Information Library

Good morning

In an earlier bulletin, I highlighted the worrying practices of DWP’s recently created “Risk Review Team” (RRT). The team, reported to have 1400 staff, is currently sifting through awards made during COVID, when normal validation measures were suspended, and DWP’s flawed policy of “trust & protect” was…

Good morning

In one of my earlier bulletins, I explain how some single claimants, under 35, living in private sector accommodation, qualify for the 1-bed rate of Local Housing Allowance (LHA).

With effect from 1st October 2022 the list of exemptions from the Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR) has been…

Upper-Tier Caselaw

New Upper Tribunal decision (1 August 2022): UA-2021-000580-JR & UA 2022-000464-JR – Upper Tribunal holds that the DWP is entitled to withhold payment of universal credit until a national insurance number has been allocated >> More universal credit case law

New Upper Tribunal decision (5 May 2022): View Article

Good morning

Recently a tribunal of Upper-tier Judges ruled in a case, where the claimant, a young man (AM), suffering from autism, appealed DWP’s decision refusing his “backdated” request for Universal Credit which he made weeks after submitting his claim.

It has to be said, the ability to…

Good afternoon

Our 16th May bulletin explained how DWP had resumed its programme of moving “legacy benefit” recipients onto Universal Credit. Starting, firstly in Harrow and Bolton areas, it planned to develop further afield, in expectation, the migration process, of the remaining 2.6 million claimants, would complete by December…

Good morning

Historically, non-dependant deductions, relating to Housing Benefit, were recognised as one of the most common reasons for rent arrears, and especially difficult to grapple with, where the non-dep was working more than 16 hours per week, attracting deductions that either substantially reduced or wiped out the HB award.…

Good morning

In an earlier bulletin (January 21), I answered one of the most common questions I’m asked – can DWP award UC before the date of the tenant’s actual claim?

The answer is – YES – but, only in limited and prescribed situations.

I explained, using an actual case, how Ms…

Good morning

In recent months, I’ve been contacted by a few PRS landlords. Each was encountering difficulties with DWP, in relation to existing Direct Payments, following either a change of bank or account details, with their current bank (e.g., move to limited company). As required, each notified DWP, anticipating its…

Good afternoon

Following fierce criticism, from Parliamentary Committees, the National Audit Office, amongst others, DWP introduced a “Risk Review” team (RRT) to re-examine UC awards, made during COVID, to establish whether the award was appropriately made or not and, partly because of doing so, overpayments, during 2020/21, amounted to £6…

Good morning

In response to a number of members’ enquiries, about Managed Migration and Transitional Payments, I can confirm, I do plan to deliver some training, covering this most complicated part of the process, but not until later this autumn, by which time, DWP should have published details of its…