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Benefit Changes Timetable
Universal Credit
How it Works
Introduction
Monthly Assessment Periods
Transitional Protection
Conditionality
Claimant Commitment
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What's Required?
Conditionality Groups
No Work Requirements
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Jobseekers
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Families
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Evidence
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Complex Needs?
Levels
How Much
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Good Reason
Impact on HCE
Hardship Payments
Who can get one?
What is Hardship?
How to Apply?
How Much?
Repaying
Refused?
Standard Letters
Managed Migration
Who & When?
The Process
Time Limits
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Transitional Protection
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To DWP
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Passport Benefits
Free School Meals
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Healthy Start / Best Start Scheme
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Watersure
Travel Costs
Legal Aid
Sure Start Maternity Grant
Funeral Payment
Cold Weather Payment
Problem Areas
Wrongly advised to claim UC
Delays submitting claim
No bank account
Limited access to the internet
New claim closed
EEA Nationals
Carers given wrong advice
Disability related problems
Child Element for new baby delays
Housing Costs Element wrong amount
Housing Costs Element not Included
Non-dependant deductions
Deductions
Other problems
Challenging Decisions
Who can challenge
How to challenge
Notification of decision
Statement of Reasons
Mandatory Reconsideration
How, when and what
What happens next?
Taking it further
Problem areas
Difficulty getting a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice?
Couple Claims
Time Limits
Appeals
Complaints
Maladministration
Judicial Review
Law and Guidance
UC Regulations
Guidance
ADM Memos
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Case Law
EEA Nationals
Migration issues
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
UC Bulletins
2022
2021
2020
2018
2019
2017
Deposited Papers
NI Legislation
NI UC Guidance
Standard Letters
Terminology
Situation
Sick / Disability
Limited Capability for Work
What advantages?
The process
Who and How?
On SSP?
On New-Style ESA?
ESA to UC?
Current problems
Do they have to claim UC?
How Much UC?
Told WCA overdue?
Becoming a couple with someone on UC?
Still in Assessment Phase?
Trigger for WCA?
Challenging 'Found fit' decision
ESA as income
IB/SDA/IS to UC?
Repeat Claims
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?
Medical Assessment
UC50 Form
The Medical
Who has a LCW?
Substantial Risk
Failed to attend
Assessment Criteria
LCW
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
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
Found Fit
LCW/LCWRA Elements
LCW: Single claimant
LCW: Couple claimant
LCW: Separated Couples
LCWRA Element
When From
Death
Condition Changed
Permitted Earnings
Disabled Workers
Terminal Illness
Worse off on UC?
Useful Resources
Journal Entries and Standard Letters
Terminal Illness
Hospital
Already on UC?
Making a new claim
Moving Out of Hospital
Transitional SDP Element
Disabled
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?
Mixed Age Couples
Young People
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 or AA
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
Ukrainians
Claims
Previously on UC?
Who Can Claim
Basic Conditions
Age
Claimant Commitment
Excluded
In GB
Income / Savings
National Insurance number
Three+ Children
SDP Gateway condition
What were the rules?
What now?
Young People
16 & 17 Year Olds
Care Leavers
Students
Prisoners/Remand
People from Abroad
Appointees
Power of Attorney
Court of Protection
One claim per household
Immigration and Residence Rules
The Steps
Couples
Claiming UC
Refused UC?
Not able to claim
Definitions
Who Has To Claim
'Triggers'
Moving Home
Help Available
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?
Standard Letters
How to Claim
Registering an intention to claim
Couples
Online
'Offline' claims
Claiming from hospital
No bank account?
New Claim Interview
Claimant Commitment
What is it?
Does everyone have to have one?
What does it include?
how to accept
Cooling off period
Second opinion
couples
Failing to accept claimant commitment
ID Verification
Online Verification
ID interview
Biographical Test
Fails to attend ID Interview
Fails to provide photo ID
Claim closed as failed to prove ID
Information & Evidence
What's Needed
National Insurance No
Evidence
Rent Verification
Self-Employed?
Failing to Provide Evidence
Checklists
Help Available
Reasonable adjustments
Help to Claim Service
Home Visits
Personal Budgeting Support
Re-Claims
Mental Capacity
Date of Claim
Advance Claims
When to delay claim
Getting a Claim Backdated
Existing Benefits
Housing Benefit
Income Support
IB-JSA
Tax Credits
'Overlapping' payments
Stop Notice
Been overpaid?
Transition to UC Housing Payment
Income Support Two Week Run-on
IR-ESA, IB-JSA Two Week Run-on
Conditionality
Claim Closed?
