Read the latest social welfare news from around the UK.
Update on the ESA medical Test
Some of the latest points to consider are-
· New claimants- less are failing the test- down from 69% to 55%.
· New claimants- of those who pass more are going in the support group– up from around 33% to 56%.
Return to the Poll Tax?
Polly Toynbee writes in the Guardian on the potential problems with localising council tax next year and describes the changes as ‘Inefficient, bureaucratic, unjust and unworkable ‘.www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jul/23/poll-tax-back-cameron-localism
Bereavement Benefit Review
At present there are 3 non means tested Benefits available if your husband/ wife/ civil partner dies– Bereavement Payment, Widows Parents Allowance and Bereavement Benefit.
Universal Credit and Housing Benefit Cap Regulations released
The first of the Universal Credit regulations have released. Also the Housing Benefits regulations to implement the Benefit Cap from the Welfare Reform Act 2012.
David Cameron starts Further Debate on Welfare Benefits
David Cameron delivered a speech on 25/6/2012 in which he has started debate about further changes to the Welfare Benefits system-
Carers Week- Help your clients claim the severe disability premium(£58.20 per week)
Disabled people often miss out on the severe disability premium.
We'd like to offer our help in helping you identify possible claims for the severe disability premium.
amount of ESA payable pending appeal
Whilst awaiting appeal, the amount of ESA should include not just the assement phase rate of personal allowance but also all premiums and housing costs.
There have been examples of clients who were not being paid the severe disability premium whilst they were appealing which is wrong.
Benefit Cap Calculator
Click here for an online calculator for the new Benefit
Carers Week- 18 - 24th June 2012
During Carers Week events take place all around the UK to celebrate and recognise unpaid carers. The website allows searches for events in your area.
Some facts (from the 2001 Census) about caring highlighted on the Carers Week website are-
Replacing Council Tax Benefit– a tough task
Government plans to localise the help with council tax whilst cutting funding for it by 10% leave local councils with a tough challenge to design replacement schemes, according to a new report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Size Criteria in the Social Rented Sector
Legislation is due this year which will mean that existing and new social tenants of working age(aged 16 to 64) will receive Housing Benefit based on size criteria in a similar manner to that already used in the private sector. It will apply to local authority, housing association or other registered social landlord tenants.
‘Real time Information’ at HMRC
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs(HMRC) pilots have started since April 2012 to test ‘Real time Information’ or RTI . The system allows employers and pension providers to tell HMRC through PAYE about changes to payments. By July around 320 employers and pension providers will have joined the pilot. The system will be rolled out nationally from April 2013.
Tax Credit Renewals Due
At the end of each financial year tax credits awards need to be finalised. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs(HMRC) are encouraging people to finalise and renew their tax credits before the deadline of 31/7/2012.
Benefit Cap– Letters sent by DWP
At the end of April the DWP is starting to send explanatory letters to claimants who may lose benefit due to the Benefits Cap being introduced in April 2013.
2012/ 2013 Benefit Rates Poster
Our new Welfare Benefit Rates Poster will be available very soon. It will be emailed free of charge to subscribers of our free newsletter.
To buy colour copies(A3 £4, or A2 £6 +a total of £1.70 package & postage), email us with your name/ address and number of copies(A3 or A2) you would like. We will then invoice you.