Universal credit, free school meals, Best Start foods and more

This is a challenge to the policy of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (SSWP) in relation to MJ, a claimant in receipt of the carer element and transitional SDP element (TSDPE), to erode the whole of her transitional SDP element when she was found to have limited capability for work and work related activity (LCWRA). The FTT found that the claimant had been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis that she was a carer and that her TSDPE should only erode by the amount by which her maximum UC had increased (ie the difference between the carer element and the LCWRA element). The SSWP appealed the FTT decision to the Upper Tribunal and that appeal was heard on 30 October 2024. Judgment is awaited. 

This is a challenge to the non-consensual conception exception ordering rule within the two-child limit. The application for judicial review was initially refused permission on the papers. At a renewal hearing on 10 October 2024, the High Court granted permission for the case to go to a substantive hearing.

Students and benefits online training and e-learning, carer support payment deadlines, and caselaw

The Upper Tribunal considered whether VB, a Norwegian national with pre-settled status, had a right to reside for the purposes of claiming Universal Credit because she was i) a self-employed person, ii) a self-sufficient person with comprehensive sickness insurance, and iii) had retained worker status.

Student and benefits e-bulletin: online training, students and carer support payment, and more.

Appeals, new support for carers and with the cost of living

Latest on transfer of Carer’s Allowance claims to Carer Support Payment, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance, application dates and redeterminations

Including: Summer school holiday payments and latest on migration from tax credits to universal credit.

The Early Warning System collects case studies from welfare rights advisers. We use this evidence in CPAG's campaigning, policy and legal work. We're pleased to be re-launching our quarterly briefing for advisers.