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17 May
More than 20,000 London households to lose benefit as a result of the benefit cap
New government figures also highlight that more than 7,000 households will lose more than £100 a week
Universal credit claimants moving out of Pathfinder areas
New HB guidance
DWP online application service ‘unreliable and problematic’
Work and Pensions Minister acknowledges that existing system cannot offer reasonable customer service
16 May
Direct Payment Demonstration Projects extended for further six months
Announcement by Lord Freud as new DWP figures show average rent collection rate of 94 per cent across projects
DWP to lead governmental review of the freedom of movement of EEA nationals and their family members
Public call for evidence launched to gather views on how current powers are used, and 'what that means for Britain'
Inquiry by DWP Work Services Director finds evidence of sanctions targets
However, report to Secretary of State says that, whilst targets are unacceptable, it is appropriate to give staff 'an idea of what might be expected in their local area and for their size of caseload'
DWP publishes terms of reference for independent review of benefit sanctions
Review to evaluate information provided to claimants about sanctions and make recommendations about how that information can be improved
15 May
EHRC intervenes in ‘bedroom tax’ case in the High Court today
Challenge to new housing benefit regulations on ground that they discriminate against disabled claimants
Number of jobseeker’s allowance sanctions more than doubles between 2001 and 2011
New DWP figures show rise from 279,840 in 2001 to 668,790 in 2011
14 May
No indications that ‘bedroom tax’ will lead to evictions, says Pensions Minister
However, written answer to parliament also confirms that DWP has comissioned independent monitoring of new measure that includes effect on evictions
76 per cent of Scottish benefit claimants struggle with internet use
Government plan to make online claims compulsory puts people's income at risk, says Citizens Advice Scotland
13 May
Welfare Reform (Consequential Amendments) Regulations issued in Scotland
New regulations provide for changes to subordinate legislation in connection with welfare reform changes effected by legislation in the UK Parliament
Pensions Bill 2013/2014 receives first reading in House of Commons
New legislation provides for new flat rate pension, and reforms relating to increasing state pension age and to bereavement benefits
Monitoring the impact of changes to the local housing allowance
DWP publishes new research
10 May
Government publishes response to Work and Pensions Committee report on single-tier state pension
However, whilst Committee welcomes recognition of need for effective communications strategy, it says that other concerns, including loss of derived pension rights for women nearing retirement age, have not been fully addressed
Benefits worth £3.5bn overpaid due to fraud and error in 2012/2013
However, new DWP statistics also show underpayments of £1.4bn
9 May
Iain Duncan Smith's assertion that 8,000 claimants had changed behaviour due to benefit cap 'unsupported by official statistics'
Chair of UK Statistics Authority also says that DWP ad hoc analysis failed to comply with statistics Code of Practice
Sharp increase in DHP applications following introduction of ‘bedroom tax’
Councils also reported to fear that DHP funding for this year will prove inadequate
High Court to hear ten claims against ‘bedroom tax’ next week
Challenges include that new provisions discriminate against adults who require larger accomodation due to disability
8 May
Child poverty to increase by 27 per cent by 2020, says Institute for Fiscal Studies
New analysis finds that tax and benefit reforms introduced since April 2010 account for almost all of the increase in child poverty projected over the next few years
16 May
CJSA/1095/2012 — Overpayment / Whether there can be misrepresentation where no duty to disclose material fact — [2013] UKUT 98 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Wikeley
15 May
CSE/151/2012 — Assessment of whether wheelchair can reasonably be used — [2012] UKUT 376 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Gamble
CE/1936/2012 — Tribunal’s findings and reasoning on WCA descriptors — [2013] UKUT 77 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Paines
14 May
CJSA/2306/2011 — Consequences of missing ‘signing on’ — [2013] UKUT 73 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Rowland
13 May
CH/2069/2012 — Claimant subject to civil proceedings order under section 42 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 had no standing to bring proceedings in the Upper Tribunal — [2013] UKUT 9 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Wikeley
10 May
CPC/2014/2011 — Overpayment decision valid despite no written record of supersession / unclear whether claimant ‘failed to disclose’ a material fact — [2013] UKUT 72 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Rowland
9 May
CPC/2441/2011 — Validity of entitlement and overpayment decisions — [2013] UKUT 104 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Rowland
CPC/2099/2011 — Validity of entitlement and overpayment decisions — [2013] UKUT 104 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Rowland
8 May
CE/1750/2012 — Assessing evidence of whether a claimant has limited capability for work-related activity — [2013] UKUT 118 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Jacobs
7 May
CH/912/2012 — Period over which self-employed earnings should be assessed — [2013] UKUT 104 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Mark
2 May
CH/1014/2012 — Appeal can lapse even if no award made on revision — [2013] UKUT 93 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Mark
1 May
CIB/1057/2012 — Tribunal’s duty to consider ‘exceptional circumstances’ in incapacity for work appeals — [2012] UKUT 430 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Ovey
30 April
