Caselaw summaries

Transfer to UC from tax credits – UC claim withdrawn before issue of stop notice to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – must be a subsisting claim for UC at time of the stop notice for termination of tax credits to follow

Two-child limit – not unlawful

Tribunals – previous tribunal found that claimant was dishonest and had forged medical evidence

Housing benefit – income – fostering allowances paid to foster carers for looked-after children (ie, under the Children Act 1989) approved by independent fostering agencies – not to be regarded as earnings

DWP ‘offer’ to change decision before appeal – less favourable decision by tribunal

Issues ‘raised by the appeal’ – tribunal’s duty to consider, irrespective of submission of representative

Social fund funeral payment – a religious service was held in the UK ‘to celebrate the life’ of the deceased, but the burial took place in Zimbabwe

Tribunals – when deciding whether to make a decision on the papers rather than hold a hearing

Backdated tax credit for refugees – backdated claim may be made

Retirement pension – pay ability of increase on the basis of residence in New Zealand after claimant moved to Turkey