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Benefit Changes Timetable
Changes Timetable
April 2026/27 Uprating
Lifting of the Two Child Limit
UC LCWRA Element
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UC Childcare Costs Changes
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What's Covered
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April 2026 LCWRA Changes
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Benefit Changes Timetable
Changes Timetable
April 2026/27 Uprating
Lifting of the Two Child Limit
UC LCWRA Element
Discretionary Housing Payments
HB for State Pension age claimants
UC Childcare Costs Changes
State Pension age
Universal Credit
How it Works
Introduction
Monthly Assessment Periods
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Conditionality
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Problem Areas
Wrongly advised to claim UC
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Child Element for new baby delays
Housing Costs Element wrong amount
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Deductions
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Age
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What is it?
Does everyone have to have one?
What does it include?
how to accept
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couples
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How Much Should be Paid?
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Switchback
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Northern Ireland
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Lost login details?
Change in Circs
Self-Employed?
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Deductions
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How Much
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Causing Hardship?
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Main Principles
From Landlord?
From Claimant?
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Recoverable?
What should the DWP do?
How Much?
Challenging Decisions
Due to retrospective verification?
Reviews
Targeted Case Reviews
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Payments - Problem Areas
Delays
Missing payment?
Underpayment?
Stopped?
Suspended
Terminated
Standard Letters
How Much
Lifting of the Two Child Limit
On UC already?
No current entitlement to UC
Key Facts
How Calculated
Elements/Needs
Standard Allowance
Child Element
Definitions
Change in Circs
No Child Benefit in payment
Two Child Limit
- Exceptions
Disabled Child Element
Limited Capability for Work/Related Activities Element
Moved on to UC from IR-ESA
On Old Style Contributory ESA
On New-Style ESA?
LCW Element
LCW: Single claimant
LCW: Couple claimant
LCW: Separated Couples
LCWRA Element
- Severe Conditions Criteria
- ‘Terminally ill’, end of life claimants
- Pre-2026 Claimant
+Missed their deadline?
+Has LCW - could have LCWRA?
+Could they claim NS-ESA?
+WCA decision in last 12 months?
+Previous reports of health condition ignored?
+NI Credits and backdated UC claim
- Couples
When From
Relevant Period
When does it start & end?
When doesn't it apply?
Previously on IR-ESA?
New claim for NS-ESA?
What if nil award unless LCW/LCWRA?
Treated as having a Limited Capability for Work
Limited Capability for Work and a Carer?
Housing Costs Element
Carer Element
Child Care Element
The work condition
The childcare costs condition
Acts as a refund
Upfront Costs
Time limit to report
How Much
How changes affect help with childcare
Transitional Element
Transitional SDP Element
Who Gets It?
- Who gets the Severe Disability Premium?
- Change in Circs in 1st MAP?
- Received Migration Notice?
Making the most of the rules
- Delaying the claim for UC
-- Separation
-- Moving home
-- Becoming liable for rent
Claiming UC early
How Much?
- Examples
- Separating Couples
- Becoming a couple
Changes from Feb 2024
Back Payments
Issues for Couples
Becoming entitled after claiming UC
Managed Migration Transitional Element
Who's entitled?
How does it work?
How Much?
- Total Legacy Amount
- Benefit Cap
- Indicative UC Amount
- Comparing the TLA with the IUCA
- Manual Calculation Sheet
- Still Worse off?
- What's going wrong?
- FAQs
Retrospective changes
Erosion
When would it be lost?
Mixed Age Couples
Income
What counts as income
Earnings
Earnings Limit?
On an Apprenticeship
Employed Earnings
What Counts?
SSP / SMP / SPP / SAP
Paid weekly, fortnightly or 4 weekly?
Two months wages paid in one MAP
Net Earnings
Verification/RTI
Lump Sum Payments
Advance of wages
Information for employers
Self-Employed Earnings
Income
Expenses
Losses
Start Up Period
Minimum Income Floor
Gainfully Self-Employed?
Monthly Assessments
Frequency of wages
Weekly wages
Fortnightly wages
4 weekly wages
Monthly wages
Wages paid early
Employer reported late
Case Law
Work Allowance
Fluctuating Earnings
Starting/Finishing Work
Surplus Earnings
Who's Affected?
How it works?
Examples
What should a claimant do?
Unearned income
Benefits
Retirement Pensions
Other Unearned Income
Notional Income
Assumed Income from Capital
Whose income counts?
Students
Problem Areas
Savings/Capital
Whose capital counts
Impact on Award
What counts
What's Disregarded
Ownership of capital
Property
Valuation
Income that counts as capital
Notional/Deprivation
Transitional Capital Disregard
Benefit Cap
How it works
Cap Limit
Who's Affected
Earnings rule
Grace Period
Making sure it's applied
Separating Couples
Claimed UC due to age waiver
Guardians
How calculated
Impact
Minimising Impact
Legal Challenges
Sanctions
Deductions
Maximising
Elements
Housing Costs
Timing
Standard Letters
Housing Costs
Problem Areas
50% Housing Costs
Non-Dep Deduction wrongly taken
No Housing Costs Element in award
Supported Housing
New baby
Service charges
Bedroom Tax Glitch
The Landlord Portal
Who cannot get help
What's Covered
Rent
Use and Occupation
Mesne Profits
Caravans, houseboats and tents
Homeowners
Service Charges
Size Criteria
- Who gets a bedroom?
- Special Groups
- Temporary Absences
- Bedroom Tax rules
- LHA rules
- April 2017 Changes
- Previously on HB?
Non-dependant Deductions
- What are they?
- When is no deduction made?
- How Much?
- Minimising Deductions
- Temporary Stay?
- Non-dep or Lodger?
