Ongoing News

The government has issued regulations which alter the dates when natural migration will take for claimants of DLA to PIP.

Lord Sterling,  Chairman of the Board of Governors,  of the Motability Scheme has stated-

There are new appeal rules for DWP decisions from 28/10/2013.  Clients can no longer go straight to appeal but will have to ask for a revision from the DWP initially and then will be required to appeal directly to Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) .  Time limits for both requests are 1 month which can be

The roll out of Personal Independence Payment(PIP) for existing claimants of     Disability Living Allowance(DLA) is now scheduled from 28/10/2013.  This should affect claimants of DLA who either reach 16 ,  are due renewal of their award or have a change of circumstance after this date.  This coincides with a consultation on the criteria for the enhanced rate

It seems that large amounts of money have been spent on the Universal Credit computer systems that can not be recouped.

The DWP has issued guidance and said it intends to appeal against 2 judgements by First Tier Benefit Tribunals that found that the bedroom tax did not apply ’…. because the judge determined that the rooms did not satisfy the “space standard” as set out in section 326 of the Housing Act 1985 and section 137 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 which is used to assess statutory overcrowding. ‘ In the meantime the guidance advises Local Authorities’ when applying the size criteria and determining whether or not a property is under-occupied, the only consideration should be the composition of the household and the number of bedrooms as designated by the landlord, ...not by measuring rooms.’ In a separate set of challenges leave has been given to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the decision of the High Court that the bedroom tax was not discriminatory. Lawyers are ‘..arguing that the discriminatory impact of the measure on people with disabilities cannot be justified and is unlawful.’ The Labour Party have stated that, if elected, they would repeal the bedroom tax.

Course programme

From 19/7/2013 there will be no further cheque payments issued by the DWP.  Instead,  most payments will be made into a bank,  building society,  credit union or post office account.  If your client does not have these then they will be able to get payments via the ‘Simple Payment’ system which is seen as more secure.&nbsp

Ian Duncan Smith has given more details on the roll out of Universal Credit from October 2013.  'Today we set out the next stage of the roll-out for universal credit following the successful launch of the pathfinder in Greater Manchester, on time earlier this year.  Starting from October, the national roll-out will be comprised of three strands.

The benefit cap is now in place in 340 local authority areas across the country and will be completed in the remaining 40 areas by the end of September 2013.

Since 29/7/2013 all four pathfinder areas in the North West of England are now taking relatively ‘simple’ claims for Universal Credit; Ashton-under-Lyne, Wigan, Warrington and Oldham. The government has estimated that 7,000 Universal Credit claims in the four pathfinder areas will be processed ahead of the national roll out in October.  There are some fears that this will not leave enough time to iron out faults in the system. Hansard 27 Jun 2013 : Column 376W   See our Universal Credit course.

Ian Duncan Smith has given more details on the roll out of Universal Credit from October 2013.

'Today we set out the next stage of the roll-out for universal credit following the successful launch of the pathfinder in Greater Manchester, on time earlier this year.

A few more details on the proposed waiting period of 7 days for those claiming Universal Credit