Recent court cases have confirmed that newly recognised refugees are, depending on when they claimed asylum, still able to make claims for retrospective child tax credits (CTC) following the roll-out of universal credit (UC). Claire Hall takes stock on who can benefit.
Some personal independence payment (PIP) claimants can now complete all or part of their application online. Confusingly, there are two separate initiatives at work. Carri Swann explains.
Claimants have been having their benefit suspended for months after being flagged as a high fraud risk. Owen Stevens discusses the DWP’s new Risk Review Team.In January, Kate Osamor MP secured a Westminster Hall debate on the DWP Risk Review Team. She stated that she had been contacted by ‘29 constituents who had had their universal credit [UC] payments suspended indefinitely’. She was told that ‘the cases were under the management of the Risk Review Team, with little to no further explanation of the reason, apart from some claims of suspicion of fraud. Constituents told me that their claims were suspended for months on end—as long as 11 months, in the worst case.’1House of Commons, Hansard, 26 January 2022, Vol 707, col 392WH
Angela Toal reports on the latest developments regarding when a disabled student may – or may not – be entitled to universal credit (UC).
Owen Stevens considers the circumstances in which the amount of the transitional SDP element included in the calculation of a claimant’s universal credit (UC) award can be reduced (or ‘eroded’), as a result of increases to her/his UC.
Martin Williams considers whether those with pre-settled status and no other qualifying right to reside have any remaining route to obtaining benefits to which the right to reside test applies.
Claire Hall considers the DWP’s retrospective reverification of universal credit (UC) claims made during the early stages of the pandemic.
The DWP is encouraging those on legacy benefits who ‘would be better off’ on universal credit (UC) to claim it voluntarily, and is also resuming ‘managed migration’ to UC during 2022. Where does this leave claimants and those that advise them? Simon Osborne takes a look.
Simon Osborne reviews the ‘substantial risk’ rules in the work capability assessment, looking at some key questions and caselaw.
Since the reintroduction of conditionality to universal credit (UC), following a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of UC sanctions imposed has been steadily rising.
Note: The Supreme Court handed down judgment in the Fratila case on 1 December 2021. Much of the advice in this article relates to periods before that date. Please see the test case web page for further information.
Claire Hall updates on CPAG’s test case concerning universal credit (UC) claimants who are working 16 hours a week earning the national living wage hourly rate, but who are being subjected to the benefit cap because of their wage pay cycle.