- Students
- Non-Dep Change in Circs
- Temporary Absences
- Joint Tenants
- Non-Dep Couples
- Paying Board
Differences to HB
Supported Housing
Specified Accommodation
Temporary Accommodation
Intensive Housing Management
Sheltered Housing
In Rent Arrears?
Absent joint tenants
Liability
Treated as Liable
Treated as Not Liable
Mental Capacity
Occupation
Fleeing Violence
In Prison/Remand
In a Bail Hostel
Abroad
Hospital/Respite
Rehab
Decant/Repairs
Other Absence
Two Homes
Moving Home
How Much?
Social Housing
Definition
How Much?
Service Charges
- Category A
- Category B
- Category C
- Category D
- Ineligible Charges
- Intensive Housing Management
- Specialist equipment
- Excessive Charges
- Variable Service Charges
- Sinking Fund
- Problem Areas
- Disputes
Rent Free Weeks
53 week rent year
Bedroom Tax
- How It Works
-- Size Criteria
-- What is a Bedroom?
-- Couples
-- Access to child
-- Disabled Child
-- Carer
-- Foster Carer
-- Armed Forces Non-Dep
-- Student Non-Dep
-- Away From Home?
-- Two Child Limit
- How Much is Deducted?
- Excluded
-- Non-couple joint tenants
-- Sanctuary Scheme
- Death
- Minimising Impact
- When to Challenge
Size of Room
Use of Room
Couples
Disabled Adult?
Access to Child
Overnight Carer
DHPs
Student Non-Dep
Human Rights
- How to Challenge
- Case Law
- Differences to HB
Non-dependant Deductions
Temporary Accommodation
Unreasonably high rent
Proposed LHA 'Cap'
Rent Changes
Private Rented
How Much
LHA Rules
Under 35's
Market Rents
Non-dependant Deductions
Specified Accommodation
Definition
Moving In
Moving Out
Benefit Cap
Problems getting help with rent?
Two Homes
What about floating support?
Standard Letters
Temporary Accommodation
Definition
Moving In
Moving Out
Benefit Cap
Old rules
Lodgers
Joint Tenants
Homeowners / Shared Ownership
Homeowners
Service Charges
Mortgage / Secured Loan
Shared Ownership
Rent
Service Charges
Mortgage / Secured Loan
Discretionary Housing Payments
Council Tax Support
Standard Letters
Limited Capability for Work
April 2026 LCWRA Changes
Pre-2026 Claimants
New Amending Regs
Important Deadlines
Severe Conditions Criteria
‘Terminally ill’, end of life claimants
Couples
When would this protection be lost?
Missed their deadline?
Has LCW - could have LCWRA?
Could they claim NS-ESA?
WCA decision in last 12 months?
Previous reports of health condition ignored?
NI Credits and backdated UC claim
IR-ESA to UC
When should the claimant's ESA Work Capability Status transfer to UC?
- On ESA when claim UC
- NI Credits Only to UC
- IR-ESA ended when older member of couple turned State Pension age
- Gap between IR-ESA ending and UC starting
Missing LCW/RA Element?
Asked to provide fit notes / told must look for work
Challenging 'Found fit' decision
Trigger for WCA?
What is LCW / LCWRA
Who has LCW / LCWRA
Scored enough points / meets descriptor
Treated as having LCW/LCWRA
LCW
LCWRA
Terminal Illness
On New-Style ESA
Moved from IR-ESA to UC
NI Credits to UC
Reclaiming UC within 6 months
Getting LCW / LCWRA - The Process
Who Can/ Can't Have a Work Capability Assessment
Working?
Previously 'found fit'?
Issues for Mixed Age Couples
The medical assessment
Assessment Criteria
LCW
Scored 15 points or more
- Mobilising
- Standing and Sitting
- Reaching
- Picking Up and Moving or Transferring
- Manual Dexterity
- Making self understood
- Understanding communication
- Navigation and Maintaining Safety
- Evacuation of the bowel / bladder
- Consciousness during waking moments
- Learning Tasks
- Awareness of everyday hazards
- Initiating and completing personal action
- Coping with change
- Getting about
- Coping with social engagement
- Appropriateness of behaviour
Special Circumstances
Substantial Risk
LCWRA
Meeting one of the LCWRA descriptors
- Mobilising
- Transferring from one seated position to another
- Reaching
- Picking Up and Moving or Transferring
- Manual Dexterity
- Making self understood
- Understanding communication
- Evacuation of the bowel / bladder
- Learning tasks
- Awareness of hazard
- Initiating and completing personal action
- Coping with change
- Coping with social engagement
- Appropriateness of behaviour
- Conveying food / drink to the mouth
- Chewing / swallowing food / drink
Special Circumstances
Substantial Risk
Given a WCA decision
Found to have LCW
Found to have LCWRA
Found Fit / Not to have LCW
Review Assessment
Changes in Circumstances
Condition Worsened
Condition Improved
Starting Work
Reclaiming UC within 6 months
Prisoner
In hospital
Future Changes?
Useful Resources
Guide to completing the WCA50
Journal Entries and Standard Letters
Changes in Circs
Notification
What must be notified
Who is required to notify the change
How to notify
Time Limits
Civil penalty
Providing Supportive Evidence
Impact on UC award
The Basics
Monthly Assessment Periods
Beneficial changes
Relevant Benefit Awarded
Detrimental Changes
Closed Period Supersession
Impact on Transitional Protection
The Transitional Element
Erosion of the Transitional Element
Watch for errors
April Uprating
Addition of / Increase to HCE
Moving out of 'specified accommodation'?
Addition of LCWRA Element
Addition of Carer Element
Addition of Child Element
Addition of / Increase to Disabled Child Element
Increase to Standard Allowance
Human Rights Challenge
Loss of the Transitional Element
Couple to single
Single to Couple
UC award drops to nil / stops
Certain drops in earnings
Self-employed?
