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,…

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Just when we thought we were seeing a semblance of normality returning to our work environment, storm clouds return, in the form of more regional restrictions, combined with a failing economy, that, if the forecasters are right, could create a 10% unemployment rate, with the possibility of another 2-4…

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It’s great to receive feedback from clients, especially when it confirms how its staff have been using material in our regular bulletins to assist tenants overcome problems with Universal Credit and DWP’s administration. In earlier bulletins I’ve referred to the all too regular issue that arises when…

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Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced, last week, a new “Jobs Support Scheme” (JSS) as a replacement to the current Job Retention scheme (JRS), introduced in March 2020, which is due to end on 31st October. He also confirmed the extension of the Self-employed Income Support Scheme until April 2021.

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Under Universal Credit rules, the rate of “housing costs” for someone, single, and under the age of 35, is normally restricted to the Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR) when they are accommodated in Private Rented Sector accommodation. This rule mimics what happens under Housing Benefit. Whereas someone 35+ qualifies for…

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DWP continues to prevaricate on demands by SRS landlords, that it must act on notifications of ‘changes of circumstances’ that affect their tenants’ UC entitlement, and, in particular, their “housing costs element. Hard to believe, but we’re now 7 years and change into DWP’s administration of the Government’s…

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In recent bulletins, I’ve alluded to the fact, numbers of UC claimants have doubled, in a matter of weeks, to around 5.6 million, UK wide. This, and the fact, more than 50% of DWP’s staff are still working remotely, has contributed to delays in processing claims, responses to…

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Yesterday, Saturday 27th June, I received notification of a First-tier Tribunal outcome, to an appeal lodged more than 1 year ago. What’s so unusual about this is, I had no knowledge, neither did my client, the case was being considered, under new temporary rules, created by the COVID…

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A London based landlord client asked me to assist two of his joint tenants challenge an adverse Housing Benefit decision, explained below:

Council’s view – “You are currently registered as non-dependant under your brother, Mr Sandilands’s active claim for Housing Benefit.  According to the rules you are not…

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The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed DWP’s appeal against a previous High Court ruling which had found in favour of 4 single mothers, supported by CPAG. The case revolved around the way in which the ladies monthly salaries were treated under Universal Credit rules, sometimes leaving them with…