Failed to meet eligibility criteria
Failed to attend new claim interview
Failed to attend ID interview
Failing to accept claimant commitment
Failing to Provide Evidence
What should they do?
What then?
Keeping a claim going
Change in Circs
Self-Employed?
Info / Evidence requested?
Lost login details?
Standard Letters
How Much
Key Facts
How Calculated
Elements/Needs
Standard Allowance
Child Element
Definitions
Change in Circs
No Child Benefit in payment
Two Child Limit
Exceptions
Multiple Births
Adoption
Non-parental caring
Non-consensual sex
Order of Children
Interaction with Benefit Cap
Supreme Court Challenge
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?
Treated as having a Limited Capability for Work
Limited Capability for Work and a Carer?
IB/SDA to UC?
NI Credits Only to UC
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
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
Worse off?
What's going wrong?
FAQs
Retrospective changes
Erosion
When would it be lost?
Mixed Age Couples
Income
How income affects UC
Whose income counts?
Earnings
Earnings Limit?
Employed Earnings
What Counts?
SSP / SMP / SPP / SAP
Lump Sum Payments
Net Earnings
Verification/RTI
Information for employers
Monthly Assessments
Frequency of wages
Weekly wages
Fortnightly wages
4 weekly wages
Monthly wages
Wages paid early
Employer reported late
Case Law
Two months wages paid in one MAP
Self-Employed Earnings
Income
Expenses
Losses
Start Up Period
Minimum Income Floor
Gainfully Self-Employed?
Work Allowance
Fluctuating Earnings
Starting/Finishing Work
Surplus Earnings
Who's Affected?
How it works?
Examples
What should a claimant do?
Benefits
Retirement Pensions
Other Income
Notional Income
Students
Problem Areas
Savings/Capital
Impact on Award
Transitional Capital Disregard
What's Disregarded
What counts
Property
Valuation
Notional/Deprivation
Benefit Cap
How it works
Cap Limit
Who's Affected
Earnings rule
Grace Period
Making sure it's applied
Separating Couples
Guardians
How calculated
Impact
Minimising Impact
Legal Challenges
Sanctions
Deductions
Maximising
Elements
Housing Costs
Timing
Standard Letters
Payments
Main Principles
How Paid?
Advance Payments
Benefit Transfer Advance
New Claim Advance
Change in Circs Advance
Budgeting Advances
Repayment Cap
Fraudulent Claims
1st Payment
Delays
Missing payment?
Underpayment?
Alternative Payment Arrangements
Needing Support
Twice Monthly
To Landlord
Trusted Partner / Landlord Portal
When can they be made?
How do you apply
When Paid
How Much Should be Paid?
To claimant in error
Arrears Still Increasing
APA Stopped?
Switchback
DHP for Benefit Cap?
Split Payments
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Deductions
What for / Priorities?
How Much
Loss of benefit penalty for benefit fraud
Sanctions
Advance Payments
Third Party Deductions
TPDs for Rent/Service Charge Arrears
TPDs for Arrears on Supported Housing
TPDs for Hostel Charges
TPDs for Water Arrears
TPDs for Court Fines
TPDs for Council Tax
Child Support Payments
Hardship Payments
Benefit Overpayments
Civil Penalties
Causing Hardship?
Stopped?
Suspended
Terminated
Overpayments
Main Principles
From Landlord?
From Claimant?
Fraud Penalty
Civil Penalty
Recoverable?
What should the DWP do?
How Much?
Challenging Decisions
Due to retrospective verification?
Hardship Payments
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
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
Caravans, houseboats and tents
Supported Housing
Specified Accommodation
Temporary Accommodation
Intensive Housing Management
Sheltered Housing
Supported Housing Review
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?
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
Service Charges
Category A
Category B
Category C
Category D
Ineligible Charges
Intensive Housing Management
Excessive Charges
Variable Service Charges
Problem Areas
Disputes
Homeowners / Shared Ownership
Homeowners
Shared Ownership
Discretionary Housing Payments
Council Tax Support
Standard Letters
Changes in Circs
Notification
What
Who
How
When/Time Limits
What next?
Civil penalty
Monthly Assessment Periods
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 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
Transitional Capital Disregard
Protection for Some Students
When would these other protections be lost?
After 12 months on UC
Savings/Capital drops to £16,000 or less
Course finishes
Couple to single
Single to Couple
UC award drops to nil / stops
Certain drops in earnings
Self-employed?
What's Changed?
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
Temporary Absence
Fleeing Violence
Prison / Remand
Going Abroad
Hospital / Respite
Decants
Other Absence
6 month rule
Health changes
Subject to work search?
Whilst working?
Limited Capability for Work?