Transitional Element eroded to nil
Protection for Some Students
When would these other protections be lost?
Course finishes
Couple to single
Single to Couple
UC award drops to nil / stops
Certain drops in earnings
Self-employed?
Key age changes
Children / Young People
Claimant turning 25
Non-Dep turning 21
Claimant turning 35
State Pension Age
Single turning State Pension age
Couple: Turning State Pension age
Household Changes
Single to Couple
New partner on UC
New partner State Pension age
Couple to Single
New Baby
Death
Other Comings and Goings
Health Related Changes
Becoming sick
Subject to work search?
Short term health issue
Long term health issue
Could they now have a Limited Capability for Work?
Whilst working?
New-Style ESA
Going into Hospital
struggling with online system?
Got a WCA Decision
Caring Responsibilities
Regular and Substantial
Relevant Carer
Claimant Commitment
Carer Element
Getting it backdated
Impact on disabled person
Claim Carer's Allowance?
Temporary Absences
Going Abroad
Fleeing Domestic Abuse
Housing Costs Element
Couple Claim
Housing Related Changes
Moving Home
Moving to rented
Moving to non-rented
APA in place?
Awaiting adaptations?
In from hospital / care home
Moving to specified accommodation
Moving from specified accommodation
Moving to temporary accommodation
Moving from temporary accommodation
Differences to HB
LHA Changes
Rent Changes
Temporary Absence
Fleeing Violence
Work / Childcare Changes
Finishing Work
Starting Work
Starting Self-Employment
Wage Changes
Childcare Costs Changes
Changes in unearned income / savings
Savings/Capital
Change in law
April Uprating
Regulation Change
Caselaw Decisions
Anti-test Case Rules
Standard Letters
Challenging Decisions
Who can challenge
How to challenge
Notification of decision
Statement of Reasons
Subject Access Request
Mandatory Reconsideration
How, when and what
What happens next?
Taking it further
Problem areas
Difficulty getting a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice?
Couple Claims
Time Limits
Mandatory Reconsideration
Appeal
Appeals
Complaints
Maladministration
Judicial Review
Law and Guidance
UC Regulations
Guidance
Case Law
Immigration & Residency
Right to Reside
Settled & Pre-settled Status
EU Co-ordination Rules
NI Number Requirement
Habitual Residence
Temporary Absence
Claims
Work Related Requirements & Sanctions
Benefit Cap
Capital
Earnings
Unearned Income
Overpayments
Housing Related
Appeal Rights
How much
Child Elements
Childcare Element
LCW/LCWRA
Deductions
Transitional Protection
Students
Deposited Papers
NI Legislation
NI UC Guidance
Situation
Sick / Disability
Limited Capability for Work
Terminally Ill
Claimant
Dependent child
Non-dependant
In Hospital
Already on UC?
Making a new claim
Moving Out of Hospital
Transitional SDP Element
Getting PIP/ADP, DLA etc
Disabled Child
Complex Needs
Definition
What help?
How identified?
Problems?
Jobseekers
In work
Self-Employed
Carers
Families
Children
Having a baby
Disabled Child
Child care costs?
Foster Carers
Couples
Being treated as a couple?
Age Waiver
State Pension age and previously on Tax Credits
Mixed Age couples
What is a mixed age couple?
Do they have to claim UC?
Claiming UC because on IR-ESA and older member turning State Pension age
Mis-advised to claim UC?
Previously on Tax Credits
How much UC?
Standard Letters
Young People
On an Apprenticeship
Care Leavers
Students
Receiving Education
Qualifying young person
Non-Advanced Education
Advanced Education
Exam only students
What is Full-Time?
Open University Students
Compatibility with Work Requirements
Students That Can Claim
Disabled Students
Receiving Education
Does not have a LCW?
Not getting PIP, DLA/CDP, etc
Not classed as 'receiving education'
Student Parents
Part-time students
Transitional protection
Claiming as a Student
Conditionality
Student Income
How is it taken into account?
Advanced Education - England
Eligible for student loan?
Undergraduate loan
Postgraduate loan
Not eligible for student loan?
Examples
Non-Advanced Education - England
Examples
Advanced Education Wales
Eligible for student loan?
Undergraduate loan
Postgraduate loan
Not eligible for student loan?
Non-Advanced Education - Wales
Advanced Education Scotland
Eligible for student loan?
Undergraduate loan
Postgraduate loan
Not eligible for student loan?
Non-Advanced Education - Scotland
What if they can't claim UC?
Changes in Circs
On UC
Not on UC
Taking a break from studies
Dismissed or abandons
On Contributory Benefits?
What are the contributory benefits?
What's happening to JSA & ESA?
Making a claim for JSA or ESA
New-Style JSA
New-Style ESA
Claiming UC as well?
Old Style vs New Style
In Prison/Remand
Who counts as a 'prisoner'?
On UC when becomes 'prisoner'
Single
Couple
On release from prison
What if it's a dependent child that becomes a 'prisoner'?
What if it's a non-dependant that becomes a 'prisoner'?
Homeless / rough sleepers
Housing Benefit
Claims & Payments
Who Can Claim
What if getting / claimed UC?
Age
Prove Identity
Pay 'rent'
Live in property
Not excluded
Students
Care Leavers
Taken Advantage
Previously Owner
On Universal Credit
Income/Savings
Appointees
Shared Owner
Specified / Temporary accommodation
Immigration and Residence Rules
The Steps
Couples
Refused HB?
Not able to claim
Definitions
Mixed age couples
How to Claim
Getting it right
On Pension Credit
Log Claim Over Phone
Living in a Hostel?
Joint tenants
Couples
Couples on C-ESA
Providing Evidence
What's Required
▪️Proof of Identity/NIno
▪️Household
▪️Income
▪️Savings
▪️Rent
▪️Child Care Costs
Living in a Hostel?
