Welfare rights news and case law

22 March, 2018

Number of pensioners in relative low income is at its highest level since around 2009/2010

New DWP statistics also show that income inequality has remained broadly flat over a similar period

22 March, 2018

Whether a polygamous marriage is valid for the purposes of bereavement benefit

CG/1564/2017

22 March, 2018

Uprating of mesothelioma lump sum payments in Northern Ireland 2018/2019

New statutory rule

22 March, 2018

Benefit uprating in Northern Ireland 2018/2019

New statutory rules

21 March, 2018

Tens of thousands of people underpaid ESA by thousands of pounds each due to DWP error, says NAO

DWP 'failed to get a proper grip on the problem' for several years, and says that not everyone will be repaid all the money they missed out on

21 March, 2018

Only 76 per cent of households on universal credit in December 2017 were actually receiving a payment

New DWP statistics say there may be 'a number of reasons' why a household would not receive a payment

21 March, 2018

House of Lords votes in favour of motion to delay regulations that introduce an earnings threshold for free school meals under universal credit

Delaying the change will enable the government to ‘put their house in order’ and complete a full poverty impact assessment

21 March, 2018

84 per cent of PIP new claim mandatory reconsiderations result in no change to the award

New DWP statistics show that 78 per cent of reassessment disability living allowance (DLA) reconsiderations also result in no change

21 March, 2018

Destination of HMCTS reform programme is the creation of a single web-based system, leading to e-filing and management

However, Senior President of Tribunals says that the use of tribunal pilot schemes to test the digitalisation of processes will aim to take account of the needs of all potential users

21 March, 2018

700,000 more pensioners could be living in poverty by 2050 if triple lock is scrapped

New research finds that scrapping the guarantee would reduce the income of the poorest pensioners by £800 a year

21 March, 2018

DWP advises local authorities that Court of Appeal benefit cap judgment may be appealed

However, guidance also says that local authorities should continue to apply the current benefit cap rules to lone parents with children under 2 'as usual'

21 March, 2018

Scottish Government starts recruiting for its new Social Security Agency

Job opportunities will be offered with a wide variety of working patterns in order to get a diverse workforce

20 March, 2018

Court of Appeal rules that tribunals do not have the power to disapply or ignore bedroom tax regulations

[2018] EWCA Civ 548

20 March, 2018

Access to Work cap to be increased to twice average earnings

Work and Pensions Secretary announces increase in annual limit as part of package of measures designed to improve the scheme

20 March, 2018

Adequacy of personal independence payment appeal responses that do not refer to a full list of descriptors

CPIP/1261/2017

20 March, 2018

Benefit uprating for 2017/2018 in Northern Ireland

New statutory rules ensure that benefit uprating legislation remains valid whilst the Northern Ireland Assembly is not available to provide approval

20 March, 2018

Lump sum payments payable to people with diffuse mesothelioma in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

19 March, 2018

Registration requirements for Croatian workers will not be extended beyond 30 June 2018

Immigration Minister says Croatian citizens will be able to seek and obtain employment in the UK on the same basis as currently enjoyed by all other EU citizens

16 March, 2018

Date from which arrears of benefit are due to claimants who were underpaid ESA on their conversion from incapacity benefit

DWP issues new guidance following recent Upper Tribunal judgment