Going into Hospital
Found Fit
Household Changes
Single to Couple
New partner on UC
New partner on IR-ESA
When does HB end?
New partner State Pension age
Couple to Single
New Baby
Death
Child Care
Comings and Goings
Caring Responsibilities
Regular and Substantial
Relevant Carer
Claimant Comittment
Carer Element
Getting it backdated
Impact on disabled person
Claim Carer's Allowance?
Paying for Child Care
Key age changes
State Pension Age
Single turning State Pension age
Couple: Turning State Pension age
Working Age
Children / Young People
Income/Savings Changes
Finishing Work
Starting Work
Starting Self-Employment
Wages
Relevant Benefit Awarded
Savings/Capital
Rent Changes
LHA Changes
Change in law
struggling with online system?
Standard Letters
Routes to UC
New claim for legacy benefits
Natural Migration
Triggers for UC
Moving home
Death of partner
Separating
New partner
Age changes
Children
Becoming sick
No longer sick
Starting work
Finishing work
Wage changes
Caring responsibilities
Prison
Is UC the best option?
IR-ESA and been 'found fit'
Mixed Age Couples
Affected by Benefit Cap
Claiming due to sickness?
Students
Special Cases
Protected mixed age couples
Specified/Temporary Accommodation
Large families
Timing of claim
ESA to UC
Finishing work
Disabled claimants
Date UC Paid
How to claim
Maximising entitlement / Minimising Errors
Existing Benefits
Useful Resources
Letters / Journal Entries
Mapping Tools
Flowcharts
Summary Sheets / Checklists
Articles / Briefings
Leaflets / Booklets
FAQs
Voluntary Migration
Is UC the best option?
Future Changes
Actually Better Off?
Higher Deductions
Digital Skills
Conditionality & Sanctions
Date of First Payment
Paid Differently
TSDPE Included?
Carer Element included?
Wage Frequency
Self-Employed
Childcare Costs
Transferring from ESA
Timing of claim
Claiming PIP / ADP
Working and Paid Monthly?
Entitled to a Childcare Costs Element?
Self-employed?
How to Claim
Maximising entitlement / Minimising Errors
Existing Benefits
Useful Resources
Letters / Journal Entries
Flowcharts
Summary Sheets / Checklists
Mapping Tools
Articles / Briefings
Leaflets / Booklets
FAQs
Managed Migration
Migration Notice
What a Migration Notice Looks Like
Cancellations and deferrals
Step by Step Guide
Timetable
Deadline Day
Getting the Deadline Day Extended
What happens to existing benefits?
What a Termination Letter looks like
Final Deadline Day
Making a successful UC claim
Enhanced Support Journey
Important Deadlines
Transitional Protection
What protection is available?
The Transitional Element
Which ESA claimants are worse off on UC?
Extra Protection for Students
Extra Protection for Some Tax Credit Claimants
The importance of the first UC claim
The Transitional SDP Element
Who will not get Transitional Protection
Timing of claim
Maximising UC award
April 2025 Uprating
IR-ESA about to end
Becoming a Mixed Age Couple
About to gain/lose the Severe Disability Premium
About to request a WCA review
Also a carer?
Permitted earnings?
Separating from partner
Other changes
Age changes
New baby / child
Moving Home
Non-dependant moving in/out
Awaiting decision / claim for PIP/ADP
Smooth move on UC
Key Messages
Conditionality
LCW / LCWRA Issues
Permitted Earnings?
Complex Needs
Debts and Deductions
Affected by the Benefit Cap on UC?
Checking the Transitional Element
State Pension age Tax Credit claimants
Protected Mixed Age Couples
Tax Credit Closure Notice
Transitional Additional Amount
Migration Notice
Age Waiver
UC or PC?
Excluded from Benefit Cap
What happens to the Tax Credits
Useful Resources
Definitions
Manual Calculation Sheets
Letters / Journal Entries
Summary Sheets / Checklists etc
Articles / Briefings
Leaflets / Booklets
DWP Reports
CPAG Briefings
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Process
FAQs Deadlines
FAQs Enhanced Support Journey
FAQs Transitional Protection
FAQs Erosion
Better off / Worse off on UC?
Better off on UC?
Worse off on UC?
Wrongly Advised to Claim
Who is Being Wrongly Advised to Claim?
Why does it matter?
Ending a Claim
Claiming Compensation
Housing Benefit
Claims & Payments
Claimed Universal Credit?
What happens
Two week HB Run-on
Getting back on HB
Gap between HB and UC?
Who Can Claim
Need to claim UC instead?