Problems Providing
is it Reasonable?
Time Limits
Problems Providing
HB Lost it?
From DWP via CIS
Nil Income
Defective Claim?
Adverse Inference
Mental Capacity
Intention to claim
Date Entitlement Starts
Date of Claim
Need backdating?
The Rules
Claimed UC?
Time Limits
How to Request
Good Cause
What happens next
Refused?
Alternatives
Moving Home
Couples
On a Passport Benefit
Payments
How Quickly
Delays
Payments on Account
To Landlord
To Claimant
Not as Much as Expected?
HB Stopped
Why Stopped?
Single to Couple
Passport benefit sanctioned
Passport Benefit Ended
Failed to Provide Info
Failed to Respond to Intervention
Starting work
Non-Dep Deduction Applied
Not Living in Property
Savings Increase over £16,000
Death
EEA National loses R2R
Adverse Inference decision
Re-opening claim
Interventions
What info can a landlord get?
Being treated as a couple?
When not a couple
Couples treated as single claimants
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
Maximising Award
Rent Issues
Supported Housing
On Universal Credit?
Exempt Accommodation
Definition
- Housing Association
- Registered Charity
- Voluntary Organisation
- Non-Metropolitan County Council
- DWP Re-Settlement Grant
- Disguised Profit
Care, support or supervision
- ‘Provides’ – the Case Law
- Care, Support or Supervision – the Case Law
- How is the support paid for?
- Intensive Housing Management
Examples
Rent Restrictions
- Registered Housing Association
- Other landlords
- Subsidy Implications
- Pre 1996 Rules
- Challenging a rent restriction
FAQs
Tool Kit
Specified Accommodation
Definition
Moving in and out of Specified Accommodation
Problems when on UC
What about floating support?
Hostels
Temporary Accommodation
Definition
Moving in and out of Temporary Accommodation
Room for carer
Service Charge Issues
Rent Restrictions
Future Changes
Shared Owners
Liable for 'rent'
Definition of rent
Treated as Liable
Treated as Not Liable
Mental Capacity
Occupying
Moving In
Date HB Starts
HB Prior to Moving In
- Vulnerable Tenants
- From Hospital or Residential Care
- Awaiting Adaptations
Moving Out
HB for Notice Period
- Reason for move
- More Suitable Accommodation
- Moving to Care Home
- Staying in Hospital
- Going to Prison
- Fleeing Violence
- Getting it paid
- Claiming UC?
Former Tenant Arrears
Two Homes
Temporary Absence
Intention to Return
Length of Absence
'Live' HB Claim
Reason for Absence
- Prison/Remand
On Remand
Sentenced
Length of sentence
Bail & Bail Hostels
Temporary Release
Sent to hospital instead of prison
- Rehab
- Hospital/Medical Care
- Care Home
- Fleeing Violence
- Going Abroad
- Students
- Other Absences
HB Stopped?
Overpayments
Decants
Two Homes
Fleeing Violence
Moving Home
Large Families
Student Couples
How Much
On or claiming UC
Contrived tenancy
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
How Much
How Calculated
On Universal Credit
The 5 Steps
Rent and Maximum HB
Maximum HB Social Housing
Service Charges
- What the HB Regs say
- What's Eligible?
Is it really a service charge?
Fuel?
Garages etc?
Gardening?
Meals?
Water?
- What's Not?
- Intensive Housing Management?
- Specialist Equipment?
- Excessive Charges
- Variable Charges
Bedroom Tax
- How It Works
Size Criteria
What is a Bedroom?
Couples
Access to Child
Disabled Child
Carer
Foster Carer
Armed Forces Non-Dep
Student Non-Dep
Away From Home?
- How Much is Deducted?
- Excluded
Sanctuary Scheme
- Protected
Protection on Death
13 Week Protection
- Minimising Impact
- When to Challenge
Size of Room
Use of Room
Couples
Disabled Adult?
Overnight Carer
Human Rights
Background
Decisions already made
What grounds
Student Non-Dep
1996 Rules
- How to Challenge
Case Law
- Moving to UC?
Non-Dependant Deductions
- What are they?
Non-Dep or Lodger
- When no deduction?
- How Much?
- Non-dep's Situation
- Minimising Deduction
Temporary Stay
Temporary Absences
Elderly Non-dep
Elderly Claimant
Non-Dep Working
'Taking Advantage'
- Change in Circumstances
Turning 18/25
Moving In/Out
Starting/Finishing Work
Off Work Sick?
ESA/UC Sanction
In Hospital
Prison/Remand
- Highest deduction taken
- Can a DHP Help?
Joint Tenants
Rent Free Weeks
Tenant Incentive Scheme
Rent Restrictions
- Exempt Accommodation
- Rivendell case
- General Needs Housing
Maximum HB Private Rented
Local Housing Allowance
- How It Works
- Who's Affected?
- Who's Protected?
- Who Needs a Bedroom?
- Shared Accommodation Rate
- How Much
- How Paid
- Difficulties Paying
- Unlikely to Pay
Non-Dependant Deductions
Applicable Amount
How it works
Amounts
Personal Allowance
Child Allowance
Family Premium
Disabled Child Premium
Disability Premium
Work Related Activity Component
Support Component
Enhanced Disability Premium
Severe Disability Premium
Carers Premium
Missing a Premium?
Income
How it Works
Whose Income Counts?
Earnings
Getting UC and working?
What Counts?
Expenses
Overtime
Fluctuating Earnings
Arrears of Earnings
Finishing Work
Permitted Earnings
Earnings Disregards
Child Care Costs
LA RTI
Self-employed Earnings
Benefit Income
On Pension Credit
Guarantee Pension Credit
Savings Pension Credit
Other Income
Nil Income
Notional Income
Student Income
Lodgers
Savings / Capital
How It Works
What Counts as Capital?
