We all expect, the “Bedroom Tax” to throw up many anomalies and horror stories after All Fools’ Day but here’s one I came across earlier today that seems to be taxing even the best Welfare Rights workers. What chance do mere mortals have if the experts are struggling with the…

One of the most frequent questions I get asked by my RSL clients and the delegates who attend our seminars is – when will Universal Credit directly affect our tenants? The truth is none of us know for certain at this stage. The DWP report “Local Support Services Framework” http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/uc-local-service-support-framework.pdf…

A recent article, “100,000 Scots could cash in on bedroom tax loophole” published by the Glasgow Herald http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/100000-scots-to-cash-in-on-bedroom-tax-loophole.20243112 has created a bit of stir in RSL, Council and DWP circles here in Scotland and has produced some interesting follow-up articles and website discussions in other parts of the UK. The…

The DWP has been busy over the weekend and has produced yet another report, focused this time, on how claimants in need of specialist Money Advice will be identified and provided with a range of support http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/personal-budgeting-support-guidance.pdf. Not surprisingly, the report alludes to the fact there already exists a network…

This latest offering from the DWP: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/uc-local-service-support-framework.pdf has been produced in collaboration with local authorities. The document sets out the principles of how critically important support for Universal Credit claimants might be delivered. Interestingly, it also hints there might be some sort of financial support for “partnership” organisations, including RSLs and…

The Government has responded to concerns raised by the Work and Pensions Committee about some aspects of its welfare reform proposals, including an obvious lack of clarity in some key areas and a very worrying lack of protection for landlords, especially in relation to “vulnerable” and delinquent tenants. Read its detailed response. http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm85/8537/8537.pdf…

The Residentail Landlords Association has just published an article which should interest your finance and rent accounting staff. It focuses on the issue of HB Overpayments, and, the oftentimes, overzealous attempts by Council Housing Benefit sections to recover large sums of money, sometimes many thousands of £’s, directly from landlords. In the…

Supporting Frontline staff As we draw nearer to the introduction of Universal Credit you will find there will be a glut of new guidance issued by the DWP to explain how the roll-out of UC will affect the way your frontline staff interact with tenants; deal with the demands of making digital claims,…

I was explaining to you on Thursday just how farsical the “Pathfinder” exercise was becoming and used the analogy of the Willy Wonka “Golden Ticket”. The following day the Government announced: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21972026 “However, the department now says this pilot programme will start only in one area in April – Ashton-under-Lyne.…

The DWP today released its latest version of the Discretionary Housing Payments Guidance Manual which comes into effect from 1st April 2013. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/discretionary-housing-payments-guide.pdf This latest version also includes a “Good Practice” guide with various examples of how the funds can be used. Staff assisting tenants who are considering ways to…