Information Library

Good morning In my one of my last bulletins – “Challenging & Appealing poor decisions” http://universalcreditadvice.com/housing-associations/2018/04/universal-credit—challenging-appealing-poor-decisions I referred to the fact, I had discovered, through the casework queries, I receive from clients, DWP was wrongly applying deductions to Universal Credit awards through, what DWP refers to as “Housing Costs Contributions”, which under…

Good morning Some of you may already be aware , but from the 11th of April 2018 two significant changes took place, in relation to Housing Benefit (LHA) and Universal Credit. Both beneficial, for a change! Two week run-on! Firstly, there’s now a Housing Benefit “bonus” of an additional 2…

DWP has produced a chapter in its Advice to Decision Makers Guidance which relates to the question of UC Overpayments & Recoverability. You can find the guidance here. It is designed to provide an overview to staff, regarding overpayment & recovery policy. Its contents is also intended for external advisors,…

Good morning As predicted, transitioning to “Full Service” delivery is throwing up, every day, more and more, examples of poor decision-making and inadequate IT system functionality, potentially causing tenants to lose out, on an increasing range of fronts, especially in relation to the “housing costs element” (HCE). As DWP increases…

Good morning Any tenant or landlord wishing to appeal against a decision made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about social security benefits, including Universal Credit should use the standard form here Further guidance to help you fill in this form is available in booklet SSCS1A ‘How to…

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…