What's Disregarded?
Personal Injury Payments
Property
Pension Pots
Spent/ Given Away
Notional
Trusts
Benefit Cap
How It Works
Who's Excluded
Guardians
Supported Housing
How Much Deducted
Changes in Circumstances
Minimising Impact
On UC?
Legal Challenges
Maximising Award
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
Changes in Circs
What happens - procedure?
Closed Period Supersession
Award of 'Qualifying Benefit'
Time Limits
Informing HB Office
Claimant Duty
Landlord Duty
How to Notify
On Pension Credit
Fraud
HB Suspended
What's Changed?
Moving Home
Working age claimants
- On Universal Credit
- On IR-ESA
- Other claimants
State Pension age claimants
- On Pension Credit
- Other claimants
Moving onto Universal Credit
Changes in Income
Ending Work
Starting Work
Extended Payment / Run-On
Household Changes
New Baby/Child
Key Birthdays
Comings and Goings
Death
Going Abroad
Rent Changes
Temporary absences
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
Overpayments
Reducing Impact on Rent Account
Claimed UC?
Is it an Overpayment?
Why Overpaid?
Change in Circs
Death
Moving Home
Errors in Rent
Tax Credits
Payments on Account
Official Error
Multiple Causes
How Much?
Correct Dates?
Underlying Entitlement
Moving Home
Diminishing Capital
Civil Penalty
Fraud Penalty
Is it Recoverable?
Who caused it?
Official Error
When Landlords Must Pay
'Old' Overpayments
Discretion Not to Recover
Notification Issues
Recovered From?
The Claimant
The Claimant's Partner
The Landlord
When?
Before You Repay
Repayment Agreement
Tenancy Termination
Abandonment
Errors in Rent
Changed Target?
Is it Rent Arrears?
How Can it be Recovered?
From Claimant
On-going HB Award
Arrears of HB Due
Claimant's Partner
Other Methods
Bankrupt or DRO
RSL / Private landlord
Invoice
Blameless Tenant
Council / ALMO Landlord
Moving Home
Notification
Who to Notify
What should be included
Inadequate Notification
When Should Recovery Start
Challenging Decisions
By Landlord
Right of Appeal?
What to Challenge?
Former Tenant
By Claimant
Time Limits
General Decisions
Fraud
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
Challenging Decisions
Who can challenge?
What to Challenge?
Challenging General Issues
Negotiate Instead
How to Challenge?
In Writing
Statement of Reasons
Burden of Proof
Using Case Law
No Decision Yet?
Revisions
Appeals
Official Errors
Time Limits
Judicial Review
Law and Guidance
Case Law
Claims and Payments
Exempt Accommodation
Rent Issues
How Much
- General
- Bedroom Tax
- Local Housing Allowance
- Rent Restrictions 'Old'
- Service Charges
- Household
Non-Dependants
Family Members
Applicable Amount
- Income
- Savings
Change in Circs
Overpayments
HB Stopped
Challenging HB
People From Abroad
Regulations
HB Circulars
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
HB Guidance
Standard Letters
Legacy
Wrongly Advised to Claim UC
Who is being wrongly advised to claim UC?
- Move within LA
- Tax Credits
- Mixed Age Couples
- Challenging an ESA found fit decision
- Moving into 'Specified Accommodation'
- Moving out of 'Specified Accommodation'
- Claiming New Style ESA or JSA
Why does it matter?
Ending a UC claim
Claiming Compensation
When would a move trigger a claim for UC?
Tax Credit Issues
New claim for TC
Change in TC award
Payment Periods
Arrears of Tax Credits
TC Reduced due to overpayment
Two Child Limit
Finishing work
Waiting for Tax Credits?
Moved from HB to UC
What happens
Two week HB Run-on
Getting back on HB
Gap between HB and UC?
HB Stopped
Becoming a couple
Working age to mixed age couple
Starting Work
Pension Credit
Claims and Payments
What is Pension Credit?
Who can claim?
Immigration and Residence Rules
The Steps
Couples
Refused PC?
Not able to claim
Definitions
Mixed Age Couples
How To Claim
Delays
Payments
Overpayments
Passported Benefits
How Much
Guarantee Credit
Savings Credit
The Appropriate Amount
The Standard Amount
Carer Addition
Child Additions
The Severe Disability Addition
Housing Costs Addition
Transitional Additional Amount
Income
Notional Income
Savings/Capital
Notional Capital
Pension Flexibilities
Situation
Working
In hospital
In a Care Home
In Prison
Homeless
Abroad
Changes Ahead
End to Tax Credits
Tax Credit Closure Notice
What's happening?
Protected Mixed Age Couples
Resources
Pension Credit age
Help with Rent
Useful Tools
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Benefit Finder
Legacy Benefits
Child Tax Credit
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Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance
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Who can claim?
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How Much?
Awards and Reviews
Keeping a claim going
Limited Capability
ESA50 Form
The Medical Review
WRAG v Support
Substantial Risk
Assessment Criteria
WRAG Criteria
Support Criteria
Terminal Illness
Working and ESA
Prisoners and ESA
Students and ESA
Sanctions
Sanctionable Offences
Sanctionable Period
How Much
Hardship Payments
Challenging Decision
Good Cause
Safeguarding procedure
Challenging Decisions
How to Challenge
Found Fit for Work
Failure to return/attend
WRAG vs Support
Sanctions
Case Law
Physical
Mental/Cognitive
Substantial Risk
General Issues
Income whilst challenging
If Found Fit
Failure to Attend/Return
Sanctions
Need to claim UC?
