Read the latest social welfare news from around the UK.
Fraud vs Underclaiming
The government have launched a small pilot in 6 areas to highlight fraud. Methods include posters, newspaper adverts, Facebook adverts and letters to claimants – urging people to report suspected beneft fraud or changes to their circumstances.
Statistics- the Benefit Cap and DHP's
The Benefit Cap- statistics-
Zero Hours Contracts and Universal Credit
We have had questions from you at our Universal Credit training recently about how zero hours contracts will affect entitlement to JSA and Universal Credit.
Get Your weekly Benefit Rate Poster 2014- 2015
Soon we will be sending out a draft copy of our Weekly Benefit Rates Poster 2014– 15 to all our newsletter subscribers. To ensure you get a free copy, subscribe here.
2 IT systems for Universal Credit for how long?
The government has stated that it will be developing two separate IT systems for Universal Credit. It is also unclear about how long this will continue.
first stats on Universal Credit
First stats on Universal Credit show only a few thousand on the benefit.
From April 2013- Sept 2013- 2150 claimed Unviersal Credit.
In areas this was-
What to Advise Claimants about Digital Claims
Carers allowance can now be claimed online, as can JSA and Universal Credit. To maximise benefit, claims should be made as soon as possible. This is to secure a date of claim.
Roll out of Universal Credit
Further pathfinder areas have come on line for the start of Universal Credit. Relatively ‘straight forward’ claims will be taken from clients in Rugby andInverness.
580,000 Benefit Sanctions Issued
Last year our newsletters mentioned the tougher sanctions regimes introduced for JSA (October 2012) and ESA(December 2012).
Exemptions for the Bedroom Tax for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit
New regulations have been issued regarding exemptions to the size criteria in the social rented sector(the bedroom tax) for both HB and UC from 4/12/2013.
42% of New ESA claims Disallowed
A DWP report in October 2013 has given the latest figures for allowance/ disallowance for ESA new claims.
· 58 per cent of claimants were entitled to Employment and Support Allowance. Within this –
Roll Out of Universal Credit in London and Manchester
Further pathfinder areas have come on line for the start of Universal Credit. Relatively ‘straight forward’ claims will be taken from clients whose postcodes begin with the following codes from 28/10/2013- M35 5, W6 0, W6 6 to W6 9, W14 0, W14 4, W14 8, and W14 9.
JSA claims Go Digital
The government say 80% of claims for Job Seekers Allowance(JSA) are now made online. Over 4 million claimants have also registered for Universal Jobmatch to search for jobs online.
Appeals– Meet the One Month Deadline for Mandatory Revisions
Guidance has been issued by the DWP with some details on how mandatory revision and the appeal after will work. A client has one month after the decision to request a mandatory revision(or up to 13 months is reasons special reasons are given). The advice states, if late, the revision can still go ahead if-