Welfare rights news and case law

18 January, 2016

Universal credit will not incentivise work, says chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee

Failure of new benefit to encompass council tax support and free school meals will throw system into a 'mild chaos'

18 January, 2016

Public Accounts Committee launches inquiry into contracted-out health and disability assessments

Review will, in part, consider whether the Department’s management of assessments represents value for money

18 January, 2016

Use of electronic documents in support of housing benefit claims

New DWP guidance

18 January, 2016

Changes to state pension age increases from April 2016

New housing benefit guidance

15 January, 2016

New video relay service launched to enable BSL users to make interpreted video calls to DWP

New service can be accessed via gov.uk, with no need to schedule an appointment

15 January, 2016

Further roll-out of the universal credit Digital Service

New statutory instrument

14 January, 2016

Wages received during an assessment period count as income for universal credit even if the job has ended

CUC/2888/2015

14 January, 2016

Jobcentre Plus support to be rolled out to schools

DWP press release says new scheme will offer both advice and work experience opportunities to 12 to 18 year olds

14 January, 2016

More than half of ESA claimants sanctioned between April 2014 and March 2015 had mental health problems

Figures included in DWP response to freedom of information request

14 January, 2016

Effect of depresssion and/or distress on ability to follow a journey

UK/313/2015

14 January, 2016

Only three per cent of pensioners expected to qualify for pension credit by 2060 due to new state pension

New research and analysis from the DWP also estimates that around three-quarters of those reaching state pension age will have a higher state pension

14 January, 2016

Tribunal erred in law by proceeding to determine appeal in absence of claimant who was unable to attend hearing due to mental health problems

CDLA/1123/2015

14 January, 2016

Notice of withdrawal of an appeal sent prior to a hearing or during an adjournment has immediate effect unless tribunal has directed that it can only take effect with its consent

CDLA/5247/2014

13 January, 2016

Decision of a Northern Ireland Tribunal of Commissioners has same status as decision of a Three Judge UT Panel

CE/3634/2014

13 January, 2016

Information on DWP website which leads a claimant to believe a claim would not succeed can trigger backdating of a subsequent claim

CJSA/3937/2014

13 January, 2016

Work and Pensions Committee urges government to take action on benefit cap rules for carers of adult disabled children

Letter to Lord Freud requests that guidance or legislation be put in place to ensure a reliable solution

13 January, 2016

Work and Pensions Committee launches inquiry into ‘intergenerational fairness’

Views sought on whether disparity in wealth between those born in 'baby boom' and younger people is a consequence of government policies such as the pensions 'triple lock'

13 January, 2016

All claimants directly affected by the reduction to work allowances in universal credit in April 2016 will be notified by the DWP

Employment Minister also confirms that 'tailored support' will be offered

12 January, 2016

Future of local welfare provision appears uncertain, says National Audit Office

New report highlights concern that, with reducing resources and competing pressures, many councils will be unable to continue offering support without specific government funding