Information Library

DWP has just issued a HB circular which provides a breakdown, council by council, of how much of a DWP allocation has been made, and secondly, how much the budget can be increased to with your local council’s support.

If you examine Annexe A you’ll see the…

The latest newsletter has now been published and is available via the link below.
HB Direct February Newsletter (pdf: 28kb)

The Welfare Reform Act 2012 – This Act contains provisions and confers regulation-making powers for an integrated working-age benefit to be called universal credit, which, depending on the claimant’s circumstances, will include a standard allowance (to cover basic living costs) along with additional elements for responsibility for children or young persons,…

Universal Credit regulations 2013 – set out the main rules for Universal Credit, including how to assess entitlement, Benefits Unit, elements of the award, Benefit Assessment Pariods, calculation of income and capital, and claimant responsibilities, and also allow for a benefit cap

These regulations provide for, amongst other things: How and when to make a claim for UC; Effective date of claim; Time within which a claim needs to be completed; Evidence required to support a claim; Payment arrangements, including payment to Third Parties (APAs etc); Withdrawal of claim; How and when…

Universal Credit transitional provisions regulations 2013 – provide for the limited introduction of Universal Credit from 29 April 2013 for certain claimants who will participate in the ‘Pathfinder’

Decisions and appeals regulations for Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance 2013 – update existing provisions on how decisions are made, including a new requirement for decisions to be reconsidered before claimants can appeal

Payments on account of benefit regulations 2013 – replace interim payments and some crisis loans with Universal Credit Advances and Short Term Benefit Advances and replace Budgeting Loans with Budgeting Advances

Employment and Support Allowance sanctions amendment regulations 2012 – align the Employment and Support Allowance sanctions regime with Universal Credit and introduce hardship payments prior to introduction of Universal Credit

Jobseeker’s Allowance sanctions amendment regulations 2012 – introduce a new sanctions regime for Jobseeker’s Allowance