Welfare rights news and case law

18 April, 2016

Ombudsman launches Independent Review scheme for Scottish Welfare Fund decisions

From 1 April 2016, new scheme provides for review of local authority decisions on crisis grant and community care grant applications

15 April, 2016

Benefit problems remain biggest cause of foodbank use, says Trussell Trust

New data also shows an emerging correlation between foodbank use and areas with high numbers of people who are in skilled manual work or unable to work due to long term illness or disability

15 April, 2016

Entitlement to pension credit when indefinite leave to remain granted under a sponsorship agreement

CSPC/379/2009

15 April, 2016

Competent state for paying carer’s allowance to a British worker resident in Europe

CG/1862/2015

14 April, 2016

British Psychological Society expresses 'extreme concern' at 'training, behaviour and outcome goals' of some disability benefit assessors

Professional body puts forward a series of 'strong recommendations' for ways in which the assessment system should be improved

14 April, 2016

Use of microwave to heat ready prepared food is not sufficient / importance of applying regulations 4 and 7

CPIP/1418/2015

14 April, 2016

Mandatory reconsideration in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

14 April, 2016

Somatic symptoms can fall within activity 2 - moving around

CPIP/3017/2015

13 April, 2016

Almost 250,000 claimants waited more than 10 days to have their JSA or ESA claims processed in the last year

Responding to written questions Minister for Employment confirms that just 93,307 short-term benefit advances were made in the same period

13 April, 2016

Clear findings required when imposing sanctions for ‘refuses or fails to apply’ or ‘neglecting to avail’ opportunity of employment

CJSA/2583/2015

13 April, 2016

Using stairs ‘unaided by another person’ meant without active physical or psychological support in cases before January 2013

CE/1850/2014

13 April, 2016

Previous finding about when claimant began to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome not binding on new claim for disablement benefit

CI/3388/2014

12 April, 2016

New Secretary of State for Work and Pensions shares some 'early thoughts' about the kind of welfare system he believes in

From the very top of the organisation to the farthest flung jobcentre, we are in the people business, says Stephen Crabb

12 April, 2016

Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommends simplified evidence requirements for prescribed disease D9 - diffuse pleural thickening

Developments in medical assessment techniques lead IIAC to also conclude that less restrictive prescription is appropriate when assessing lung damage

12 April, 2016

Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommends that terms for Prescribed Disease B6 should be extended

Council notes that published evidence points to new occupational causes of the lung condition

11 April, 2016

Social support can be provided by family and friends for the purposes of descriptor 9(c)

CPIP/3603/2015

Welfare rights

Ombudsman launches Independent Review scheme for Scottish Welfare Fund decisions

From 1 April 2016, new scheme provides for review of local authority decisions on crisis grant and community care grant applications

Benefit problems remain biggest cause of foodbank use, says Trussell Trust

Entitlement to pension credit when indefinite leave to remain granted under a sponsorship agreement

Competent state for paying carer’s allowance to a British worker resident in Europe

British Psychological Society expresses 'extreme concern' at 'training, behaviour and outcome goals' of some disability benefit assessors

Use of microwave to heat ready prepared food is not sufficient / importance of applying regulations 4 and 7

Mandatory reconsideration in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

Somatic symptoms can fall within activity 2 - moving around

Almost 250,000 claimants waited more than 10 days to have their JSA or ESA claims processed in the last year

Clear findings required when imposing sanctions for ‘refuses or fails to apply’ or ‘neglecting to avail’ opportunity of employment

Using stairs ‘unaided by another person’ meant without active physical or psychological support in cases before January 2013

Previous finding about when claimant began to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome not binding on new claim for disablement benefit

New Secretary of State for Work and Pensions shares some 'early thoughts' about the kind of welfare system he believes in

Evidence of authorised surveillance in an overpayment appeal

Work done ‘in expectation of payment’ for working tax credit eligibility

Claimant had ‘right to reside’ which was excluded for purpose of securing entitlement to income support

Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommends simplified evidence requirements for prescribed disease D9 - diffuse pleural thickening

Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommends that terms for Prescribed Disease B6 should be extended

Social support can be provided by family and friends for the purposes of descriptor 9(c)