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
Age
Prove Identity
Pay 'rent'
Live in property
Not excluded
People from Abroad
Students
On a Passport Benefit
Studying Part Time
Lone Parent
'Disabled' Students
State Pension Age
Non-Advanced Education
Couples
Care Leavers
Taken Advantage
Previously Owner
On Universal Credit
Income/Savings
Appointees
Shared Owner
Specified / Temporary accommodation
When would a move trigger a claim for UC?
Mixed age couples
What is a mixed age couple?
Rules from May 2019
New claim for PC / HB?
Termination of existing PC / HB award
Why did the rules change?
Polygamous marriages
Already on Pension Credit and/or HB?
Protecting MACs already on PC or HB
Mis-advised to claim UC?
Losing couple status
Moving Home
Can get claim for PC or HB backdated
On IR-ESA, IB-JSA or IS?
On C-ESA, CB-JSA?
Working age to Mixed age Couple
Younger member on IR-ESA, IB-JSA or IS?
Older member on IR-ESA, IB-JSA or IS?
Neither on IR-ESA, IB-JSA or IS?
Single to Couple
Responsible for a child?
MACs and SDP Gateway
What if younger member can't claim UC?
Two sets of Housing Benefit Regulations
MACs and the Bedroom Tax
Comparing Pension Credit & Housing Benefit to UC
Pensioner Premium
Worse off examples
Standard Letters
SDP Gateway Condition
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
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?
Claimed UC?
Single to Couple
Working age to mixed age 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
Made claim for UC
Info now provided
Unreasonable request
Interventions
People from Abroad
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
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
Service Charge Issues
Rent Restrictions
On Universal Credit?
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
The 5 Steps
Rent and Maximum HB
Maximum HB Social Housing
Service Charges
What's Eligible?
What's Not?
Intensive Housing Management
Excessive Charges
Water
Fuel
Gardening
Garages etc
Stair Lifts etc
Meals
Bedroom Tax
How It Works
Size Criteria
What is a Bedroom?
Couples
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?
Access to Child
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?
How Much
Amounts
Tenant Disabled?
For Joint Tenants
Couple Non-deps
Working Non-Dep
Non-Dep on ESA
Non-Dep on JSA
Non-Dep on UC
Non-Dep no income
Non-Dep Student
Non-Dep Armed Forces
Elderly Non-Dep
Temporary Stay
Temporary Absences
When no deduction
Minimising Deduction
Temporary Stay
Two Homes
Temporary Absences
Elderly Non-dep
Elderly Claimant
Claimant/Partner Disabled?
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
Non-Dep or Lodger?
Can a DHP Help?
Joint Tenants
Rent Free Weeks
Tenant Incentive Scheme
Lodgers
Rent Restrictions
Exempt Accommodation
Rivendell case
Supported 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 Deducted
How Paid
Difficulties Paying
Unlikely to Pay
Non-Dependant Deductions
Applicable Amount
How it works
Amounts
Personal Allowance
Child Allowance
Two Child Limit
Action Points
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
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
Useful Resources
Summary /Information Sheets
Flowcharts
Standard Letters
Calculating HB
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
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
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 to Include
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
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?
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
Other Rent Issues
Regulations
Working Age Regulations
Pension Age Regulations
HB Circulars
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Older
HB Guidance
Standard Letters
People from Abroad
The Tests
NI number test
Habitual Residence Test
British Citizens
EEA Nationals
Other Nationals
Actual Habitual Residence
Immigration Status Test
British Citizens
Who is a British Citizen?
Returning British Citizens
Becoming a British Citizen
Irish Citizens
EEA Nationals
Which are the EEA countries?
What to Ask
Who can claim?
Settled Status
Pre-Settled Status
Right to Reside
Permanent residence
5 Year Rule
Retired
Long Term Sick
Via Family Member
Worker status
Employed
Self Employed
Genuine & Effective
Retained Worker Status
Becoming Unemployed
Pregnancy Related Illness & Maternity
Temporarily incapable of work
Long Term Sick
Temporarily Sick
Derivative Rights
Child/Young Person in Education
Primary Carer of Child in Education
Family Members
Which Rights can be 'piggybacked'
Who is a Family Member?
'Direct Family Member'
'Extended Family Member'
'Joining Family Members'
Dependency
Difficulty getting evidence
How a change can affect entitlement
Divorced/ Separated
Death of EEA National
EEA National Leaves UK
EEA National loses qualifying Right to Reside
Student
Self sufficient
A2, A8 and Croatian Nationals
Residence Permits
No Right to Reside
Indefinite Leave to Remain
Who can't claim?
Points Based Immigration Scheme
No Recourse to Public Funds
EU Settlement Scheme
Time Limits
Family members
Who is a Family member
What if..?
