21st December 2017: Some Local Housing Allowance Broad Market Rental areas to receive a 3% increase from April 2018. Legislation here (HB England) and here (HB Scotland) and here (Universal Credit).

21st December 2017: Various amendments to Council Tax Reduction Scheme regulations published.

20th December 2017: DWP confirms that UC payments due on 23, 24, 25 & 26 December will be paid no later than 22 December; and payments due on 30, 31 December & 1 January will receive payment no later than 29 December.

15th December 2017:  DWP confirm that they are contacting in the region of 75,000 ESA claimants who may have been underpaid ESA after being transferred / converted over to ESA from Incapacity Benefit.  Many claimants were moved on to contribution based ESA only and therefore missed out on any premiums that might have been payable within Income Related ESA.  David Gauke's statement is here

15th December 2017:  The Scottish government confirm that all UC claimants in Scotland will qualify for flexible payments from 31st January 2018 i.e. twice monthly payments to claimant and direct payments to landlord, little or no questions asked.  Click here for the regs.

15th December 2017:  Urgent bulletin HB U4/2017 circulated today advising LA's HB departments that new claimants of Live Service / Gateway UC from 1st of January will be re-directed to legacy benefits i.e. Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance.  Claimants can terminate their UC and will be able to claim HB 'straight away' (unless they come under the '6 month rule'.  We await the regulations on this.  

29th November 2017:  All Universal Credit main telephone numbers free of charge as from today. 

The main UC freephone numbers include 0800 328 9344 (live service) and 0800 328 5644 (full service) - anyone ringing the old numbers will hear a message informing them of the new number to call.  More information here.  David Gauke, Secretary of State for the DWP has promised that freephone numbers for other DWP benefits and services are set to follow, with all numbers switched over by the end of 2017

22nd November 2017: Philip Hammond announces changes to Universal Credit - to remove the seven day waiting period applied at the beginning of a benefit claim so that entitlement to Universal Credit will start on the day of the claim - with effect from February 2018; to make it possible to apply for an advance online- and receive it within 5 days, with a repayment period of up to 12 months;
and for an amount of up to 100% of the anticipated UC award (instead of 50%) - with effect from January 2018. (Those who received 50% in December will be entitled to request he additional 50% from January 2018); and for new Universal Credit claimant in receipt of Housing Benefit, to allow a "run-on" of Housing Benefit for 2 weeks - with effect from April 2018.
The UC full service roll-out will be slowed down between Feb and April 2018 so that full roll out will not be achieved until December 2018.
More - with updates - on this page.

18th November 2017: NAWRA (National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers) are seeking Universal Credit cases that could be taken to Judicial Review:
1. Claimants who are naturally migrating from ESA - failure to pay the LCW/LCWRA element straight away
2. The application of waiting days when shouldn't be applied as claimant was on legacy benefits before migrating
3. Submission of a DS1500 by a third party - refusal to accept without explicit consent
4. Working disabled people moving from WTC to UC and losing money due to loss of disabled worker element
5. Self-employed people losing out because of irregular income meaning they get less UC than an employed person earning a similar amount, or other self-employed people losing out under UC.

If you have a client who is affected and would consider taking part in a legal challenge please email daphne@nawra.org.uk

17th November 2017: House of Commons agree a backbench motion to reduce the 6 week wait for a first universal credit payment to one month. This isn't binding on the government though. Hansard debate.

17th November 2017: Free School Meals consultation document plans that eligibility will next year be for children from households with an income of up to £7,400 a year, excluding benefits, which is the equivalent to £18,000 to £24,000 a year including benefits More here

13th November 2017:  First 50 tranche of Trusted Partner / Landlord Portal landlords - more here.

9th November:  UC roll out in Northern Ireland:  Click here for when UC will be rolled out in your area; postcodes/towns affected are, 15 November, Ballymoney and 13 December 2017 Magherafelt and Coleraine.

3rd November 2017:  The Government announce changes to Funeral Payments.  Changes include allowing recipients of a Funeral Payment to receive contributions from relatives, friends or charities without it being deducted from the payment, extending the claim period from 3 to 6 months from the date of the funeral and allowing applicants to submit evidence electronically to speed up the processing of claims and get decisions to claimants sooner introducing a shorter application form for children’s funerals.  More on the Social Fund, here, on our website and the consultation response can be found here.

