Becoming entitled to universal credit (UC) (including on migration to UC) requires the making of a valid claim. What does it mean to make a valid claim for UC? Can a claim be defective? Could that lead to ‘claim closure?’ Simon Osborne reviews the law and practice.
Owen Stevens examines further information provided by the DWP about the approach being taken to the calculation of the transitional element for claimants managed migrated to universal credit (UC).
While getting national insurance (NI) credits for LCW is important for future entitlement to contribution-based benefits, such as state pension, entitlement can also help with getting universal credit (UC), or extra amounts of UC, quicker than would otherwise be the case. Henri Krishna looks at when someone should get these NI credits, how they are claimed, and some of the advantages of getting them.
When a claimant with limited capability for work-related activity migrates from the legacy benefit system to universal credit (UC), how is that reflected in the UC award? Simon Osborne reviews the situation.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v MJ [2025] UKUT 035 (AAC)
This is a challenge to the policy of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to MJ, a claimant in receipt of the carer element and transitional SDP element, to erode the whole of her transitional SDP element when she was found to have limited capability for work and work related activity. The UT allowed the SSWP’s appeal and re-made the FTT decision in MJ’s favour, finding that she had been unlawfully discriminated against.
A combination of cuts and rising demand mean that time is a scarce resource for welfare rights advisers dealing with DWP benefits. Owen Stevens sets out various time-saving ‘hacks’ to help advisers achieve results quickly and efficiently.
