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.…

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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…

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In an earlier bulletin, I highlighted the Court of Appeal ruling which found in favour of 4 single mothers, who were supported by CPAG. The case revolved around the way in which the ladies’ monthly salaries were being treated under Universal Credit rules, sometimes leaving them with a…

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Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, delivered his “Spending Review” in the House of Commons yesterday. The news, as I’m sure you anticipated, is not good on a number of fronts, some of which could adversely impact on tenants and your organisation, as the economy struggles to recover and Government debt…

Numbers of Universal Credit claimants have doubled, since the March lockdown. Of those new claimants, a disproportionate percentage  fall into the 16-24 age group. Many of these young people, no longer live at home and are forced to take on responsibility for rooms in HMOs or share property,…

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Just when we thought we were seeing a semblance of normality returning to our work environment, storm clouds return, in the form of more regional restrictions, combined with a failing economy, that, if the forecasters are right, could create a 10% unemployment rate, with the possibility of another 2-4…

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It’s great to receive feedback from clients, especially when it confirms how its staff have been using material in our regular bulletins to assist tenants overcome problems with Universal Credit and DWP’s administration. In earlier bulletins I’ve referred to the all too regular issue that arises when…

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Under Universal Credit rules, the rate of “housing costs” for someone, single, and under the age of 35, is normally restricted to the Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR) when they are accommodated in Private Rented Sector accommodation. This rule mimics what happens under Housing Benefit. Whereas someone 35+ qualifies for…

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DWP continues to prevaricate on demands by SRS landlords, that it must act on notifications of ‘changes of circumstances’ that affect their tenants’ UC entitlement, and, in particular, their “housing costs element. Hard to believe, but we’re now 7 years and change into DWP’s administration of the Government’s…

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In recent bulletins, I’ve alluded to the fact, numbers of UC claimants have doubled, in a matter of weeks, to around 5.6 million, UK wide. This, and the fact, more than 50% of DWP’s staff are still working remotely, has contributed to delays in processing claims, responses to…