Good morning, Representing landlords in relation to HB Overpayment disputes with councils is a routine event for me, especially these days, with DWP incentivising local authorities to identify and pursue recovery of the £1.8 billion overpaid in HB each year. Most of the amounts range from £500 to £3000; large…

Good morning, In my bulletin http://universalcreditadvice.com/housing-associations/2015/08/universal-credit-apas—what-to-do-when-dwp-get-it-wrong I encourage you to challenge any Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) request, which is: a) Refused unreasonably or without adequate reasons being given; or b) Payment of the “housing element” is NOT suspended, pending a decision, and continues to be paid to your tenant; or…

Good morning, DWP has from Monday of this week (4th June 2015) introduced a new escalation telephony service line (0345 266 0041) for registered social landlord and local authority (LAs) with urgent “housing cost” enquiries. The line will not be available to private sector landlords. Perceived problem Registered Social Landlords…

Good morning, In an earlier bulletin I explained how the DWP had introduced a new scheme of “Third Party Payments” for Universal Credit. Since then DWP has produced a TPP handbook which you’ll find here. I’ve also been asked a series of related questions, by website members. Most have been…

Good morning, Almost a year ago, I highlighted the scandal (see my bulletin http://universalcreditadvice.com/ha/2014/11/rent-arrears-caused-by-dwp-maladministration ) of DWP causing, through maladministration, unnecessary cancellations of Housing Benefit, creating, in turn, significant amounts of rent arrears for both social and private landlords and misery and worry for those tenants affected by the error. As…

Good afternoon, Rollout expansion DWP, in the past few days, has announced the latest Jobcentre areas to “go-live” with Universal Credit. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/universal-credit-in-15-more-jobcentres-in-suffolk-berkshire-and-yorkshire The areas include: Bracknell | Chelmsford | Coalville | Cromer | Doncaster | Fakenham | Hatfield | Maidenhead | Mexborough | North Walsham | Slough | Stowmarket |…

Good morning, As I’m sure you’re already aware, the Government has, on a number of occasions, flagged up the likelihood of Housing Benefit entitlement being withdrawn from the majority of 18-21 year olds from April 2017. The House of Commons library has just produced a briefing, which can be found…

Good morning, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced a number of welfare measures as part of yesterday’s Summer Budget. The measures will be phased in and will not affect any claimants until April 2016 at the earliest, with many changes affecting only new claimants. The main changes include:…

Good Morning, DWP recently announced the Discretionary Housing Payments budget for 2015/16. Surprisingly, this year’s budget has been cut by around 25% from £165M to £125M nationally – through cuts to previous core funding, benefits cap and LHA allocations, although, in the case of LHA a further £45M of targetted funding…

Good afternoon, DWP has now confirmed that tranches 3 & 4 of the national rollout, should complete between September to November 2015 and January to April 2016 respectively. The announcement, including details of areas and associated dates, can be found here It also confirms, traches 1 & 2 have been completed…