Read the latest social welfare news from around the UK.
3 new exceptions for the bedroom tax
3 new exceptions for the bedroom tax(under occupancy in the social rented sector) which starts in a couple of weeks. The following will be able to get an extra room.
(A new regulation brings in the first 2 changes- Social Security The Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2013 no 665)
Atos announce Partners to Deliver PIP
Atos Healthcare currently deliver all medical assessments for the much criticised assessments for the Work Capability Assessment of Employment and Support Allowance(ESA).
Universal Credit– Budgeting Guidance
One of the biggest worries with Universal Credit is how vulnerable claimants will budget monthly when they are paid directly. The government argue that promoting personal responsibility is one of the key ways to help put work at the centre of the Benefit System.
500,000 will lose DLA
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) starts to be introduced in pilot areas from April 2013 and throughout the country from June 2013. It will gradually replace DLA for those claimants aged 16– 64.
Order your Colour Benefit Rate Posters now
We are now taking orders for our popular colour Weekly Benefit Rates Posters 2013–14. Costs are £4 for A3 size and £6 for A2 size (plus a total of £2.25 postage for all orders). The posters will include the new rates for Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments, as well as the Benefit Cap.
Legal Aid Cuts in April
From April, a growing number of advice centres such as CABx and Law Centres will no longer be able to provide support for clients who need specialist legal advice to enforce their rights. At a time of increased demand, many areas of law will be removed from the scope of legal aid, meaning vulnerable people will be left to s
PIP and Blue Badge Rules
The Department for Transport has finalised rules that apply to PIP and the disabled parking or ‘Blue Badge’ scheme.
Concerns from Recent Training– Universal Credit
Thanks to all those who attended the Welfare Reform Briefings on Universal Credit recently. We discussed many potential issues and came up with planned responses. Some of your concerns were- increases in workload, monthly budgeting, direct payments, increase in debt, on line claims, recoverability of overpayments, reduction in advice centre capaci
Big Cuts for Severely Disabled and Carers under Universal Credit
The latest draft regulations for Universal Credit released in December 2012 confirm that there will be large cuts for the severely disabled under Universal Credit. There will be no equivalent of the Severe Disability Premium (worth £58.20 at present). Also claimants who are recognised as both sick and a carer by the present system are another group who will lose out as the car
ESA News– new regulations for those Receiving Cancer Treatment
From 28/1/2013 new regulations apply for Employment and Support Allowance. As well as some smaller changes to the descriptors (and exceptional circumstances rules), the new rules affect those receiving cancer treatment and no longer differentiate between non-oral and oral chemotherapy. The old rules meant claimants receiving radiotherapy lost out as they were often placed in t
Transitional Protection under Universal Credit
Transitional protection tries to ensure that existing benefit claimants don’t miss out when benefits entitlements are cut. Transitional protection under the Universal Credit system will be available to protect those that move over from the old system, for example ESA.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Timetable
The migration of many DLA claims over to PIP has been delayed until October 2015. The revised PIP introduction timetable is-
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8/4/2013 |
Predicted £245 million increase in Rent Arrears for Housing Associations
A report commissioned by the National Housing Federation has found that-
Large increase in Discretionary Housing Payments for 2013/14
The government gives local Authorities a budget each year to allow discretionary funding of housing costs that are not covered by the normal Housing or Council Tax Benefit schemes. It’s advisable to encourage your clients to try to claim this money.