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…

Howard Shiplee, recently appointed Director General of Universal Credit made a speech the other day, providing an update, and, it has to be said, a dose of honesty, to the ‘progress’ and many critical mistakes that have been made in relation to Universal Credit. You can read his comments in…

The DWP have recently published a “Toolkit” which incorporates a series of recently updated briefing notes.  These notes are each individually accessed by links on the DWP Toolkit Page….

Access to some of the content of this page is limited to members…

Following the Secretary of State’s announcement on 12 March 2013 the Government has laid amending regulations to clarify the size criteria rules for two specific groups of Housing Benefit (HB) claimants: approved foster carers and parents of armed forces personnel. The amendments now make provision for a room to be…

The Public Accounts Committee yesterday published its latest report focused on how the changes to Housing Benefit and Universal Credit are likely to impact on tenants and landlords. Read the report: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmpubacc/814/81402.htm Its Chair, Margaret Hodge doesn’t mince her words (see below). “The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, Chair of…

The DWP has just recently published “Making your Universal Claim (UC) from April 2013” http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/making-your-universal-credit-claim-toolkit.pdf. The leaflet heralds the introduction of Universal Credit “Pathfinders” from April but only applies if you live in Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Warrington and Wigan. Even in those districts, only a selected few people (1500 per month)…

The DWP has just published a circular HB/CTB A8/2013 which confirms that consequential regulations have been introduced to correct an anomaly in the draft Universal Credit regulations which, but for the amendment, would have meant unemployed Non dependent sons, daughters or other adult members of the tenant’s extended family, between 21-24…

Ian Duncan-Smith has been forced to make further concessions following Prime Minister David Cameron’s gaff at PM Question Time last week. You may recall he stated to Parliament “Anyone with severely disabled children is exempt from the spare room subsidy” otherwise known as the “bedroom tax”. Now as everyone knew…

I’m sure you must have heard earlier this week of the Government’s concessions with regards to approved Foster Carers and armed forces personnel. The concessions came in the form of a written ministerial statement after weeks of growing political pressure and the popular press smelling Ministerial blood. The changes will…