UC Hot Topics: May 2026

This online Conference is a must for anyone supporting UC claimants.

Join us to explore some UC 'hot topics' - delving into the latest reforms and common problem areas.

Attend three informative workshops, hear from experienced speakers and
put your questions to our panel of experts.

Feedback from our previous Conference:

"Very informative sessions on fairly complex issues, with easy to understand
presentations and great presenters!"

"Despite it being online, it flowed seamlessly."

"The workshops were incredibly informative."

Plan of the Day

9.30am Welcome

The Conference will start at 9.30am with a welcome from the Chair, Peter Barker.

9.35am Opening speech: May UC Payments

Many claimants will not receive the UC payment they are expecting in May. In this opening speech we begin to explain why and set the scene for the day ahead.

10.00am Workshop 1

Choose from:

1A: Impact of the lifting of the Two Child Limit

Some families may not se the increase in their UC that they were expecting after the lifting of the Two Child Limit. This workshop explores why. It will look at:

Who will benefit (and some may need to make a new claim)
Which families won't benefit
Interplay with the Transitional Element
What about the Benefit Cap?-
Some of the lesser known Benefit Cap rules.

1B: Protected LCWRA Element: Severe Conditions Criteria

If a claimant meets the 'severe conditions criteria' then they will be entitled to the higher protected LCWRA Element.

In this workshop will explore:

The new rules from April
When the 'severe conditions criteria' can apply,
The current guidance about 'severe conditions criteria',
Making sure those treated as having LCWRA are considered under the 'severe conditions criteria'.

11.10am Break

11.40am Workshop 2:

Choose from:

2A: UC and self-employment: The Minimum Income Floor

Many self-employed UC claimants are affected by the Minimum Income Floor (MIF) - where they are being treated as earning more than they are and so receive a reduced UC award. In this workshop we will explore

- Which self-employed claimants are affected by the MIF

- Which should not be affected by the MIF

- How the MIF works: including how it works for couples and those unable to work due to health issues

- Options for claimants affected by the MIF.

2B: 'Pre-2026 claimants' - making sure the DWP get the 'relevant period' right

If someone is a 'pre-2026 claimant' then they are entitled to the higher protected rate of LCWRA Element - a difference of over £200 a month.
For many entitlement will depend on when their 'relevant period' started, but this is an area where errors are made. In this workshop we consider:

- What is the 'relevant period' and who is a 'pre-2026 claimant'

- When does the 'relevant period' start and end?

- Why is it important with the new rates of LCWRA?

- Ensuring it doesn't re-start.

- Common errors to watch out for and how to challenge them.

12.50pm Lunch

1.30pm Guest speakers

Ruby Sullivan - CPAG's Early Warning System

CPAGs Early Warning System gathers information and case studies about families and individuals affected by changes to the benefit system to effect social change. Ruby will explain the role of the EWS, and the case studies they are particularly interested in at the moment.

Corin Hammersley, Royal Borough of Greenwich - The Crisis and Resilience Fund

Corin will take us through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund and how it will deliver support to low income families in a crisis as well as building individual and community financial resilience.

2.30pm Break

2.45pm Workshop 3

Choose from:

3A: UC and Mixed Age Couples

This workshop will consider some of the special rules that apply to Mixed Aged Couples on UC. It will investigate:

What happens when a couple on UC age into being a Mixed Aged Couple
What if the older member has a deferred pension?
When the older member is treated as having LCW/ LCWRA and how to maximise the couple's UC award
Moving from UC to pensioner benefits.

3B: UC Caselaw Update

In this workshop we will explore recent caselaw relating to:

Backdating
Closed period supersessions
'Any time' revisions
Withdrawals from personal pensions
Childcare costs and Assessment Periods
Appealing without an MR Notice.

4.00pm Q and A Panel

4.30pm Close