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Universal Credit - Payments to Household

As I expected, my bulletins tend to produce queries on a number of fronts. One question which has arisen on a few occasions is: “How will we be able to pursue the tenant’s son or daughter if the “household” payment is made to them?” The question is based on a…

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Council Tax - Void period charges

Below you’ll find an exchange of e-mails involving Council Tax which you may find of interest. Many English and Welsh councils anxious to raise new revenue streams have been sending out letters to RSLs suggesting they should be billed for council tax liability during tenancy void periods. A number of…

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Bedroom Tax - Legal challenge proceeds for disabled tenants

Disabled tenants to fight bedroom tax in the High Court A number of disabled tenants have been granted a judicial review hearing of the Government’s decision to cut housing benefits to people considered to be under-occupying. The tenants in question are being represented by Leigh Day, Solicitors who have lodged…

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Q & A - Rent Arrears trigger for UC?

I received an e-mail from one of my clients this morning seeking some advice on two issues which were troubling her. The Q & A I’m sure will be of interest to you as well so she very kindly allowed me to share this with you. Questions Morning Bill I…

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Bedroom Tax – “First Blood” to Sheffield Law Centre

Only days after its introduction we’re already seeing evidence of how Council decisions, in relation to the under-occupation sanctions (bedroom tax), can be successfully challenged when the facts, caselaw and arguments are presented in persuasive fashion to council Housing Benefit managers. You can read the story here: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/charity-wins-appeal-over-bedroom-tax-for-sheffield-family-1-5564992 In this…

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DWP Updated Briefing Notes

The DWP have recently published a “Toolkit” which incorporates a series of recently updated briefing notes.  These notes are each individually accessed by links on the DWP Toolkit Page….

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Bedroom Tax - Housing Benefit amendments

Following the Secretary of State’s announcement on 12 March 2013 the Government has laid amending regulations to clarify the size criteria rules for two specific groups of Housing Benefit (HB) claimants: approved foster carers and parents of armed forces personnel. The amendments now make provision for a room to be…

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DWP heavily criticised on its WR agenda by Public Accounts Committee

The Public Accounts Committee yesterday published its latest report focused on how the changes to Housing Benefit and Universal Credit are likely to impact on tenants and landlords. Read the report: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmpubacc/814/81402.htm Its Chair, Margaret Hodge doesn’t mince her words (see below). “The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, Chair of…

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Universal Credit - Making a claim from April 2013

The DWP has just recently published “Making your Universal Claim (UC) from April 2013” http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/making-your-universal-credit-claim-toolkit.pdf. The leaflet heralds the introduction of Universal Credit “Pathfinders” from April but only applies if you live in Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Warrington and Wigan. Even in those districts, only a selected few people (1500 per month)…

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