Webinar: Universal credit: teenage angst, 7 July 2022

The rules concerning entitlement to UC for people who are “receiving education” are a common source of confusion amongst advisers. The picture for disabled students is further complicated by recent amending regulations and court decisions, such as the High Court judgment in R(Kays) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2022] EWHC 167 (Admin) (28 January 2022).

Meanwhile, UC entitlement rules for 16 /17 years olds who are “without parental support” or disabled, and the mismatch between the rules for 18-20 year olds in child benefit and UC, further complicate matters for young UC claimants and their advisors.

In this seminar we will shed some much needed light on complex regulations and case law, and provide practical options for your client.

In particular, we will examine in detail:

• The definitions of “receiving education” and “courses compatible with work requirements” and how DWP discretion over the latter term effectively determines UC entitlement for many students
• Options for disabled students who want to claim UC following the decisions in the Kays case (which may be appealed) and R (Kauser and JL) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (CO/987/2020, 7 October 2020), and recent regulations which further restrict entitlement to this group.
• The position for16/17 year olds who are “without parental support” and/or have a health condition that affects their ability to work and wish to claim UC.
• The mismatch between entitlement to UC and loss of child benefit for 18-20 year olds

Speakers include:

Kelly Marie Jones is a welfare rights worker at CPAG where she runs the Early Warning System.

Tom Royston is a barrister at Garden Court North Chambers and is representing the claimant in the Kays case.

Owen Stevens is a welfare rights worker at CPAG and runs the UC Advice Service.

Jess Strode is a welfare rights worker at CPAG where she runs the Judicial Review Project.

Method of delivery and timings

This webinar will run from 1pm to 3.40pm on Thursday 7th July 2022.

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 £50.50 for voluntary organisations and £71.25 for statutory/other organisations.