31st October 2017: Published today - "Funding Supported Housing - Policy Statement and Consultation" - 3 main groups of funding -
1) A ‘Sheltered Rent’ – for those in sheltered and extra care housing (including working age)from 2020, funded through welfare system, but with the social housing regulator of the Homes and Communities Agency using existing powers to regulate gross eligible rent. (Consultation seeking reviews on the appropriate rent level).
2.) Local Grant Fund – from 2020, for short-term and transitional supported housing (including homeless with support needs, fleeing domestic abuse, drug and alcohol misuse, offenders, young people at risk. Commissioned locally using a new "local planning and oversight regime" and funded by Local Authorities through a ring fenced grant. Removes short term support costs from the welfare system.
3.) Welfare System (Housing Benefit/Universal Credit) – for long-term supported housing – including learning disabilities, mental ill health, physical disabilities, and "highly specialised supported housing". 100% of housing costs (rent inclusive of eligible service charges) will continue to be funded through the welfare system & subject to existing rules.

"The Government will work with the sector to develop and deliver improvements to cost control, quality and outcomes."

27th October 2017:  An update on the reforms of the Courts and Tribunals service announced today, with an emphasis on 'online routes to justice'.  The update advises that "In tribunals, people appealing social security and child benefit decisions will be able to make their application fully online, track the progress of their case by text, email or online, and, if judged appropriate, take part either in a virtual hearing, or in an online hearing with the judge able to ask questions through rapid messaging, allowing much faster decision-making in a system where delays can bring real hardship".  More detail to follow in the months ahead.

26th October 2017:  The Prime Minister also announces, in a major policy change, that the LHA cap will not be applied to supported housing or the social rented sector as a whole.  More detail is to follow but Mrs May stated yesterday that "I can say today that . . .we will not be applying the local housing allowance cap to supported housing; indeed, we will not be implementing it in the wider social rented sector. The full details will be made available when we publish our response to the consultation.'

26th October 2017:  The Prime Minister announces that the government will publish its future model to support and sustain supported housing on Tuesday the 31st of October.  A statement on gov.uk can be found here and we will publish more on our website when we have it.  Prime Minister May announced yesterday that "we need to ensure that the funding model is right so that all providers of supported housing can access funding effectively. We need to look at issues such as the recent significant increases in service charges, making sure that we are looking at cost control in the sector."

25th October 2017:  The Rent to own provider, BrightHouse has been told to pay back £14.8 million pounds to nearly 250,000 customers for lending that was not affordable and for payments that should have been refunded.  Customers are advised that they do not need to take action as BrightHouse will write to all affected customers to explain the refund or balance adjustment they will receive.  More here.

25th October 2017:  DMG Memo 21/17 issued - on ESA and Qualifying Young Persons participating in Relevant Training Schemes.  It is a condition of entitlement to ESA(IR) that a claimant is not receiving education. A claimant who is participating in approved training will be treated as in education - and therefore not entitled to ESA(IR). These Regs insert a new definition of what a Traineeship is and ensure that participating in such a scheme does not prevent a claim to ESA(IR) by virtue of the rules relating to receiving education.

18th October 2017: The government announce that Universal Credit customer telephone lines will be the first to become Freephone in November, with remaining DWP customer phone lines becoming free by the end of the year.  More details will emerge on our website once we get the detail.

9th October 2017: Letter from Neil Couling to Local Authorities, on the impact of Full service UC on arrears, following recent concerns.

5th October 2017:  The Scottish government announce 'Delivery of UC choices for people living in Scotland' - new guidance announced on "Scottish Flexibilities" of payment i.e. a claimant will be able to chose to receive payments twice monthly and housing costs straight to the landlord.  Details can be found here.

4th October 2017:  David Gauke announces a planned overhaul of the Universal Credit advance payment system, promising that "anyone who needs an advance payment will be offered it up-front. Claimants who want an advance payment will not have to wait six weeks. They will receive this advance within 5 working days."  More here.  We await the guidance.

And more on advance payments of Universal Credit here.