And Other Benefits
Help Pack / Letters
Income Support
Working Tax Credit
Severe Disability Premium
Sickness & Disability
Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Carers Allowance
Carer Support Payment (Scotland)
Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
Constant Attendance Allowance
'Credits Only' for LCW
DLA - adult
DLA - child
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
New-Style ESA
Who can claim?
How to Claim
Limited Capability
WCA50 Form
The Medical
WRAG v Support
Substantial Risk
Assessment Criteria
WRAG Criteria
Support Criteria
Terminal Illness
Awards and Reviews
Time limited
How Much?
Repeat Claims
Need to claim a top-up?
Working and ESA
ESA Sanctions
Sanctionable Offences
Sanctionable Period
How Much
Challenging Decision
Good Cause
Safeguarding procedure
Challenging Decisions
How to Challenge
Found Fit for Work
Failure to return/attend
WRAG vs Support
Income whilst challenging
Help Pack / Letters
'Old Style' Contributory ESA
Who could claim?
How Much?
Need a top-up?
NI Conditions
Prisoners and C-ESA
Transferred from IB or SDA
Previously on IB?
Difference between old-style and new-style ESA
And Other Benefits
Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland)
Personal Independence Payment
Who Can Claim
Age
Backwards and Forwards Test
Residence and Presence
Overlapping Benefits
The Disability Tests
Main Principles
Daily Living Component
Preparing food
Taking nutrition
Managing Therapy
Washing and bathing
Managing toilet needs or incontinence
Dressing and undressing
Communicating verbally
Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
Engaging with other people face to face
Making budgeting decisions
Mobility Component
Planning and following journeys
Moving around
Reliability
If the claimant drives...
Fluctuating Conditions
Terminally Ill
Proposed Changes
How To Claim
Step 1: Starting the claim
Step 2: The Form
Step 3: The Medical
Step 4: The Decision
How Much
Award Periods & Reviews
Changes in Circumstances
Condition Worsens
Condition Improves
Going into Hospital
Going into a Care Home
Going into Prison
Going Abroad
Starting Work
Challenging Decisions
Procedural issues
Added Extras
Impact On HB
Impact On UC
Other Benefits
Motability Scheme
For Carer
Other
On DLA
Transfer to PIP?
Timetable
Process
Impact
FAQs
PIP Case Law
Help Pack
Before You Start
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Standard Letters
Scottish Adult DLA
Short-term Assistance
Statutory Sick pay
Young Carer Grant (Scotland)
War Disablement Pension
Other Main Benefits
Bereavement Benefits
Bereavement Support Payment
Widowed Parents Allowance
Retrospective Claims
Retrospective Claims for WPA
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Child Related Benefits
Child Benefit
Guardians Allowance
Maternity / Paternity / Adoption Pay
Scottish Child Payment
Scottish Two Child Limit Payment
Special Guardianship Allowance
Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay
Council Tax Support/Reduction
England & Wales
Scotland
New-Style Jobseekers Allowance
Pension Credit
State Retirement Pension
JSA Sanctions
Preventions Checklist
Claimant Commitment
What is it?
What's Required
Ensuring its Realistic
'Find a Job'
Temporary Situation
Sanctionable Offences
Good Reason
How Much?
Sanction Periods
16 & 17 Year Olds
DWP Responsibilities
Hardship Payments
Challenging Sanctions
How to Challenge
Good Reason
Case Law
Impact on HB
Standard Letters
Universal Credit
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Blue Badge
Benefit Delays
Cost of Living
Council Tax Bills
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England Rules
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Scotland Rules
Northern Ireland Rules
Standard Letters
Flexible Support Fund
Local Welfare Schemes
Help for Homeowners
Universal Credit SMI
Who can get help
What Help Is Given?
Which Loans Count?
How Much help?
Standard Interest
Service Charges
Shared-Ownership
From When?
How to get it
How Long For?
Paying back the loan
Legacy Benefit SMI
Main Principles
Who cannot get help
Who can get help
Occupy the Home
Liable for Housing Costs
Which Benefits can Help?
How Much Help
Service & Other Charges
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Repairs and Improvements
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Qualifying Loans
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Interest Rate
Non-Dependants
Waiting Period
Does it have to be repaid?
Shared Equity / Ownership
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Recipes on a budget
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Change Supplier
National Concessionary Fuel Scheme
Tips For Using Less
Warm Home Discount
Winter Fuel Payment
Help with fuel in Scotland
Refunds for using medical equipment
Health Costs
Pregnancy
Tax
Telephone
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Arrears
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British/Irish Citizens
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EU Settlement Scheme
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Situation
Prison / Remand
What counts as being in prison / remand?
Claimant
Claimant's partner
Claimant's child
Going into Hospital
Claimant
Claimant's Partner
Claimant's Child
Person the claimant is caring for
FAQs
Going into a care home
Claimant
Claimant's Partner
Claimant's Child
Person the claimant is caring for
Death
Claimant
Claimant's Partner
Claimant's Child
Person the claimant is caring for
Outstanding benefit issues?
Child taken into care
Looking after another person's child
Shared Lives
Safeguarding
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Migrating onto Universal Credit
On Universal Credit
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Appointeeship
Ukrainian sponsor
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The Basics
What is a Mixed Age Couple
What's the issue?
Two set of HB Regs
MACs and the Bedroom Tax
Polygamous marriages
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Which MACs are 'protected'?
Having a change in circumstances
Moving Home
Taking responsibility for a child
Separation / loss of couple status
When is this 'protected' status lost?
Received a Migration Notice?
Getting IR-ESA or IS
Having a change in circumstances
Moving Home
Found fit for work
Taking responsibility for a child
Separation
Pensioner Premium
Moving onto UC?
Getting old-style C-ESA
Getting just HB
Getting Pension Credit
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Becoming a Mixed Age Couple
Ageing into a MAC
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Which benefits can a Mixed Age Couple claim?
