Welfare rights news and case law

7 February, 2018

Department for Communities outlines approach to reviewing PIP claims in Northern Ireland following High Court judgment

Regulations in Northern Ireland will be amended and the Department will review all cases that may be impacted by the judgment

7 February, 2018

Nearly three-quarters of people affected by the benefit cap in Scotland are lone parents, of which half have a child under three

New report from CPAG in Scotland and OPFS makes a series of recommendations for both the UK and Scottish government as well as local authorities

7 February, 2018

Introduction of a universal credit earnings threshold for entitlement to free school meals

New regulations also provide for transitional protection from the changes during the roll-out of universal credit

7 February, 2018

Housing benefit administration subsidy arrangements for local authorities in 2018/2019

New housing benefit guidance

6 February, 2018

More than two thirds of respondents to latest Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey say that the benefit system is not effective in encouraging people to work

Majority said that they felt that the benefits system provides more money than is available from working, and allows people to remain on benefits and avoid work

5 February, 2018

Accepting concessions from unrepresented claimants / duty of tribunals to consider and record conclusions on appropriateness of doing so

CPIP/2582/2017

2 February, 2018

Department for Communities revises universal credit roll-out schedule in Northern Ireland

Roll-out will not now be complete until December 2018

2 February, 2018

More than £21m additional benefits claimed in Northern Ireland as a result of 'benefit uptake' initiative

Department for Communities reports that household income of 4,810 people across the country increased by an average of £85 per week

2 February, 2018

Requirement to give reasons in DLA to PIP conversion cases if PIP decision appears to be inconsistent with DLA decision

CPIP/3272/2016

2 February, 2018

DWP confirms that Real Time Information recovery service to help local authorities chase historic housing benefit debts will go live from April 2018

Following a successful second pilot of the service, all local authorities will have the option of referring cases to be matched against HMRC employment and pension data

1 February, 2018

4,000 households claiming universal credit in the full service were subject to the benefit cap as at November 2017

New DWP statistics also show that 17 per cent of those were capped by the equivalent of more than £100 per week

1 February, 2018

Only 35 per cent of universal credit claimants are using Verify online

Privacy and Consumer Advisory Group also highlights that, even with support, many claimants are unable to verify their identity using the service

1 February, 2018

Scottish Government confirms it will offer alternatives to cash in lieu of devolved disability benefits

Payment choices will be reflected through draft amendments to the Social Security (Scotland) Bill

1 February, 2018

DWP publishes new guidance for providers of the Work and Health Programme

DWP says that the guidance is designed to support providers by 'setting out the important things you need to know and do'

31 January, 2018

Minister confirms that PIP reviews following High Court judgment will include those who scored zero points

However, government says that it is unable to set out a timetable within which it will complete the process

31 January, 2018

Assistance gained from aids and appliances should not be considered when assessing the mental health descriptors

CE/611/2017

31 January, 2018

Disability element of working tax credit may continue indefinitely after claimant no longer meets certain conditions that led to original award

CTC/2165/2017

30 January, 2018

Government announces it has decided not to undertake a feasibility study on issuing warnings before sanctions

Progress report to Public Accounts Committee also states that the DWP has been unable to identify any evidence that housing benefit claims have been stopped in error due to sanctions

30 January, 2018

DWP confirms it is reviewing 1.6 million PIP claims following High Court judgment

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work says review will include claimants who currently receive the standard rate of the mobility component