Welfare rights news and case law

12 January, 2021 Open access

More than half of PIP claimants whose award has been extended due to Covid-19 have not yet been notified of extension

Minister for Disabled People confirms that the 850,000 notifications still outstanding will be issued by 'early 2021'

12 January, 2021 Open access

DWP Minister summarises recent changes to SSP entitlement rules designed to support workers affected by Covid-19 pandemic

However, Justin Tomlinson fails to confirm whether Secretary of State is considering an increase in the payment rate in response to the outbreak

12 January, 2021 Open access

DWP confirms that it has no plans to suspend repayments of universal credit advances and sanctions for claimants during current Covid-19 lockdown

However, Minister also assures parliament that work coaches will work with claimants to ensure that claimant commitments allow them 'to continue to adhere to Covid-19 public health advice'

12 January, 2021 Open access

While average household spending has fallen during the Covid-19 pandemic, one in three low-income families have experienced increased spending pressures

Resolution Foundation calls on government to maintain £20 'uplift' to universal credit and provide more targeted support to families with children

11 January, 2021 Open access

Labour leader calls on government to put families first by providing further financial support during current lockdown

Leader’s first speech of 2021 recommends ‘new approach’ that includes suspension of council tax rises, stopping cuts to universal credit and extending the ban on evictions and repossessions

11 January, 2021

Whether benefit awards made to claimant using a fictitious identity that had been granted British Citizenship were properly revised, reversed and found recoverable

CJSA/2368/2017, CE/2384/2017, CIS/2396/2017
[2020] UKUT 352 (AAC)

8 January, 2021

New draft legislation extends rights to review finalised tax credit awards to enable further backdating of disability element awards

Policy intent is to ensure claimants receive backdated disability elements even when tax credit awards have ceased or cross several tax years

8 January, 2021

Upper Tribunal Administrative Appeals Chamber publishes guidance for litigants in person

New guidance explains what the Upper Tribunal's 'overriding objective' to deal with cases fairly and justly means in practice for litigants in person

8 January, 2021

Removal of SDP Gateway and eligibility for SDP transitional protection in universal credit for new claimants in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

7 January, 2021

Removal of SDP Gateway and eligibility for SDP transitional protection in universal credit for new claimants

New statutory instrument

7 January, 2021

Labour Party appoints new shadow pensions minister

MP for Reading East Matt Rodda joins the Party's DWP team in place of Jack Dromey

7 January, 2021 Open access

Public and Commercial Services Union calls for suspension of all conditionality and sanction activity

In light of the new national lockdown, all Jobcentres should, as a minimum, immediately operate to the successful model introduced in Spring 2020, says union

7 January, 2021 Open access

Benefit deductions for debt can more than offset the £20 ‘uplift’ to universal credit, sending families deeper into poverty

Covid Realities research programme calls on government to write off historic tax credit overpayments and convert advances to non-repayable grants

7 January, 2021

Tribunals are not ordinarily required to give anything beyond brief reasons as to why they are not adjourning a PIP appeal in order to obtain DLA evidence

CPIP/401/2020
[2020] UKUT 338 (AAC)

6 January, 2021 Open access

DWP issues updated jobcentre guidance in response to announcement of third national lockdown in England

While jobcentres will remain open, it will only be for those who need extra support and are 'unable to interact on the phone or digitally'

6 January, 2021

SSAC recommends that DWP recruits a large-scale panel of disabled people with social security experience to consult with and draw from to work on detailed projects

New report examines how the Department involves disabled people when developing or evaluating programmes that affect them

6 January, 2021 Open access

Providing for one-off payment of £200 to be made to eligible people under Covid-19 Heating Payment Scheme in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

6 January, 2021 Open access

Department for Communities confirms it is proposing to reduce Covid-19 discretionary support grant budget requirement by £2m in 2020/2021

Department officials advise that reduction in funding is justified as a result of lower than forecast uptake, despite efforts to raise awareness and increase generosity of grants

6 January, 2021

Consideration of eligibility for mobility component where claimant had history of some walking at airports when travelling to and from the UK

CPIP/2851/2019
[2020] UKUT 343 (AAC)