Good morning

Universal Credit – Upper-tier Tribunal – CSUC/280/2020 

In one of my earlier bulletins I discussed the implications of a Court of Appeal case, which found in favour of Danielle Johnson and 3 other single mothers, who had fallen foul of a Universal Credit rule…

Good afternoon,

Last December, I agreed to represent an elderly lady in a dispute over Housing Benefit with one of the London Boroughs. Her claim was refused, essentially because she was renting from her son, and the Council was unwilling to accept the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement they had…

Hi

You may already have seen this article  which appeared on BBC news the other day. It explains how in 2020-21, Fraud & Error in respect of DWP’s overall benefit payments amounted to £8.4billion, up from £4.6 Billion the year before. £6 Billion or 75% of the overall figure…

Details relating to the aforementioned act can be found here

Background

As well as introducing Universal Credit, the Welfare Reform Act 2012 makes amendments to jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance, income support, tax credits, industrial injuries benefit, housing benefit and the social fund. It also provides…

Good morning

Most state benefit rates have changed from this month.

Some, like Universal Credit, have been increased by 0.5% (in line with inflation). Whereas, Pensioners enjoy a rise of 2.5% to their state Pension. To access the comprehensive list of benefit type changes, and the variable amounts that apply,…

Good morning

The Government, in its Spring 2021 budget, announced its intention to accelerate the introduction of advantageous changes to the under 35 exceptions, relating to the LHA rate, which will impact on both Local Housing Allowance and UC “housing costs” claimants.

The changes are focused on two groups:

Good afternoon

Earlier this month I sent you a bulletin explaining how DWP expects, tenants of social landlords to report their April 2021 rent charge, even if there is no change to the amount.

Why is not clear, but for the first time, tenants who don’t experience a change…

Good evening

Rather disappointedly, DWP has failed, for the 8th successive year, to fulfil previous commitments of delivering a “bulk upload” solution for Universal Credit reliant tenants of Social Landlords and continues to place the onus squarely on the shoulders of tenants to report any rent changes via their

Background

We explained, in our 15th January 2019 bulletin, how DWP had introduced a “Gateway” or “barrier to entry” to Universal Credit, applying to all legacy benefit claimants who had an ongoing entitlement to the £66.95 (weekly) Severe Disability Premium (SDP) in their Income Related JSA, ESA, Income Support.…

Good morning

Renting to a “close family” member & claiming Housing Benefit

Two of my most read website articles, concern tenancies involving “family” members, where the tenants claimed Housing Benefit; were wrongly refused; and with my assistance, successfully appealed the Council’s decision.

The fact is, it’s neither illegal nor immoral…