Welfare rights news and case law

5 April, 2024

DWP confirms increase in universal credit Administrative Earnings Threshold levels from 1 April 2024

Update to guidance on earnings sets out monthly rates of £743 for single claimants and £1,189 for couples

4 April, 2024

Amendments to social security legislation including in relation to the ongoing migration of legacy benefit claimants to universal credit

New DWP guidance

3 April, 2024

Consultation launched on proposed revision of the Supreme Court Rules

Views sought on changes including the introduction of a new portal designed to enhance access to justice for users including litigants in person

3 April, 2024

Housing benefit administration subsidy arrangements for local authorities in 2024/2025

New DWP guidance

3 April, 2024

Scottish Government highlights evidence of how benefits administered by Social Security Scotland are supporting the achievement of a fairer Scotland

However, synthesis of early modelling and evaluation also identifies gaps in data in relation to the newly devolved disability benefits, and how benefits potentially reduce the demand for public services

2 April, 2024

DWP confirms allocation of £100 million DHP funding for English and Welsh local authorities in 2024/2025

Allocations for the coming year remain broadly unchanged due to frozen funding levels since 2022/2023

2 April, 2024

Disregarding the Scottish special support loan for students for the purposes of legacy means-tested benefits

New DWP guidance

2 April, 2024

Legislation authorising more than £7.5 billion of social security and social justice spending in Scotland in 2024/2025 receives Royal Assent

Budget (Scotland) Act 2024 enables Scottish Government to fulfil commitments including to spend £6.3 billion on social security benefits and payments

28 March, 2024

MPs call for statutory sick pay reforms including increase in payment rates and entitlement for low paid workers who are currently excluded

In addition, Work and Pensions Select Committee calls for legislative changes to enable SSP to be paid alongside wages in order to support phased returns to work

28 March, 2024

Uprating of social security benefits in Scotland 2024/2025

New statutory instruments

27 March, 2024

Scottish Government publishes discretionary housing payment guidance manual for devolved scheme from 1 April 2024

New manual sets out good practice for local authorities, including that payments must be made to people affected by bedroom tax and benefit cap

27 March, 2024

DWP says it is ‘proudly committed’ to becoming a more Trauma-Informed organisation

Minister outlines work of dedicated programme to ensure that people interacting with Department feel 'as safe, empowered and understood as possible'

27 March, 2024

Social security benefits uprating in Northern Ireland for 2024/2025

New statutory rules

27 March, 2024

Uprating of mesothelioma lump sum payments from April 2024 in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

26 March, 2024

DWP is building a digital solution to ‘strengthen and improve’ its appointee system

However, giving evidence to Work and Pensions Committee, Minister expresses surprise that advisers do not feel they have a way to escalate issues for vulnerable claimants

26 March, 2024

DWP says it needs more time to respond to recommendations and findings from Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report on inadequate communication of increases in women’s pension age

Work and Pensions Secretary updates Parliament saying it is only right that the Department takes time to fully and properly consider the Ombudsman's findings, and that he will report back to the House 'without undue delay'

26 March, 2024

DWP confirms it is testing the sharing of health assessment reports with PIP claimants by default before a decision is made

Minister says evaluation of testing will provide insight into whether sharing of assessments enables claimants to clarify evidence at an early stage and improves trust and transparency in decision making

26 March, 2024

DWP issues guidance on valuation of capital assets for housing benefit purposes

New HB circular

25 March, 2024

Jobcentres should not be ‘places of fear’, says Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary

Calling for an end to the 'tick-box approach' where work coaches spend all their time assessing and monitoring claimants, Liz Kendall says there should be a joined up approach involving both the NHS and employment support