Tools and templates

This template challenges the rule which treats a claimant who migrates to universal credit (UC) from employment and support allowance (ESA) (and whose ESA included both income-related and contributory ESA) as if they had received new-style ESA for the whole of the first UC assessment period. It does so on human rights discrimination grounds because, compared to a claimant who was getting income-related ESA only, such a claimant will be worse off in their first assessment period on UC.

Use this template if your client's universal credit (UC) transitional element has been eroded because their housing costs element has increased when the increase in the housing costs element has been caused by the client being allowed an additional bedroom for a non-resident carer (that is they meet the 'overnight care condition') and has resulted in the bedroom tax no longer applying or being reduced.

Use this template when a student who is not a qualifying young person, is not in advanced education, and is not receiving student finance is refused universal credit (UC) without the DWP having considered whether their education is compatible with their work-related requirements.

Use this template to argue that you have a valid right of appeal against a DWP decision despite the DWP not providing a mandatory reconsideration notice if the DWP has refused to revise the decision (for example by posting a note in a universal credit journal stating that a decision will not be changed).

Use this template for a claimant who was granted leave under the Ukrainian scheme following the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in 2022 and who subsequently was granted pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and as a consequence had their universal credit (UC) award ended on the ground that they no longer satisfy the habitual residence test.

Use this template to argue you can appeal without first needing to request a mandatory reconsideration if the DWP decision notice does not state that you must ask the DWP to reconsider its decision before you can appeal.

Use this template appeal submission if your client gave incorrect details of their housing costs on their initial universal credit (UC) claim and the DWP only changed the award from the date of correction instead of from the start of the award.

Use this template appeal submission if your client did not report any housing costs on their initial universal credit (UC) claim and the DWP changed the award from the date of correction and not from the start of the award.

Use this appeal submission template for a claimant whose universal credit (UC) award included a transitional element and a carer element and who has their award superseded to include a limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) element, when this has resulted in the erosion of the transitional element by an amount equivalent to all of the LCWRA element.

Use this template to challenge a local authority's refusal of discretionary housing payment (DHP) because your client's rent is paid in full from their universal credit (UC) by a managed payment to the landlord, but your client is subject to the benefit cap and is left with insufficient UC for their living costs.

Use this template to challenge a local authority's failure to consider a claimant's disability, upcoming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) appeal, and DWP and local authority guidance when deciding to refuse the claimant a discretionary housing payment (DHP) application to cover the shortfall caused by the Universal Credit under-35 shared accommodation housing element rate. Don't use this letter before you have exhausted the local authority's dispute resolution process.

Use this template to challenge a local authority's failure to consider a claimant's disability, upcoming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) appeal, and DWP and local authority guidance when deciding to refuse the claimant's housing payment (formerly DHP) application to cover the shortfall caused by the Universal Credit under-35 shared accommodation housing element rate. Don't use this letter before you have exhausted the local authority's dispute resolution process.