Dear Member

To qualify for the disability elements, the DWP assesses how your condition impacts your ability to perform specific physical and mental tasks. The process is measured through a “points” system based on 17 activities (10 physical and 7 mental/cognitive).

The Points System (The Scoring Phase)

Each activity has…

Dear Member

Claimants qualify for Universal Credit (UC) disability elements—specifically

Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA)—primarily through a Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

The Qualification Process

Reporting and Fit Notes: You must first report your health condition or disability via your Universal Credit online account. If your condition…

Good afternoon

My recent bulletin has prompted a quick reaction from frontline staff, seeking further advice on when the review is due to start, which groups will be targeted first, and what can be done to avoid or mitigate potential problems, so I’ve prepared this further note.

Starting date

Good morning

I recently wrote about the DWP’s Targeted Review of Universal Credit claims and awards, which is being implemented nationwide. This latest bulletin highlights several concerning features regarding the handling of cases by the Enhanced Review (ERT) and “Complaints and Resolutions” (CRT) teams. Both have caused significant disruption…

Good morning

One of my landlord clients recently asked DWP to correct an error in its tenant’s housing costs, caused by the unwarranted application of a Non-dependent deduction (NDD). The tenant was a PIP (Daily Living) recipient and, as such, was entitled to have the usual NDD charge waived in…

Good morning

The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 2nd December 2025 and represents the latest phase in the Government’s plan to implement a range of measures to strengthen the integrity of the social security system, prevent overpayments, minimise fraud and ensure that…

Good morning

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released updated guidance regarding Alternative Payment Arrangements (APA), commonly known as Direct Payments. This revision follows a judicial review, initiated by Mr Roberts, a tenant of Guinness Housing Association, who challenged DWP’s failure to consult him before redirecting his…

Good morning

A disabled claimant found himself homeless and destitute as a direct result of the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) administrative shortcomings, apparent lack of understanding and empathy towards vulnerable individuals.

I was approached recently by a 58-year-old man, desperate for help after becoming homeless and penniless, and…

Good morning

Housing officers, welfare rights advisers, and financial inclusion staff frequently enquire about the expected timescales for responses from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or local councils regarding Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) requests or Housing Benefit appeals. Unfortunately, there are no statutory or formally prescribed timeframes for these…

Good afternoon

The issue outlined below is a recurring theme in the Universal Credit (UC) journals of thousands of tenant claimants across England, and to a lesser extent in Scotland & Wales. This is evident from the numerous emails received from landlord clients. The rejection of “housing costs” occurs both…