive and will not necessarily help to clearly identify the impact of universal credit

8 June, 2018

Scottish Government calls for direct payments of housing costs to landlords to be synchronised with universal credit payment dates

Social Security Minister warns that interaction of DWP’s four-weekly creditor payment system and Scottish universal credit payment flexibilities is causing serious problems for landlords and claimants

7 June, 2018

Work and Pensions Secretary announces measures to transitionally protect claimants who lose out on migration to universal credit

However delay also announced in the completion of universal credit roll-out to March 2023 ‘in order to make the changes to the system’

7 June, 2018

Universal credit provides 'huge benefits for claimants, the broader population and the economy as a whole', says DWP

However, Chair of Work and Pensions Committee refers to universal credit programme Business Case summary as a 'bullish piece of guesswork'

7 June, 2018

High sanction rate in universal credit risks increasing destitution levels as roll-out continues

New report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation finds that benefit delays, gaps, sanctions and harsh recovery practices are common factors that tip people into destitution

7 June, 2018

Around 4,000 people who were in receipt of ESA that included a severe disability premium have migrated to universal credit

New DWP statistics also show that at February 2018 there were 1.4 million ESA claimants with an award that included at least one disability premium

7 June, 2018

Additional amounts for children and qualifying young persons in pension credit awards

New statutory instrument makes provision for additional amounts for children where claimants do not have a tax credit award

7 June, 2018

Cabinet Secretary for Education launches consultation on eligibility for free school meals under universal credit in Wales

Welsh Government proposes introduction of an earned income threshold of £7,400 per annum in January 2019

7 June, 2018

Work coaches spending additional time with claimants leads to a stronger relationship and a more holistic experience

DWP publishes findings from the Personalisation Pathfinder trial

7 June, 2018

Translation and emotional or social support are not material for the purposes of establishing a right to reside through dependence on a family member

CPC/2200/2017

6 June, 2018

PIP changes should serve as notice for Atos and Capita to ‘start delivering, or else’

Government is making important steps to enable it to get out of a 'hole of its own making', says Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee

6 June, 2018

Tribunal’s failure to properly consider ESA regulation 29 by not assesing risk posed by physical health factors during journeys to and from work

CE/2821/2017

5 June, 2018

Work and Pensions Secretary refuses to provide details of how many PIP claimants have been affected by the DWP's error in applying PIP daily living activity 3

'If Members want to talk about matters outside the scope of the urgent question, that will be for a different occasion and a different day', says Esther McVey

5 June, 2018

Government outlines measures designed to 'improve the experience' of those claiming personal independence payment

Minister announces intention to explore options to extend the current assessment contracts, and to develop a DWP-owned IT system

5 June, 2018

More than 30,000 people in Northern Ireland are in receipt of support to mitigate the impact of the bedroom tax

Department of Communities publishes bi-annual update on the application of Regulation 2(2) of the Housing Benefit (Welfare Supplementary Payment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017

5 June, 2018

Residence rights of family members after death or departure of Union citizen / acquiring a right of permanent residence by ceasing paid employment to take early retirement

CE/2435/2016