Welfare rights news

29 August, 2007

Impact on income support/JSA of widened definition of qualifying young person for child benefit purp

New DWP guidance

29 August, 2007

Housing Benefit sanctions following eviction for anti-social behaviour

New statutory instrument

28 August, 2007

Paying benefit at a lower rate to young people under the local housing allowance

Citizens Advice expresses concern that concept to be carried forward into new system

28 August, 2007

New options for making maintenance arrangements

New DWP research on changes proposed in child support white paper

23 August, 2007

Government to launch ‘My DWP’ service early next year

Information, support and advice for claimants will improve considerably, says Minister

22 August, 2007

Advice organisations to get access to claimant records held by the DWP

Changes to the Government Gateway to be made before the end of the year

21 August, 2007

DWP consultation on new housing benefit performance indicators

New HB guidance

15 August, 2007

Changes to DLA needed if government is to meet child poverty targets

Campaign highlights need for targeted policies aimed at families with disabled children

14 August, 2007

Revenue and Treasury to face ‘capability reviews’

Government announcement

14 August, 2007

Most local authorities unprepared for introduction of local housing allowance

New DWP research

13 August, 2007

Referring more benefit fraud cases to the Magistrates’ Court rather than the Crown Court

DWP extends pilot exercise

13 August, 2007

Overpayments identified by Pension Service ‘data cleanse’ exercise all caused by official error

New DWP guidance

10 August, 2007

Complaints about the administration of housing benefit fall by 15%

However small number of councils generate unusually high number of cases, Ombudsmen report

9 August, 2007

Quality control initiative results in ‘significant improvement’ in service to DLA/AA claimants

Number of decisions being changed by tribunals falls to 34%, reports Disability and Carers Service

7 August, 2007

Variation between Jobcentre Plus districts in delivery of the JSA and New Deal regimes

New DWP research

7 August, 2007

Council tax benefit is failing low-income households

Urgent review needed, says Select Committee

6 August, 2007

Incorrect benefit awards as a result of mismatched DWP and Revenue incapacity records

New HB guidance

3 August, 2007

Decision makers guidance on dealing with appeals to appeal tribunals

DWP's Code of Appeals Procedure now available online

2 August, 2007

Validity of ‘electronic’ housing benefit and council tax benefit claims

New DWP guidance