3rd October 2017:  David Gauke announces at the Conservative party conference that the digital roll out of Universal Credit will continue as planned, dispelling rumours that there could be a pause.  He announced that "Universal Credit is working. So I can confirm that the rollout will continue, and to the planned timetable. We’re not going to rush things."  Full extract of his conference speech can be found here.

2nd October 2017: Government consultation on draft regulations for proposed "Help to Save" scheme whereby UC and WTC claimants can save into a NS&I account and receive a 50% savings top-up (after 2 years'saving) on up to £50 a month savings. Consultation responses welcomed from anyone working with UC or WTC claimants and money advisers, amongst others, deadline October 27th 2017. More info here; technical consultation here

29th September 2017:  The DWP announce that from September 29th 2017, Employment and Support Allowance claimants who have limited capability for work related activity (in the support group) and who have a severe, life long disability, illness or health condition and are unlikely ever to be able to move into work should not have to face reassessment on passing their Work Capability Assessment.  The DWP policy paper can be found here.

29th September 2017:  The DWP announce extended vulnerability criteria for immediate access to hardship payments in DMG Memo 18/17.  Those with long term mental health problems or any disorder or disability of the mind or a learning disability or cognitive impairment and those who are homeless - with no accommodation available for their legal occupation should be able to access as soon as their sanction is imposed.

20th September 2017:  The Work and Pensions Select Committee are asking for written submissions from stakeholders on the DWP's readiness and preparedness for the scheduled acceleration of digital Universal Credit from this Autumn.  The deadline for submissions is 13th October 2017 and more details on the scope of the inquiry can be found here.

20th September 2017:  The Scottish government announce a £300m fund to help young carers.  The measures include a Young Carer Grant, awarded to 16 to 18 year olds who provide 16 or more hours of care per week to a disabled person but who do not qualify for Carer's Allowance.  More here on gov.scot.

19th September - 2017(UKUT) 347 (AAC) - DWP withdraw appeal, conceding where earnings reported by HMRC or employer in "wrong" monthly assessment period, DWP can & should allocate them to the MAP in which the claimant was paid them. More here.

15th September 2017: Expansion of Trusted Partner Pilot and Landlord Portal announced - here.

1st September 2017:  Replacement for Support for Mortgage Interest with a new loans scheme to be introduced in Northern Ireland - click here for the regs.  The NI government has also provided for the removal of the limited capability for work component in Universal Credit for new claims and changes for single parent UC claims - in line with the rest of the UK.

25th August 2017: A recent FOI response (3176) confirmed that for explicit consent, if a specific individual representative cannot be named then the team name or job role within the organisation can be given instead. More here.

9th August 2017:  Two test cases SG v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Appeal CE/766/2016) and R (CJ) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (JR/3861/2016) against the DWP were successful this week.  In both cases it was determined that each claimant had their right to appeal to an independent tribunal taken away due to being refused late mandatory reconsideration (no MR = no appeal).  More on our website to follow . .

9th August 2017:  The Scottish Government announce a 10 point plan to combat funeral poverty with policies to help those who struggle to afford a funeral for their loved ones - announcements include a new Funeral Expense Assistance benefit, by summer 2019.  More here.

25th July 2017:  The LGA report that the cost of temporary accommodation for homeless families has tripled in recent years.  Over 120,000 children are currently living in temporary accommodation, a 10% rise on the previous year.  More here.

21st July 2017:  Joseph Rowntree report states that on average 100 families per week are being evicted from their homes.  Rowntree go on to report that 4 out of 5 evictions using section 21 are in London, and that two thirds of evictions overall are occurring in the capital.  Their report can be accessed here.

19th July 2017:  The state pension age has been increased to 68 from 2037.  This will affect those born between 6th April 1970 and the 5th April 1978.  Check your state pension age on Gov.uk, here!

18th July 2017: The government have announced immediate help will be available for Jobseekers who have a mental health problem, or who are homeless, and whose benefits have been sanctioned.  Regulations, which come into effect in October 2017, provide for a safety net and immediate access to hardship payments for such claimants.  More on gov.uk here (including a statement from Damian Hinds).

