Welfare Rights search

New rules taking effect from 28 January 2013 make further changes to the work capability assessment (WCA). Simon Osborne describes what has happened.

Alison Gilles explains the rules concerning the new civil penalties than can be applied to some benefit overpayments.

David Simmons considers how payments for supported accommodation will be met after the introduction of universal credit, in the light of recent government announcements.

Martin Williams highlights the practical steps that can now be taken to assist claimants who were sanctioned to file (late) appeals and the sheer volume of unlawful sanction decisions which it appears have been made.

Mark Willis explains how the rules designed to restrict child benefit for ‘high earners’ are meant to work.

Kate Bell looks gives an overview of what early research has uncovered about the future impact of welfare reform.

Edward Graham explains the main features of the new rules that come into force on 22 October 2012 changing the sanctions regime for jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) claimants.

David Simmons examines the proposal to make universal credit a monthly benefit.

Simon Osborne considers prospects for reform and other change to the work capability assessment.

CPAG challenged the government’s approach to the Child Poverty Act in the High Court, and achieved a declaration that it had acted unlawfully (R (CPAG) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Secretary of State for Education1 This article is based on our notes of the judgment that was given on 17 July 2012, which we have summarised. We do not have a transcript as yet, so have not been able to check this article for accuracy. Some of the content may be directly quoted from the judgment, but is not in quote marks, and we may have missed some caselaw references.). Sarah Clarke explains the history to the case.

CPAG published a new report at the end of June,1 Kate Bell, London campaign co-ordinator at CPAG, explains how some local authorities are planning for the abolition of the discretionary social fund next year, and what ideas are forming as to what should take its place.

Sarah Clarke considers the position.