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,…

Hi

This HOC library report – COVID Social security changes provides details of the various benefit measures the Government introduced in March 2020 to offset the detrimental impact of COVID and the Lockdown measures. It also provides a timetable explaining how and when these measures woud be withdrawn.

Good morning

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced, last week, a new “Jobs Support Scheme” (JSS) as a replacement to the current Job Retention scheme (JRS), introduced in March 2020, which is due to end on 31st October. He also confirmed the extension of the Self-employed Income Support Scheme until April 2021.

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…

These regulations, as the title implies, apply to the period when claimants transfer from “legacy claims”, like Housing Benefit to Universal Credit and explain how Stop Notices are issued thereafter “excluding” the possibility of the reinstatement of laegacy awards, with only a few exceptions

Good morning

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…

Good morning

After a 6-8 week period of near chaos in the Social Security system, with a 70% increase in the number of receipients, £1.8M new claims, 700,000 Advance Payment requests, 10,000 DWP staff redeployed to the frontline, things look as if they’re finally calming down enough for a catch-up!

Good morning

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…