17th July 2017:  HB Bulletin G7/2017 released today, aiming to provide clarity as to which families can claim UC in a digital UC area.  There has clearly been some confusion on this issue and the DWP state ‘Some claimants are being misdirected to claim the wrong benefit depending upon their personal circumstances. This misdirection results in claimants being sent from universal credit to tax credits and housing benefit and, often, back again; resulting in financial difficulties.’  The government hope that G7/2017 provides some clarity.

11th July 2017:  New regulations providing for the removal of automatic housing costs for 18-21 year olds in Northern Ireland found here.  Much more on this policy can be found on our website, here.

10th July 2017: Changes to Support for Mortgage Interest Scheme confirmed in new regulations.  From 6th April 2018, SMI will be replaced by new Loan Scheme, as per Loans for Mortgage Interest Regulations 2017.  An explanatory memorandum to the regulations can be found here and there's more on our Help for Homeowners pages here.

7th July 2017:  CPIP/387/2017 - New PIP case law on whether the precautionary use of incontinence pads can satisfy regulation 7 and the '50% of days' test.  More on our website here!

6th July 2017:  DWP analysis shows that 73% of local authorities underspent their DHP allocation in 2016/2017 and that 20% of the funding available to local authorities to spend on mitigating the effects of the benefit cap was spent elsewhere.

30th June 2017: New gov.uk youtube video on Full Service (Digital) Universal Credit.

30th June 2017:  The Scottish Government have announced that, for new claims made on or after the 4th October 2017, Universal Credit claimants will be able to have flexible/twice monthly payments and direct payment of the Housing Costs Element straight to their landlord if they make a request for them. The DWP will only be able to refuse if they consider the request unreasonable.  This affects claimants in digital areas only.  The relevant amendments to the The Universal Credit (Claims and Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 can be found here.

29th June 2017:  The Government announce, as part of their deal with the DUP, that the Pensions 'Triple Lock' is to stay, as are universal payments of the Winter Fuel Payment.  Government statement on this can be found here.

27th June 2017: The government has set out its proposals on post-Brexit rights for EU citizens living within the United Kingdom.  Proposals include - EU citizens with settled status continuing to have access to UK benefits on the same basis as a comparable UK national under domestic law; and EU citizens arriving before a specified date (no earlier than 29 March 2017 and no later than the date of the UK's withdrawal from the EU) who do not have five years’ residence at the time of the UK’s exit but who remain legally in the UK on a pathway to settled status will continue to be able to access the same benefits that they can access now (broadly, equal access for workers/the self-employed and limited access for those not working).   Official proposals can be found here.

23 June 2017:  HB bulletin U3/2017 - with regard the former residents of Grenfell Tower.  U3/2017 confirms that following the Grenfell Tower fire on 13 June 2017, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea area, applications may be received from former residents for assistance towards rent in advance, deposits and other lump sums associated with a housing need such as removal costs or, indeed, the cost of temporary accommodation.   However, the benefit cap will continue to apply and former tenants will need to apply for a DHP where appropriate.

22 June 2017:  In response to the High Court ruling, the DWP have released guidance U2/2017, in which they hint that they will appeal the decision, and advise that, as the legislation has not changed, Housing Benefit departments should continue to apply the cap to lone parents of children aged under 2. 

21 June 2017:  The High Court has found that applying the Benefit Cap reduction to lone parents with children aged under 2 to be unlawful.  In his decision made today, Mr Justice Collins found the application of the Benefit Cap to cases such as these as causing 'real misery to no good purpose'.  A statement by Doughty Street Chambers can be found here.

21st June 2017:  The Social Security (Scotland) Bill has been introduced, devolving much more power to the Scottish Government over matters of Social Security.  The Bill sets out an over-arching legislative framework for the administration of social security in Scotland, making provision for operational functions such as overpayments, fraud, error, re-determinations and appeals.  Holyrood now has power over 11 of the Social Security benefits including PIP, DLA and Carer's Allowance.

20th June 2017:  Further roll out of Universal Credit confirmed in ADM memo 18/17 - digital/full UC service being rolled out to more parts of the country including areas of South Yorkshire, the Scottish Highlands and the West Midlands.