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UC & Supported Housing
Students and UC
Universal Credit & EEA Nationals
EEA Nationals and UC - for Income Teams
Challenging Sanctions
Lost Job?
Managed Migration
Housing Benefit
Calculating HB
Introduction to HB
Reducing arrears through HB
HB Overpayments
HB for Older People
Disability Benefits
Disability Benefits Overview
ESA Overview
PIP Overview
Attendance Allowance
DLA for Children
Completing the WCA questionnaire
Maximising Income through Disability Benefits
PIP: Getting the right result
Appealing Work Capability (ESA & UC) and PIP decisions
Older People
Benefits for Older People
Pension Credit Overview
Mixed Age Couples
Advanced Mixed Age Couples
General
Intro to Welfare Benefits
Benefit Essentials when Moving Home
Housing Benefit
Legacy
Housing Benefit
/
Legacy
Claims & Payments
Who Can Claim
What if getting / claimed UC?
Age
Prove Identity
Pay 'rent'
Live in property
Not excluded
Students
Care Leavers
Taken Advantage
Previously Owner
On Universal Credit
Income/Savings
Appointees
Shared Owner
Specified / Temporary accommodation
Immigration and Residence Rules
The Steps
Couples
Refused HB?
Not able to claim
Definitions
Mixed age couples
How to Claim
Getting it right
On Pension Credit
Log Claim Over Phone
Living in a Hostel?
Joint tenants
Couples
Couples on C-ESA
Providing Evidence
What's Required
▪️Proof of Identity/NIno
▪️Household
▪️Income
▪️Savings
▪️Rent
▪️Child Care Costs
Living in a Hostel?
Problems Providing
is it Reasonable?
Time Limits
Problems Providing
HB Lost it?
From DWP via CIS
Nil Income
Defective Claim?
Adverse Inference
Mental Capacity
Intention to claim
Date Entitlement Starts
Date of Claim
Need backdating?
The Rules
Claimed UC?
Time Limits
How to Request
Good Cause
What happens next
Refused?
Alternatives
Moving Home
Couples
On a Passport Benefit
Payments
How Quickly
Delays
Payments on Account
To Landlord
To Claimant
Not as Much as Expected?
HB Stopped
Why Stopped?
Single to Couple
Passport benefit sanctioned
Passport Benefit Ended
Failed to Provide Info
Failed to Respond to Intervention
Starting work
Non-Dep Deduction Applied
Not Living in Property
Savings Increase over £16,000
Death
EEA National loses R2R
Adverse Inference decision
Re-opening claim
Interventions
What info can a landlord get?
Being treated as a couple?
When not a couple
Couples treated as single claimants
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
Maximising Award
Rent Issues
Supported Housing
On Universal Credit?
Exempt Accommodation
Definition
- Housing Association
- Registered Charity
- Voluntary Organisation
- Non-Metropolitan County Council
- DWP Re-Settlement Grant
- Disguised Profit
Care, support or supervision
- ‘Provides’ – the Case Law
- Care, Support or Supervision – the Case Law
- How is the support paid for?
- Intensive Housing Management
Examples
Rent Restrictions
- Registered Housing Association
- Other landlords
- Subsidy Implications
- Pre 1996 Rules
- Challenging a rent restriction
FAQs
Tool Kit
Specified Accommodation
Definition
Moving in and out of Specified Accommodation
Problems when on UC
What about floating support?
Hostels
Temporary Accommodation
Definition
Moving in and out of Temporary Accommodation
Room for carer
Service Charge Issues
Rent Restrictions
Future Changes
Shared Owners
Liable for 'rent'
Definition of rent
Treated as Liable
Treated as Not Liable
Mental Capacity
Occupying
Moving In
Date HB Starts
HB Prior to Moving In
- Vulnerable Tenants
- From Hospital or Residential Care
- Awaiting Adaptations
Moving Out
HB for Notice Period
- Reason for move
- More Suitable Accommodation
- Moving to Care Home
- Staying in Hospital
- Going to Prison
- Fleeing Violence
- Getting it paid
- Claiming UC?
Former Tenant Arrears
Two Homes
Temporary Absence
Intention to Return
Length of Absence
'Live' HB Claim
Reason for Absence
- Prison/Remand
On Remand
Sentenced
Length of sentence
Bail & Bail Hostels
Temporary Release
Sent to hospital instead of prison
- Rehab
- Hospital/Medical Care
- Care Home
- Fleeing Violence
- Going Abroad
- Students
- Other Absences
HB Stopped?
Overpayments
Decants
Two Homes
Fleeing Violence
Moving Home
Large Families
Student Couples
How Much
On or claiming UC
Contrived tenancy
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
How Much
How Calculated
On Universal Credit
The 5 Steps
Rent and Maximum HB
Maximum HB Social Housing
Service Charges
- What the HB Regs say
- What's Eligible?
Is it really a service charge?
Fuel?
Garages etc?
Gardening?
Meals?
Water?
- What's Not?
- Intensive Housing Management?
- Specialist Equipment?
- Excessive Charges
- Variable Charges
Bedroom Tax
- How It Works
Size Criteria
What is a Bedroom?
Couples
Access to Child
Disabled Child
Carer
Foster Carer
Armed Forces Non-Dep
Student Non-Dep
Away From Home?
- How Much is Deducted?
- Excluded
Sanctuary Scheme
- Protected
Protection on Death
13 Week Protection
- Minimising Impact
- When to Challenge
Size of Room
Use of Room
Couples
Disabled Adult?
Overnight Carer
Human Rights
Background
Decisions already made
What grounds
Student Non-Dep
1996 Rules
- How to Challenge
Case Law
- Moving to UC?
Non-Dependant Deductions
- What are they?