CDLA/635/2012 — Tribunal powers to amend statement of reasons — [2013] UKUT 100 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Three-Judge Panel
29 April
CA/1342/2011 — Entitlement to sickness benefits from another member state precludes export of AA — [2013] UKUT 66 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: White
26 April
CH/2120/2012 — Valuation of share in property and duty of local authority to process appeal in a reasonable time — [2013] UKUT 67 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Mark
25 April
CDLA/2414/2012 — Assessment of severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning of a child does not include comparison with a normal child — [2013] UKUT 68 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Bano
10 April
CDLA/756/2012 — A decision can be revised more than once — [2013] UKUT 23 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Ovey
9 April
CIB/2689/2011 — Claim treated as ‘continuously made’ until determined for purposes of an advance award — [2013] UKUT 20 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Mesher
8 April
CIS/2883/2012 — Social fund funeral grant not payable if there is a pre-paid funeral plan, even if it is not fully paid up — [2013] UKUT 40 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Jacobs
5 April
CH/1140/2011 — Redecoration does not constitute adaptation of dwelling to meet disablement needs (reg 7 Housing Benefit Regulations) — [2013] UKUT 26 (AAC)
Commissioner / Judge: Mesher
Immigration question
In ESA & other incapacity related benefits. Last updated 17 May at 16.12 by HB Anorak
“There are two things making this complicated for him. The first is that until the age of 21 (apart from any right to reside in his own right) he would also have had a right to reside as good as, but only as good as…”
Online claims for JSA
In Income support & JSA. Last updated 17 May at 15.59 by PeterS
“It appears that one has to register on the Government Gateway, which requires user ID, password etc. I have many clients with little education and/or English who find it difficult to remember passwords etc. They also find it difficult to remember the pin code and…”
Statement of reasons - Effect on future claims?
In Personal independence payment & other disability related benefits. Last updated 17 May at 15.34 by nevip
“Statement of reasons when requested must be issued to all parties. One in the DWP’s hands would not necessarily prejudice a new claim. It all depends on the circumstances. For instance, the claimant might be able to produce stronger supporting evidence with the new claim…”
Inconsitent information provided by client
In Decision making and appeals. Last updated 17 May at 15.18 by nevip
“It is a straight forward error of law for a tribunal to decide the matter against the claimant on material points that were not put to him in evidence. However, the tribunal doesn’t have to put to him the exact terms of the information he…”
info on local social fund replacement schemes
In Other benefit & tax credit issues. Last updated 17 May at 14.49 by Old Antrim
“The Sheffield Scheme of Grants and Loans:- https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/benefit/benefit_changes/local-assistance-scheme.html ”
housing benefit if subletting as a social housing tenant
In Housing benefit & council tax support. Last updated 17 May at 14.01 by HB Anorak
“The jobcentre is wrong. She should get HB. There is legislation (still not in force if I remember rightly) making it a criminal offence to sublet in a “selling your keys” sense where the tenant no longer occupies the dwelling. Taking in a lodger is…”
CE/366/13 - CE/705/13
In ESA & other incapacity related benefits. Posted 17 May at 12.50 by Phil Cole
“Request from DWP for posponement of Tribunal pending outcome of UT decision in CE/366/13 and CE/705/13. Anyone know the issues involved in these cases? ”
Last Nights News at Ten
In ESA & other incapacity related benefits. Last updated 17 May at 12.22 by Peter Turville
“nevip - 17 May 2013 11:45 AMI was thinking while watching about the whole credibility issue and whether it would be worth referring to at the outest of every ESA appeal I repped at. I know approaches vary but how many tribunals take much notice…”
Foster Carer's Tax Credits
In Working tax credit & child tax credit. Last updated 17 May at 11.51 by Worker#6
“Great, many thanks to both contributors! ”
Bedroom tax: housing advice wanted
In Housing benefit & council tax support. Last updated 17 May at 11.41 by nevip
“On the narrow point of tenant behaviour see here. http://nearlylegal.co.uk/blog/2013/04/tenants-be-the-best-that-you-can-be/ ”
The Worst filled in ESA 50 ever?
In ESA & other incapacity related benefits. Last updated 17 May at 10.53 by bigbill
“We have now done the form the way it should have been done in the first place and included all the relevant information, problems etc, I would have expected any compitent “advice worker” to have done the same. To be honest I would be surprised…”
temporary absence from UK and DLA
In Personal independence payment & other disability related benefits. Last updated 17 May at 10.34 by Mendip
“Steve_h - 17 May 2013 10:25 AMThis is to provide for people who are temporarily absent from the UK for the purposes of medical treatment thanks Steve, I was aware it was about medical circumstances, sorry I did not make myself clearer, I wondered in…”
Recoverable overpayment caused by partner's successful appeal
In Income support & JSA. Last updated 17 May at 9.52 by nevip
“I was thinking more about the HB situation and remembered this. See para’ 7. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/213/regulation/79/made ”
Claimant error on Tax Credit claim form resulting in underpyment ...
In Working tax credit & child tax credit. Last updated 17 May at 9.40 by Michyblue
“Thank you Victoria and have a good weekend ... ”
An argument for ESA CONVERSION APPEALS
In ESA & other incapacity related benefits. Last updated 17 May at 7.44 by Anna Boyle
“Sorry they didn’t. Couldn’t get a copy either. ”
