Webinar - 1 in 10: Challenging “claim closure” decisions
Next date
About this course
About 1 out of every 10 claims for universal credit appears to be refused because the DWP decides it is not process compliant. That is, a tenth of claims are refused not because the claimant does not meet the conditions of entitlement but rather because the claimant is said not to have taken some administrative step.
In this seminar we will look at the reasons why claims are refused for not being process compliant and how advisers can challenge these decisions:
- Evidence of identity - Sometimes claims are refused because the claimant is said to have failed to provide evidence about their identity or to attend an ID appointment. We will discuss the legal basis for these decisions, as confirmed by recent caselaw, and consider the options a claimant has in this situation.
- Claimant commitments - Failure to accept a claimant commitment is the other big reason why claims are refused even though the conditions of entitlement are met. We will look at the law around claimant commitments and ways of challenging decisions which refuse a claim for failing to accept a commitment. Separately, we will look at the issue of awards being stopped later if a claimant fails to accept a revised claimant commitment.
Throughout, the focus will be on enabling advisers to assist claimants – including practical advice on reclaiming and whether new claims can also be treated as challenges to the initial decision refusing universal credit.
Speakers:
Carri Swann: CPAG welfare rights adviser and training officer
Martin Williams: CPAG welfare rights adviser
Method of delivery and timings:
- The webinar will run from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesday 14th July 2026.
- It will be delivered live online, via Zoom, and there will be an opportunity for attendees to ask the speakers questions.
- Participants will receive an email link, a few days before the webinar, to allow access to the event.
Ticket prices start from £60 for CPAG members and £75 for non-members.