Welfare rights news and case law

14 November, 2016

Claimant entitled to carer’s allowance during year’s break from full-time study to care for son

CG/838/2015

11 November, 2016

Sanctuary Scheme bedroom tax judgment to be challenged in the European Court of Human Rights

Claimant's solicitors instructed to challenge Supreme Court's failure to require the UK government to formally exempt Scheme users

11 November, 2016

Lawfulness and scope of A8 derogations referred to Court of Justice of the European Union

CE/855/2014

11 November, 2016

Whether supersession of overpayment recoverability decision has retrospective effect / claimant not entitled to DLA where nursing home fees funded by the NHS

CDLA/3773/2014

10 November, 2016

Public Accounts Committee launches inquiry into benefit sanctions

Review will, in part, consider if benefit sanctions fit with the intended aims and outcomes of the DWP's wider working age employment policy

9 November, 2016

DWP issues new guidance in relation to Supreme Court bedroom tax cases

Department says that it is considering the Court's judgment and will take steps to ensure it complies with its terms 'in due course'

9 November, 2016

Supreme Court rules that bedroom tax discrimination is not justified in cases of ‘medical need’ for overnight care, but is justified for sanctuary scheme cases

[2016] UKSC 58

9 November, 2016

Benefit cap ‘regret’ motion defeated in the House of Lords

Speaking against the motion, Lord Freud outlines the 'strong support offer' in place in jobcentres and local authorities to help people into work

9 November, 2016

Work and Pensions Committee concerned that resources allocated to the Work and Health Programme do not match its ambition

New report also expresses doubts that Jobcentre Plus work coaches will have the necessary resources, skills and expertise to make the Programme a success

9 November, 2016

Evidence of a sexual relationship or sexuality is not determinative to 'living together as husband and wife' decisions

[2016] CSIH 84

9 November, 2016

DWP publishes roll-out schedule for application of the lower benefit cap to housing benefit claims

Local authorities will apply the lower cap in a phased roll-out to week commencing 23 January 2017

8 November, 2016

Welfare reforms since 2010 have led to ‘systematic violations' of the rights of persons with disabilities, says UN Committee

New report finds that cuts to benefits and care funding has disproportionately affected persons with disabilities and hindered their right to live independently

8 November, 2016

Obtaining information to deal with benefit fraud

DWP publishes revised code of practice following consultation exercise

8 November, 2016

44 per cent of foodbank referrals are due to benefit problems, says the Trussell Trust

DWP 'hotline' needed to improve foodbanks' ability to help get people out of a crisis faster, says charity

7 November, 2016

Families face annual losses of up to £2,800 as a result of cuts to universal credit work allowances

Resolution Foundation says most targeted way to support ‘just managing’ families is to raise work allowances, in particular for second earners and single parents

7 November, 2016

Majority of those affected by the benefit cap have not responded by moving into work, moving house or claiming a disability benefit

New briefing from the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests that savings from the policy have been 'trivial'

7 November, 2016

Welfare rights

Claimant entitled to carer’s allowance during year’s break from full-time study to care for son

CG/838/2015

Sanctuary Scheme bedroom tax judgment to be challenged in the European Court of Human Rights

Lawfulness and scope of A8 derogations referred to Court of Justice of the European Union

Whether supersession of overpayment recoverability decision has retrospective effect / claimant not entitled to DLA where nursing home fees funded by the NHS

Public Accounts Committee launches inquiry into benefit sanctions

DWP issues new guidance in relation to Supreme Court bedroom tax cases

Supreme Court rules that bedroom tax discrimination is not justified in cases of ‘medical need’ for overnight care, but is justified for sanctuary scheme cases

[2016] UKSC 58

Benefit cap ‘regret’ motion defeated in the House of Lords

Work and Pensions Committee concerned that resources allocated to the Work and Health Programme do not match its ambition

Evidence of a sexual relationship or sexuality is not determinative to 'living together as husband and wife' decisions

DWP publishes roll-out schedule for application of the lower benefit cap to housing benefit claims

Welfare reforms since 2010 have led to ‘systematic violations' of the rights of persons with disabilities, says UN Committee

Obtaining information to deal with benefit fraud

44 per cent of foodbank referrals are due to benefit problems, says the Trussell Trust

Families face annual losses of up to £2,800 as a result of cuts to universal credit work allowances

Majority of those affected by the benefit cap have not responded by moving into work, moving house or claiming a disability benefit

State pension triple lock is unsustainable and should be replaced, says Work and Pensions Committee

DWP must update its assessment of expected benefits of universal credit in the light of policy and operational changes

Reciprocal social security arrangements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland