Good morning

For the 2nd time in less than 1 year, DWP’s Universal Credit “Migration” rules, relating to severely disabled claimants, have been ruled “discriminatory” by the High Court.

In an earlier bulletin I explained how two appellants, referred to as TP & AR, had secured compensation for the…

Afternoon

As you may already have gathered, the first stage of the Universal Credit, rent updating exercise, has not gone as well as hoped. I discovered this when several of my clients started emailing and phoning on Tuesday, having received, in some cases, 200+ demands for verification via their portals…

In order to access your existing account on the new website, you will need to create a new password. To do this:

Go to the reset password page and enter your email address used on the old website. You will receive an email with a link you can click to set your…

Hi

Over the past three years, I’ve been pursuing DWP to make compensation payments for some of my landlord clients, where applications for Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs), or “Managed Payments” relating to Universal Credit, have been mishandled, due mainly, to the department’s insistence on a failed policy of “Explicit Consent”…

Hi

The RLA’s Policy Officer, Natalie Williamson issued the following news report last week highlighting DWP has, at long last, decided to permit you direct access to your tenant’s Case Manager, when you have concerns over mounting rent arrears and possible legal action for recovery.

It’s hoped the new…

Good morning

As I’m sure you’re aware, under Housing Benefit/LHA rules there are a number of scenarios where tenants and family members can be absent from home for weeks/months without any adverse effect on the household HB/LHA entitlement, Some, but not all of these concessions, are available, as well, under…

Monday 29th April was a red letter day in Ashton-Under-Lyne’s, Job Center Plus iffice, as it was from there that the DWP decided to launch its first Universal Credit Pathfinder project, and kick-off a massive exercise designed to revolutionise the social security system in the UK.  Amongst other things to…

Briefing note aimed at frontline staff dealing with tenants and families where there is someone with quite severe health problems that affect their ability to get around or operate independently.

Click here if you wish to view the briefing note

Benefits Cap update for frontline staff focusing on the staged implementation, the impact already experienced by 2400 tenants and the overall likely impact on tenants

Click here to read the full article as a PDF

I’m sure you’re already aware that the Local Finance Act November 2012 makes provision for the localisation of a Council Tax Support scheme in England.  In Wales similar provisions have been made for a Council Tax Reduction scheme.  In doing so, the Government has effectively abolished the national Council Tax…