Information Library

Hi If you disagree with a decision made by the Department for Work and Pensions, you can either ask for more information, a revision or Mandatory Reconsideration (MR). DWP has produced a standard application form, which you can find here The advice that accompanies the form suggests: “You can ask for…

Good afternoon Over the past few weeks, I’ve been re-orgnanising & updating the website to reflect some of the major changes that have taken place in the past 6 months or so. If you examine the Universal Credit introductory tab http://www.universalcreditadvice.com/universal-credit, you’ll find, I’ve refreshed much of the information to relect…

Good afternoon Just before you break for the Easter holiday, you’ll be pleased to learn, that earlier today, Esther McVey, Work and Pensions Secretary of State, announced, government plans to amend Universal Credit regulations to restore entitlement to “housing costs” within Universal Credit for 18-21-year olds. This U-turn will undoubtedly…

Hi DWP provides advice to its decision makers in the following guide https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advice-for-decision-making-staff-guide The guide is similar in content to its predessessors, like Housing Benefit GM, although it’s still very much a work-in-progress. If you examine Chapters AI to A6 you’ll get a basis understanding of how the system is expected to…

Good afternoon One of my Housing Co-operative clients contacted me earlier today, seeking advice on whether DWP could impose a “Third Party”deduction, for rent arrears, at £63.56 (20%) of their tenant’s UC Standard Allowance, even though no request had been made by my client? The tenant had run up more…

Good morning I came across a Freedom of Information (FOI) request and response from DWP. The Q & A’s cover some of the most common questions I’m asked by website members, during our daily exchanges & training sessions and should be of interest to staff making Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) requests and…

Good afternoon In earlier bulletins, I’ve explained how to raise queries and make complaints to DWP, concerning Universal Credit administration processes, where problems of delays, mistakes or non-payment of Managed Payment to Landlords (MPTLs) or Third-Party Payments (TPPs – 4 weekly payments to reduce rent arrears) occur. Despite the withdrawal…

Good morning, and a happy and prosperous New Year to you. I’m delighted to start the New Year with a piece of good news for those of you who make use of the Alternative Payment Scheme (APA) to secure redirection of the tenant’s “housing costs”. DWP has just confirmed its…

Good afternoon DWP issued guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-universal-support-201819-guidance/universal-support-201819-guidance yesterday explaining how claimants can access support making and maintaining their Universal Credit entitlement. You won’t be surprised to hear most, if not all, of the available support will be provided by: a) Housing Associations b) Local Authorities c) CAB d) Credit Unions e)…

Good afternoon If you’re a PRS landlord, invested in properties occupied by tenants, reliant on Universal Credit, I’m sure you’re aware of the difficulties currently being experienced by landlords, GB wide, when attempting to secure redirection of the “Housing Element” of Universal Credit, due to tenant rent arrears or their inability…