19th June 2017:  G6/2017 published on gov.uk - HB Bulletin, providing more detail on Real Time Information systems, and Employment and Support Allowance regulations (due into force on 23rd June 2017, which provide an additional earnings disregard where the claimant, or their partner, is in remunerative work of at least 16 hours per week and the person who is working meets the conditions to be awarded either a disability premium, the support component of ESA or the work related activity group).

14th June 2017: 34,000 claims for Universal Credit registered in the month to 11th of May 2017, the lowest number of claims recorded in a month since June 2016.  Full report from the DWP can be found here.  The total number of UC claims now stands at 530,000.

13th June 2017:  Following the General Election last week, the government have announced a new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Gauke, who was previously Chief Secretary to the Treasury.   

13th June 2017:  And following David Gauke's appointment, the government have announced a new Housing and Planning Minister (the 6th in 7 years) - Alok Sharma, formerly of the foreign office.

11th June 2017:  86% of ESA decisions at mandatory reconsideration stage are unsuccessful (in the period December 2016 to April 2017).  New DWP statistics show that 7% of mandatory reconsideration requests were in the claimant's favour and that, at tribunal stage, 62% of decisions on an ESA claim were favourable to the claimant.  More information found here in gov.uk.

9th June 2017:  The Scottish government announces interim extension of Scottish Welfare Fund to help those 18-21 year olds affected by the cuts to Universal Credit Housing Costs Element from April 2017.  Letter from Scottish Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman outlining the issues found here.

6th June 2017:  The Scottish government have introduced a Universal Credit earnings threshold for free school lunches (and provision for early learning and Childcare in Scotland).  From 1st August 2017, a claimant who earns over £610 a month in the monthly assessment period immediately prior to the month of claim will not be eligible.  The legislation can be found here.

31st May 2017: Scottish government announces it will implement a higher level of Carers Allowance (to be paid at the same rate as Jobseekers Allowance)from summer 2017, plus a Best Start Grant (replacement to Sure Start Maternity Grant) and a Funeral Expense Payment. Article from Scottish Housing News here.

25th May 2017: Scottish Ombudsman decides HB Offices should be notifying claimants in writing when they make a decision to suspend their benefit - click here for the decision.

19th May 2017:  The interest rate used in calculating Support for Mortgage Interest is to reduce from 18th June 2017 from 3.12% to 2.61% - reflecting the reduction in the Bank of England's measure of household mortgage rates.  More on this here on gov.uk.

17th May 2017:  DWP confirm that, for the first time, there are now over 500,000 UC claimants nationwide - DWP report on Universal Credit stats from April 2016 to April 2017 found here.

16th May 2017:  DMG 13/17 and ADM 16/17 released by the DWP to give guidance on ESA and "further evidence of Limited Capability for Work".  The DWP have released this guidance in light of an Upper Tribunal Judicial Review decision about whether the current WCA process discriminates against ESA claimants with a mental health condition.  The DWP have advised that there should now be an additional requirement for Health Care Professionals to consider requesting further evidence 'when it would be helpful to the assessing HCP or the Decision Maker'.

15th May 2017:  Latest areas to be affected by the roll out of digital UC - May to July 2017 - announced and confirmed by the DWP in guidance ADM memo 15/17.

 5th May 2017:  Latest Benefit Cap figures show that the number of families affected has risen by 230% since 7 November 2016.  The statistics, found here in the gov.uk website, show the majority of households affected are single parent households which include a child under the age of 5.

2nd May 2017:  DWP issue urgent bulletin U1/2017 which gives Housing Benefit departments guidance on recent developments in the Carmichael bedroom tax case.  The DWP advise that 'no action is taken at present' and that they 'will issue further guidance in due course'.  More details will follow on our website when they are available.

27th April 2017:  Upper Tier tribunal decision determines that initial three months (and as a Jobseeker) counts towards the subsequent acquisition of a permanent right of residence under domestic UK law.  Decision found here.

26th April 2017:  The DWP annouce further roll-out of full service Universal Credit here.  The new Statutory Instrument gives detail on the expansion of UC from 3rd May 2017 to 28th June 2017 with Halifax and Milton Keynes being amongst the towns affected.

