Background

We explained, in our 15th January 2019 bulletin, how DWP had introduced a “Gateway” or “barrier to entry” to Universal Credit, applying to all legacy benefit claimants who had an ongoing entitlement to the £66.95 (weekly) Severe Disability Premium (SDP) in their Income Related JSA, ESA, Income Support.…

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A happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to you.

One of the questions I’m most asked about is – can DWP award UC before the date of actual claim?

The answer is – YES – but, only in limited and prescribed situations. One such situation is, when a tenant,…

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This HOC library report – COVID Social security changes provides details of the various benefit measures the Government introduced in March 2020 to offset the detrimental impact of COVID and the Lockdown measures. It also provides a timetable explaining how and when these measures woud be withdrawn.

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HOC report – UC benefit assessment period & treatement of earnings payment anomaly which was remedied by Judicial Review and DWP’s acceptance of the Court’s ruling forcing it to introduce new regulations

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Another HOC briefing which explains how SDP recipients, previously claiming legacy benefits, could claim compensation for osing out in the orocess of transitioning to C

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A helpful background piece, from the HOC library, covering the often controversial topic of claiming Housing Benefit or Universal Credit “housing costs” when the tenant is closely related to their landlord.

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Renting to a “close family” member & claiming Housing Benefit

Two of my most read website articles, concern tenancies involving “family” members, where the tenants claimed Housing Benefit; were wrongly refused; and with my assistance, successfully appealed the Council’s decision.

The fact is, it’s neither illegal nor immoral…

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In an earlier bulletin, I highlighted the Court of Appeal ruling which found in favour of 4 single mothers, who were supported by CPAG. The case revolved around the way in which the ladies’ monthly salaries were being treated under Universal Credit rules, sometimes leaving them with a…

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Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, delivered his “Spending Review” in the House of Commons yesterday. The news, as I’m sure you anticipated, is not good on a number of fronts, some of which could adversely impact on tenants and your organisation, as the economy struggles to recover and Government debt…

Numbers of Universal Credit claimants have doubled, since the March lockdown. Of those new claimants, a disproportionate percentage  fall into the 16-24 age group. Many of these young people, no longer live at home and are forced to take on responsibility for rooms in HMOs or share property,…