Action Plan
Derivative Rights
What does 'Continuously resident' mean?
How to apply?
What help is available?
What evidence is needed?
Proof of Settled / Pre-Settled status
Who could be refused?
Applying as a family member?
Refused Settled Status?
No EUSS status?
Pending Application
Late Application
Not yet applied
Joining family member
Application refused
Risk areas
EEA Help Pack
Definitions
Standard Letters
Other Nationals
Brexit
Who can claim?
Leave to Remain
Refugees
Ukrainians
Sudan Conflict
Other Types of Leave
Commonwealth
Domestic Violence
Family Member of EEA
Israel Hamas Conflict
Who can't claim?
Immigration Status Test
No Leave to Remain
Asylum Seeker
Limited Leave to Remain
No Recourse to Public Funds
Sponsorship
Issues for Couples
Residence Documents
Definitions
Dual Nationality
Couples
Claiming HB
Refused HB?
Law & Guidance
Orgs that can help
Pension Credit
Claims and Payments
What is Pension Credit?
Who can claim?
Mixed Age Couples
How To Claim
Timing of Claim
Backdating
Delays
Payments
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
Winter Fuel Payments
Useful Tools
Other Benefits
Benefit Finder
Legacy Benefits
Child Tax Credit
Housing Benefit
Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-Related Employment & Support Allowance
Who can claim?
How to Claim
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
Health and Work Conversations
Limited Capability
ESA50 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
Prisoners 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
If Found Fit
Failure to Attend/Return
Help Pack / Letters
'Old Style' Contributory ESA
Who can claim?
How to Claim
How Much?
Need a top-up?
Income-Related ESA
Universal Credit
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
Universal Credit
Housing Benefit
Working Tax Credit
Personal Independence Payment
Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland)
Personal Independence Payment
Who Can Claim
Age
Backwards and Forwards Test
Residence and Presence
The Disability Tests
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
Fluctuating Conditions
Terminally Ill
The Medical
Procedural issues
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
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
The Points System
Glossary of Terms
Tips for Form
Sample Answers
Standard Letters
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
Retrospective Claims for BSP
Child Related Benefits
Child Benefit
Guardians Allowance
Maternity / Paternity / Adoption Pay
Scottish Child 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
Notifications
Safeguarding
Hardship Payments
Challenging Sanctions
How to Challenge
Good Reason
Case Law
Impact on HB
Standard Letters
Universal Credit
Extra Help
Benefit Delays
Cost of Living
Cost of Living Payments
Council Tax Bills
Discretionary Housing Payments
England & Wales Rules
Claims
Who can claim?
Problem areas
UC HCE = full rent
APA Managed Payment & Benefit Cap
DLA / PIP / ADP as income
Who can't claim?
How to claim
What for?
Rent Shortfall
On UC and struggling financially
Moving home
Rent in Advance, Deposits and Removals
Two homes
Uninhabitable
Absence from home
Specified / Temporary Accommodation
Notice Period
Bedroom Tax
Benefit Cap
Rent arrears
Significantly adapted properties
Not eligible to housing costs prior to moving in
On HB
On UC
Priority groups
What can't they cover?
How much?
On HB
On UC
DHP calculated as weekly (periodic) sum
DHP calculated as lump sum
DHP pot
Payments
Length of award
Do rent in advance / deposits have to be paid back?
Changes in circumstances
Overpayments
Challenging Decisions
Good practice
Each case on own merit
Publicising
Managing budget
Working with other local authorities
Scotland Rules
What can be covered?
What can't be covered?
How to apply
Northern Ireland Rules
When a claimant is in receipt of HB
When a claimant is in receipt of UC
How to renew a DHP application
When the claimant disagrees with the decision
When the claimants circumstances change
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
Service Charges
Repairs and Improvements
Support Related Charges
Qualifying Loans
Upper Ceiling
Interest Rate
Non-Dependants
Waiting Period
Does it have to be repaid?
