Hi Members

The House of Lords report concludes, amongst other things:

Currently, Universal Credit claimants must wait five weeks for their first payment. Claimants are given the option of an Advance Payment if they do not think they will be able to manage financially, but this is expected to…

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I recently received notification of a successful Universal Credit appeal outcome, in which the Judge referred to DWP’s muddled mishandling of the case, which had taken nearly two years to resolve. Having secured the desired result for both my tenant & landlord clients, I was anxious to conclude…

DWP’s “Touchbase” publication, dated 24th July, confirmed the introduction of a 2-week run-on payment, from 22nd July 2020 for those “Legacy” benefit claimants who “naturally” migrate to Universal Credit from JSA, ESA and Income Support. This payment is quite separate and in addition to the run-on of Housing Benefit, introduced…

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My “Untidy Tenancy” bulletin of late February 2020 explains how, when couples separate or tenants, permanently vacate; move into residential care; enter prison (long term) or die, any remaining partners, non-dependent sons, daughters etc. can either be treated as liable for the full rent or can assume…

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Yesterday, Saturday 27th June, I received notification of a First-tier Tribunal outcome, to an appeal lodged more than 1 year ago. What’s so unusual about this is, I had no knowledge, neither did my client, the case was being considered, under new temporary rules, created by the COVID…

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A London based landlord client asked me to assist two of his joint tenants challenge an adverse Housing Benefit decision, explained below:

Council’s view – “You are currently registered as non-dependant under your brother, Mr Sandilands’s active claim for Housing Benefit.  According to the rules you are not…

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The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed DWP’s appeal against a previous High Court ruling which had found in favour of 4 single mothers, supported by CPAG. The case revolved around the way in which the ladies monthly salaries were treated under Universal Credit rules, sometimes leaving them with…

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Since UC was introduced, one of the biggest sources of frustration of social landlords’ staff is, DWP’s unwillingness to converse freely about tenants’ claims by phone, e-mail, or letter. In contrast, SRS staff, plus landlords in the private sector, enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship with Council HB teams,…

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Mick Roberts is a Nottingham based landlord, heavily invested in providing accommodation to benefit dependant tenants. Prior to the introduction of Universal Credit, he had become accustomed to dealing with 5 local councils. Within the council Housing Benefit sections he could email or phone named contacts and expect…

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Between the 16th March and end of April 2020, DWP processed:

a) Around 1.8 million claims for Universal Credit;

b) 700,000 claims for advance payments;

the vast majority of which were dealt with and paid within the usual 5 week period or, in the case of advances, within…