Welfare rights news and case law

29 February, 2008

Four out of ten children in London live below the poverty line

Significant increases in child tax credit and child benefit needed, says London Child Poverty Commission

28 February, 2008

Entitlement to retirement pension in Northern Ireland without having to make a claim

New statutory rule

28 February, 2008

DWP to lose 12,000 full-time posts over the next three years

Greater demands to be imposed than ever before, says Department's Permanent Secretary

28 February, 2008

DWP outlines ‘radical change’ in private and voluntary sector delivery of welfare to work programmes

Greater focus on payments by results as Secretary of State launches new 'Commissioning Strategy'

28 February, 2008

Council tax in England - valuations, appeals and the electronic delivery of notices

New statutory instruments

28 February, 2008

40% of JSA claimants who get a job are back on benefit within six months

Government departments must work together more systematically, says Commons Public Accounts Committee

27 February, 2008

Local authority powers to investigate and prosecute national benefit offences

New statutory instrument

27 February, 2008

Drug users on benefit to be required to attend treatment sessions

Government launches new ten year Drugs Strategy

26 February, 2008

Council tax demand notices in England

New statutory instrument

25 February, 2008

Meaning of ‘in receipt of’ income support

CH/411/2007

25 February, 2008

Entitlement to retirement pension without having to make a claim

New statutory instrument

25 February, 2008

Entitlement to help under the Healthy Start Scheme

New statutory instrument

22 February, 2008

Loss of 'worker' status if employment terminated after short period because of underlying medical condition

CIS/467/2007

22 February, 2008

Funeral payment - whether ‘estrangement’ relevant to claim by ‘close relative’

CIS/3534/2007

22 February, 2008

Official error overpayment - what may reasonably be expected of a claimant

CH/2943/2007

22 February, 2008

Programme to open hundreds of Jobcentre Plus offices completed for £314 million less than orignal budget

86% of claimants who use the new service fairly or very satisfied with the results, says NAO

21 February, 2008

Jobcentre Plus staff to be given greater ability to impose sanctions on 'those who can work and choose not to'

New regime needed for those who try to play the system, says Secretary of State

21 February, 2008

Access to benefits should be denied to non-EU migrants until completion of a period of probationary citizenship

Government publishes new immigration reform Green Paper

21 February, 2008

Rent Service establishes Central Processing Unit to take overall responsibility for the administrative functions of all HB casework

New CPU will assist in responding to fluctuations in workload resulting from the introduction of LHA