Shared Equity / Ownership
Mortgage Interest Run-on
Claiming help
Case law and Guidance
Help when studying
Household Support Fund
Reducing Outgoings
Charitable Help
Child Care
Computer/ Internet Access
Council Tax
Entertainment
Food
Foodbanks
Healthy Start Vouchers / Best Start Foods schemes
Free School Meals
Recipes on a budget
Furniture and Household Goods
Gas/ Electricity
Arrears
Cold Weather Payment
Change Payment Method
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
Travel
TV Licence
Water
Arrears
Water Sure Scheme
Reducing the bill
Work Search
Flexible Support Fund
Scottish Job Start Payment
Access to Work Fund
Smart Works Scheme
Social Fund
Funerals
Common Rules
Immigration & Residency
Immigration Conditions
The Basics
Recourse to Public Funds
British/Irish Citizens
EEA Nationals
Non-EEA Nationals
Commonwealth Nationals
Special types of leave
Refugees
Ukrainians
Afghan Nationals
Domestic violence
Couples
EU Settlement Scheme
Who is eligible
How to apply
Family Members
Settled Status
Pre-Settled Status
Pending EUSS Application
No EUSS status
Evidence of Immigration Status
Residency Conditions
Habitually resident in fact
Returning British citizens
Right to reside
Free movement right to reside
Workers
Self Employed
Retaining Worker Status
Self Sufficient
Students
Derivative Rights
Permanent Residence
Jobseekers
'Piggybacking' Family Members
Family Members Special Rules
Joining Family Members
No Right to Reside & Destitute
National Insurance Conditions
Organisations to help
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'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
On PIP
On ESA, IS or JSA
Migrating onto Universal Credit
On Universal Credit
What should the DWP do if the claimant is at risk?
Appointeeship
Ukrainian sponsor
Mixed Age Couples
The Basics
What is a Mixed Age Couple
What's the issue?
Two set of HB Regs
Polygamous marriages
MACs and the SDP Gateway
'Protected' Mixed Age Couples
Which MACs are 'protected'?
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2018
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What advantages?
The process
Who and How?
On SSP?
On New-Style ESA?
ESA to UC?
Current problems
Do they have to claim UC?
How Much UC?
Told WCA overdue?
Becoming a couple with someone on UC?
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Trigger for WCA?
Challenging 'Found fit' decision
ESA as income
IB/SDA/IS to UC?
Repeat Claims
Relevant Period
When does it start & end?
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Previously on IR-ESA?
New claim for NS-ESA?
What if nil award unless LCW/LCWRA?
Medical Assessment
UC50 Form
The Medical
Who has a LCW?
Substantial Risk
Failed to attend
Assessment Criteria
LCW
Mobilising
Standing and Sitting
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Evacuation of the bowel / bladder
Consciousness during waking moments
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Appropriateness of behaviour
Special circumstances
Substantial Risk
LCWRA
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
Found Fit
LCW/LCWRA Elements
LCW: Single claimant
LCW: Couple claimant
LCW: Separated Couples
LCWRA Element
When From
Death
Condition Changed
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Disabled Workers
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Worse off on UC?
Useful Resources
Journal Entries and Standard Letters
Terminal Illness
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Already on UC?
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Transitional SDP Element
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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?
Mixed Age Couples
Young People
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
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Does not have a LCW?
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Student Parents
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Transitional protection
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How is it taken into account?
Advanced Education - England
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Undergraduate loan
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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
Ukrainians
Claims
Previously on UC?
Who Can Claim
Basic Conditions
Age
Claimant Commitment
Excluded
In GB
Income / Savings
National Insurance number
Three+ Children
SDP Gateway condition
What were the rules?
What now?
Young People
16 & 17 Year Olds
Care Leavers
Students
Prisoners/Remand
People from Abroad
Appointees
Power of Attorney
Court of Protection
One claim per household
Immigration and Residence Rules
The Steps
Couples
Claiming UC
Refused UC?
Not able to claim
Definitions
Who Has To Claim
'Triggers'
Moving Home
Help Available
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?
Standard Letters
How to Claim
Registering an intention to claim
Couples
Online
'Offline' claims
Claiming from hospital
No bank account?
New Claim Interview
Claimant Commitment
What is it?
Does everyone have to have one?
What does it include?
how to accept
Cooling off period
Second opinion
couples
Failing to accept claimant commitment
ID Verification
Online Verification
ID interview
Biographical Test
Fails to attend ID Interview
Fails to provide photo ID
Claim closed as failed to prove ID
Information & Evidence
What's Needed
National Insurance No
Evidence
Rent Verification
Self-Employed?
Failing to Provide Evidence
Checklists
Help Available
Reasonable adjustments
Help to Claim Service
Home Visits
Personal Budgeting Support
Re-Claims
Mental Capacity
Date of Claim
Advance Claims
When to delay claim
Getting a Claim Backdated
Existing Benefits
Housing Benefit
Income Support
IB-JSA
Tax Credits
'Overlapping' payments
Stop Notice
Been overpaid?
Transition to UC Housing Payment
Income Support Two Week Run-on
IR-ESA, IB-JSA Two Week Run-on
Conditionality
Claim Closed?
Failed to meet eligibility criteria
Failed to attend new claim interview
Failed to attend ID interview
Failing to accept claimant commitment
Failing to Provide Evidence
What should they do?
