DWP has just issued a briefing note, in response to frequently asked questions (FAQ’s), which is designed to help you understand how the “extra room” should be assessed, when dealing with formally approved Foster Carers; “family and friend” fostering placements(Kinship in Scotland); and those awaiting to be formally approved as…

The DWP has just provided an update to its February 2013 Local Support Services Framework (LSSF) report which gives much more detail on what is likely to happen to claimants, needing budgeting and alternative payment arrangements, as Universal Credit is rolled out nationally from October 2013. The update https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-local-support-services-framework firstly…

As you know, from my earlier bulletins, the Benefits Cap (limiting of Social Security household benefit awards to £350 or £500 per week, depending on household make-up) is designed to ensure workless households should no longer receive more in social security benefits than the average earnings of working households. The…

Universal Credit took it first hesitant steps yesterday in the Ashton-under-Lyne, Jobcentre Plus Pathfinder with the other three projects due to commence in July. The Pathfinders, as their name suggests, were designed to test out the preparedness of the DWP and Councils, and especially the super-duper, real-time, IT system, that…

Direct Payment Trigger proposals revealed The DWP has just issued the latest of its Housing Benefit circulars A13/2013 titled “Universal Credit: Change of circumstances affecting Housing Benefit”. As I waded my way, slowly through its contents, I came across, on page 16 (one of the annexes) the following paragraph, addressing…

As I expected, my bulletins tend to produce queries on a number of fronts. One question which has arisen on a few occasions is: “How will we be able to pursue the tenant’s son or daughter if the “household” payment is made to them?” The question is based on a…

Below you’ll find an exchange of e-mails involving Council Tax which you may find of interest. Many English and Welsh councils anxious to raise new revenue streams have been sending out letters to RSLs suggesting they should be billed for council tax liability during tenancy void periods. A number of…

Disabled tenants to fight bedroom tax in the High Court A number of disabled tenants have been granted a judicial review hearing of the Government’s decision to cut housing benefits to people considered to be under-occupying. The tenants in question are being represented by Leigh Day, Solicitors who have lodged…

I received an e-mail from one of my clients this morning seeking some advice on two issues which were troubling her. The Q & A I’m sure will be of interest to you as well so she very kindly allowed me to share this with you. Questions Morning Bill I…

Only days after its introduction we’re already seeing evidence of how Council decisions, in relation to the under-occupation sanctions (bedroom tax), can be successfully challenged when the facts, caselaw and arguments are presented in persuasive fashion to council Housing Benefit managers. You can read the story here: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/charity-wins-appeal-over-bedroom-tax-for-sheffield-family-1-5564992 In this…