Non-Dep or Lodger
- When no deduction?
- How Much?
- Non-dep's Situation
- Minimising Deduction
Temporary Stay
Temporary Absences
Elderly Non-dep
Elderly Claimant
Non-Dep Working
'Taking Advantage'
- Change in Circumstances
Turning 18/25
Moving In/Out
Starting/Finishing Work
Off Work Sick?
ESA/UC Sanction
In Hospital
Prison/Remand
- Highest deduction taken
- Can a DHP Help?
Joint Tenants
Rent Free Weeks
Tenant Incentive Scheme
Rent Restrictions
- Exempt Accommodation
- Rivendell case
- General Needs Housing
Maximum HB Private Rented
Local Housing Allowance
- How It Works
- Who's Affected?
- Who's Protected?
- Who Needs a Bedroom?
- Shared Accommodation Rate
- How Much
- How Paid
- Difficulties Paying
- Unlikely to Pay
Non-Dependant Deductions
Applicable Amount
How it works
Amounts
Personal Allowance
Child Allowance
Family Premium
Disabled Child Premium
Disability Premium
Work Related Activity Component
Support Component
Enhanced Disability Premium
Severe Disability Premium
Carers Premium
Missing a Premium?
Income
How it Works
Whose Income Counts?
Earnings
Getting UC and working?
What Counts?
Expenses
Overtime
Fluctuating Earnings
Arrears of Earnings
Finishing Work
Permitted Earnings
Earnings Disregards
Child Care Costs
LA RTI
Self-employed Earnings
Benefit Income
On Pension Credit
Guarantee Pension Credit
Savings Pension Credit
Other Income
Nil Income
Notional Income
Student Income
Lodgers
Savings / Capital
How It Works
What Counts as Capital?
What's Disregarded?
Personal Injury Payments
Property
Pension Pots
Spent/ Given Away
Notional
Trusts
Benefit Cap
How It Works
Who's Excluded
Guardians
Supported Housing
How Much Deducted
Changes in Circumstances
Minimising Impact
On UC?
Legal Challenges
Maximising Award
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
Changes in Circs
What happens - procedure?
Closed Period Supersession
Award of 'Qualifying Benefit'
Time Limits
Informing HB Office
Claimant Duty
Landlord Duty
How to Notify
On Pension Credit
Fraud
HB Suspended
What's Changed?
Moving Home
Working age claimants
- On Universal Credit
- On IR-ESA
- Other claimants
State Pension age claimants
- On Pension Credit
- Other claimants
Moving onto Universal Credit
Changes in Income
Ending Work
Starting Work
Extended Payment / Run-On
Household Changes
New Baby/Child
Key Birthdays
Comings and Goings
Death
Going Abroad
Rent Changes
Temporary absences
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
Overpayments
Reducing Impact on Rent Account
Claimed UC?
Is it an Overpayment?
Why Overpaid?
Change in Circs
Death
Moving Home
Errors in Rent
Tax Credits
Payments on Account
Official Error
Multiple Causes
How Much?
Correct Dates?
Underlying Entitlement
Moving Home
Diminishing Capital
Civil Penalty
Fraud Penalty
Is it Recoverable?
Who caused it?
Official Error
When Landlords Must Pay
'Old' Overpayments
Discretion Not to Recover
Notification Issues
Recovered From?
The Claimant
The Claimant's Partner
The Landlord
When?
Before You Repay
Repayment Agreement
Tenancy Termination
Abandonment
Errors in Rent
Changed Target?
Is it Rent Arrears?
How Can it be Recovered?
From Claimant
On-going HB Award
Arrears of HB Due
Claimant's Partner
Other Methods
Bankrupt or DRO
RSL / Private landlord
Invoice
Blameless Tenant
Council / ALMO Landlord
Moving Home
Notification
Who to Notify
What should be included
Inadequate Notification
When Should Recovery Start
Challenging Decisions
By Landlord
Right of Appeal?
What to Challenge?
Former Tenant
By Claimant
Time Limits
General Decisions
Fraud
Case Law
Recent Queries
Standard Letters
Challenging Decisions
Who can challenge?
What to Challenge?
Challenging General Issues
Negotiate Instead
How to Challenge?
In Writing
Statement of Reasons
Burden of Proof
Using Case Law
No Decision Yet?
Revisions
Appeals
Official Errors
Time Limits
Judicial Review
Law and Guidance
Case Law
Claims and Payments
Exempt Accommodation
Rent Issues
How Much
- General
- Bedroom Tax
- Local Housing Allowance
- Rent Restrictions 'Old'
- Service Charges
- Household
Non-Dependants
Family Members
Applicable Amount
- Income
- Savings
Change in Circs
Overpayments
HB Stopped
Challenging HB
People From Abroad
Regulations
HB Circulars
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
HB Guidance
Standard Letters
Legacy
Wrongly Advised to Claim UC
Who is being wrongly advised to claim UC?
- Move within LA
- Tax Credits
- Mixed Age Couples
- Challenging an ESA found fit decision
- Moving into 'Specified Accommodation'
- Moving out of 'Specified Accommodation'
- Claiming New Style ESA or JSA
Why does it matter?
Ending a UC claim
Claiming Compensation
When would a move trigger a claim for UC?
Tax Credit Issues
New claim for TC
Change in TC award
Payment Periods
Arrears of Tax Credits
TC Reduced due to overpayment
Two Child Limit
Finishing work
Waiting for Tax Credits?
Moved from HB to UC
What happens
Two week HB Run-on
Getting back on HB
Gap between HB and UC?
HB Stopped
Becoming a couple
Working age to mixed age couple
Starting Work
Housing Benefit: Legacy
Housing Benefit - Legacy
We are working our way through the Housing Benefit section of the website and moving any information that related to the legacy benefit system that could still be useful here.