What then?
Keeping a claim going
Change in Circs
Self-Employed?
Info / Evidence requested?
Lost login details?
Standard Letters
How Much
Key Facts
How Calculated
Elements/Needs
Standard Allowance
Child Element
Definitions
Change in Circs
No Child Benefit in payment
Two Child Limit
Exceptions
Multiple Births
Adoption
Non-parental caring
Non-consensual sex
Order of Children
Interaction with Benefit Cap
Supreme Court Challenge
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?
Treated as having a Limited Capability for Work
Limited Capability for Work and a Carer?
IB/SDA to UC?
NI Credits Only to UC
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
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
Worse off?
What's going wrong?
FAQs
Retrospective changes
Erosion
When would it be lost?
Mixed Age Couples
Income
How income affects UC
Whose income counts?
Earnings
Earnings Limit?
Employed Earnings
What Counts?
SSP / SMP / SPP / SAP
Lump Sum Payments
Net Earnings
Verification/RTI
Information for employers
Monthly Assessments
Frequency of wages
Weekly wages
Fortnightly wages
4 weekly wages
Monthly wages
Wages paid early
Employer reported late
Case Law
Two months wages paid in one MAP
Self-Employed Earnings
Income
Expenses
Losses
Start Up Period
Minimum Income Floor
Gainfully Self-Employed?
Work Allowance
Fluctuating Earnings
Starting/Finishing Work
Surplus Earnings
Who's Affected?
How it works?
Examples
What should a claimant do?
Benefits
Retirement Pensions
Other Income
Notional Income
Students
Problem Areas
Savings/Capital
Impact on Award
Transitional Capital Disregard
What's Disregarded
What counts
Property
Valuation
Notional/Deprivation
Benefit Cap
How it works
Cap Limit
Who's Affected
Earnings rule
Grace Period
Making sure it's applied
Separating Couples
Guardians
How calculated
Impact
Minimising Impact
Legal Challenges
Sanctions
Deductions
Maximising
Elements
Housing Costs
Timing
Standard Letters
Payments
Main Principles
How Paid?
Advance Payments
Benefit Transfer Advance
New Claim Advance
Change in Circs Advance
Budgeting Advances
Repayment Cap
Fraudulent Claims
1st Payment
Delays
Missing payment?
Underpayment?
Alternative Payment Arrangements
Needing Support
Twice Monthly
To Landlord
Trusted Partner / Landlord Portal
When can they be made?
How do you apply
When Paid
How Much Should be Paid?
To claimant in error
Arrears Still Increasing
APA Stopped?
Switchback
DHP for Benefit Cap?
Split Payments
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Deductions
What for / Priorities?
How Much
Loss of benefit penalty for benefit fraud
Sanctions
Advance Payments
Third Party Deductions
TPDs for Rent/Service Charge Arrears
TPDs for Arrears on Supported Housing
TPDs for Hostel Charges
TPDs for Water Arrears
TPDs for Court Fines
TPDs for Council Tax
Child Support Payments
Hardship Payments
Benefit Overpayments
Civil Penalties
Causing Hardship?
Stopped?
Suspended
Terminated
Overpayments
Main Principles
From Landlord?
From Claimant?
Fraud Penalty
Civil Penalty
Recoverable?
What should the DWP do?
How Much?
Challenging Decisions
Due to retrospective verification?
Hardship Payments
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
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
Caravans, houseboats and tents
Supported Housing
Specified Accommodation
Temporary Accommodation
Intensive Housing Management
Sheltered Housing
Supported Housing Review
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?
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
Service Charges
Category A
Category B
Category C
Category D
Ineligible Charges
Intensive Housing Management
Excessive Charges
Variable Service Charges
Problem Areas
Disputes
Homeowners / Shared Ownership
Homeowners
Shared Ownership
Discretionary Housing Payments
Council Tax Support
Standard Letters
Changes in Circs
Notification
What
Who
How
When/Time Limits
What next?
Civil penalty
Monthly Assessment Periods
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 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
Transitional Capital Disregard
Protection for Some Students
When would these other protections be lost?
After 12 months on UC
Savings/Capital drops to £16,000 or less
Course finishes
Couple to single
Single to Couple
UC award drops to nil / stops
Certain drops in earnings
Self-employed?
What's Changed?
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
Temporary Absence
Fleeing Violence
Prison / Remand
Going Abroad
Hospital / Respite
Decants
Other Absence
6 month rule
Health changes
Subject to work search?
Whilst working?
Limited Capability for Work?
Going into Hospital
Found Fit
Household Changes
Single to Couple
New partner on UC
New partner on IR-ESA
When does HB end?
