This blog explores some of the pros and cons of getting short-term assistance while challenging a determination to reduce or remove an award of adult disability payment (ADP) or child disability payment (CDP). Advisers should be aware that some people can be worse off in the long run.
On 1 October, energy bills for a typical household were due to rise to £3,549 a year, nearly treble the cost a year before. The cost was due to jump again in January 2023. But in September the government announced that the average bill would be capped at £2,500 a year for the next two years. What impact will this have on fuel poverty, defined as spending more than 10 per cent of net income on fuel? How many households are spending even greater proportions of their income on fuel? And who will be worst affected by rising prices?
This report focuses on social security issues during lock down, highlighting problems making and maintaining claims without support, difficulties participating telephone assessments and appeals, some PIP awards stopping and uncertainty about whether others would be extended, a number of severely disabled and terminally ill people not receiving additional amounts they were entitled to and a gap in support for some carers.
