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DWP responds to APA related questions in FOI request!

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…

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DWP issues

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)…

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DWP's APA and Complaints Processes are failing landlords!

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…

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Universal Credit - 2-week Housing Benefit bonus explained!

Good morning My recent bulletin http://universalcreditadvice.com/housing-associations/2018/02/universal-credit—2-week-payment-run-on-of-hblha-and-related-changes alerted you to, amongst other things, the introduction of a Housing Benefit “bonus”, in the form of an additional 2-week run-on of HB/LHA, for tenants transitioning to Universal Credit Full Service. The payment is designed to help the tenant mitigate the wait until the…

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Universal Credit - Overpayment recovery from Landlord

Good afternoon A number of our clients have been receiving letters & invoices from DWP Debt Management, demanding repayment of Universal Credit overpayments, sometimes involving large sums. In one case, the letter stated: “You were overpaid Universal Credit for the period 2nd November 2017 to 8th January 2018. You now…

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Housing Benefit & Universal Credit - Temporary Absence

Good morning As well as providing website services www.ucadvice.co.uk ; regular updating bulletins on Universal Credit & Housing Benefit; training for staff and Board/Committee Members, in relation to Universal Credit and wider welfare reforms; we are regularly engaged by our landlord clients to assist them and their tenants, in disputes with councils,…

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Universal Credit - 2-week payment run-on of HB/LHA and related changes!

Good afternoon The Government has recently published – “The Universal Credit (Miscellaneous Amendments, Savings and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2018 – SI 65/2018”. The Statutory Instrument amends various pieces of Universal Credit legislation and interactions with other state benefits, including Housing Benefit. The main purpose of the legislation is to implement…

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