New partner State Pension age
Couple to Single
New Baby
Death
Child Care
Comings and Goings
Caring Responsibilities
Regular and Substantial
Relevant Carer
Claimant Comittment
Carer Element
Getting it backdated
Impact on disabled person
Claim Carer's Allowance?
Paying for Child Care
Key age changes
State Pension Age
Single turning State Pension age
Couple: Turning State Pension age
Working Age
Children / Young People
Income/Savings Changes
Finishing Work
Starting Work
Starting Self-Employment
Wages
Relevant Benefit Awarded
Savings/Capital
Rent Changes
LHA Changes
Change in law
struggling with online system?
Standard Letters
Routes to UC
New claim for legacy benefits
Natural Migration
Triggers for UC
Moving home
Death of partner
Separating
New partner
Age changes
Children
Becoming sick
No longer sick
Starting work
Finishing work
Wage changes
Caring responsibilities
Prison
Is UC the best option?
IR-ESA and been 'found fit'
Mixed Age Couples
Affected by Benefit Cap
Claiming due to sickness?
Students
Special Cases
Protected mixed age couples
Specified/Temporary Accommodation
Large families
Timing of claim
ESA to UC
Finishing work
Disabled claimants
Date UC Paid
How to claim
Maximising entitlement / Minimising Errors
Existing Benefits
Useful Resources
Letters / Journal Entries
Mapping Tools
Flowcharts
Summary Sheets / Checklists
Articles / Briefings
Leaflets / Booklets
FAQs
Voluntary Migration
Is UC the best option?
Future Changes
Actually Better Off?
Higher Deductions
Digital Skills
Conditionality & Sanctions
Date of First Payment
Paid Differently
TSDPE Included?
Carer Element included?
Wage Frequency
Self-Employed
Childcare Costs
Transferring from ESA
Timing of claim
Claiming PIP / ADP
Working and Paid Monthly?
Entitled to a Childcare Costs Element?
Self-employed?
How to Claim
Maximising entitlement / Minimising Errors
Existing Benefits
Useful Resources
Letters / Journal Entries
Flowcharts
Summary Sheets / Checklists
Mapping Tools
Articles / Briefings
Leaflets / Booklets
FAQs
Managed Migration
Migration Notice
What a Migration Notice Looks Like
Cancellations and deferrals
Step by Step Guide
Timetable
Deadline Day
Getting the Deadline Day Extended
What happens to existing benefits?
What a Termination Letter looks like
Final Deadline Day
Making a successful UC claim
Enhanced Support Journey
Important Deadlines
Transitional Protection
What protection is available?
The Transitional Element
Which ESA claimants are worse off on UC?
Extra Protection for Students
Extra Protection for Some Tax Credit Claimants
The importance of the first UC claim
The Transitional SDP Element
Who will not get Transitional Protection
Timing of claim
Maximising UC award
April 2025 Uprating
IR-ESA about to end
Becoming a Mixed Age Couple
About to gain/lose the Severe Disability Premium
About to request a WCA review
Also a carer?
Permitted earnings?
Separating from partner
Other changes
Age changes
New baby / child
Moving Home
Non-dependant moving in/out
Awaiting decision / claim for PIP/ADP
Smooth move on UC
Key Messages
Conditionality
LCW / LCWRA Issues
Permitted Earnings?
Complex Needs
Debts and Deductions
Affected by the Benefit Cap on UC?
Checking the Transitional Element
State Pension age Tax Credit claimants
Protected Mixed Age Couples
Tax Credit Closure Notice
Transitional Additional Amount
Migration Notice
Age Waiver
UC or PC?
Excluded from Benefit Cap
What happens to the Tax Credits
Useful Resources
Definitions
Manual Calculation Sheets
Letters / Journal Entries
Summary Sheets / Checklists etc
Articles / Briefings
Leaflets / Booklets
DWP Reports
CPAG Briefings
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Process
FAQs Deadlines
FAQs Enhanced Support Journey
FAQs Transitional Protection
FAQs Erosion
Better off / Worse off on UC?
Better off on UC?
Worse off on UC?
Wrongly Advised to Claim
Who is Being Wrongly Advised to Claim?
Why does it matter?
Ending a Claim
Claiming Compensation
How Much: Maximising Entitlement
Click on the links below to find out more about maximising entitlement to Universal Credit:
Elements
Housing Costs
MAP - Timing
Better off on UC?
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Carers don't have to be on Carers Allowance to get the Carer Element
Related Links
Sanctioned?
Child care costs?
Couple splits
How Much?
Useful Tools
Standard Letters
Summary Sheets
Recent Queries
UC Calculator