21st April 2017:  Letter from Damian Green gives detail on transference of power from Westminster to the Scottish Government.  By May 2017, the Scottish parliament will be able to legislate on matters from carer's benefits to industrial injuries, plus funeral costs, maternity and disability benefits.

20th April 2017:  Housing Benefit circular G4/2017 released today with guidance on the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme which 'allows parents to create and account where they can put aside money to pay for childcare provision', which HMRC will 'top up these payments on an 80/20 basis' up to a certain limit.  The 80% parental contribution should be classed as capital for HB purposes.

20th April 2017:  Penny Mordaunt, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work announces today support for claimants who lose their motability car on migration to PIP.  In a written statement she advises that 'scheme customers can retain their car for up to 8 weeks after their DLA ends, a significant increase from the 3 weeks they are allowed today'......'In addition, customers who are eligible for a transitional support payment will be able to retain their car for up to 6 months, including the processes of reconsideration and appeal.  For those that take advantage of this option, the level of transitional support payment will be reduced'.  Her full written statement can be found here.

20th April 2017:  Further statements on PIP from Ms Mordaunt on rapid re-claims for claimants who have been abroad for more than 13 weeks returned within 12 months of the date they left.  Ms Mordaunt expects that this new process will be implemented within the next two months and that eligible claimants will be able to access benefits within two weeks of making the claim.

7th April 2017:  DWP release further guidance, this time on ESA/Permitted Work and ESA hardship payments.  The guidance, which can be found here, provides further detail on the removal of the 52 week Permitted Work limit and the increased amount of hardship payment (from 60% to 80% of a claimant's prescribed allowance) if the claimant is not in the Work Related Activity Group and is seriously ill or pregnant.

6th April 2017:  DWP release guidance for stakeholders around the 'two child limit' on Universal Credit and Tax Credits, found here.  The DWP have also released forms for those who require 'Support for a child conceived without your consent', which can be found here and 'support for a child who is informally living with you', found here.

6th April 2017:  In line with new guidance on the two child limit for UC/Tax credits - see above - the DWP have also today released new guidance on the two child limit and its impact on Housing Benefit (A5/2017).  For the guidance, click here, and for more detailed information on our website please click here.

5th April 2017:  ADM 7/2017 gives further guidance on the government's removal of the ESA work related activity component (WRAC) in relation to the changes introduced from 3 April 2017.  More on our website can be found here.

5th April 2017:  DWP make amendments to HB circular A3/2017 regarding the Bedroom Tax/size criteria to clarify the confusion around physical disability and couples unable to share a bedroom. 

30th March 2017:  More PIP News - An interpretation of new PIP caselaw whereby an Upper Tribunal found against the DWP's '50% rule' can be found here, on our website.

29th March 2017:  House of Lords report on Financial Exclusion, and proposals to tackle the problems, found here.  HoL recommend a designated 'Minister for Financial Inclusion' plus the abolition of the 7 day waiting period for UC amongst other measures.  We wait for the governments response.

28th March 2017:  Damian Hinds, Minister for Employment, responds to the Social Security Select Committee's concerns over the two child policy.  His response, in full, can be found here.

27th March 2017: New DWP guidance planned to allow Full Service UC claimants in temporary accommodation to receive HB for housing costs. Guardian article here.

21st March 2017:  Damian Hinds, Minister for Employment, verbally confirms that UC claimants in digital areas will be able to upload documentation onto their UC accounts 'by the end of the year'.  He is quoted on Hansard as saying "we have made changes to the design of the universal credit digital service so that, before the end of this year, claimants will be able to upload certain evidence to the online system."  Full debate on this can be found here.

15th March 2017:  DWP confirm that MPs can use implicit consent in full UC digital service areas - statement from DWP's Damian Green found here

15th March 2017:  Nearly Legal report on a Judicial Review of Hammersmith and Fulham's refusal to pay a relatively high award of DHP over a long period of time - effectively ignoring their own guidance and DWP guidance.  A tenant was refused DHP on the grounds the amount (of £150 a week) was very high but the court held that payments could be made as DWP guidance states 'DHPs can be paid for an indefinite period where an individual requires further assistance with rent and their circumstances were unlikely to change'.  Full story on Nearly Legal here.