In the news

FEBRUARY 2019

Universal Credit natural migration causing havoc

​The 'natural migration' of claimants to Universal Credit following a change in their circumstances continues to cause confusion for both claimants and advisors, in spite of many organisations repeatedly calling for urgent change.

​

The Work & Pensions Select Committee recently launched an inquiry (closes 18th February) into the  process following concerns that the government has not given clear information about the triggers for natural migration, nor offered any transitional protection to those affected.

Meanwhile, a Citizens Advice report Managing Money on Universal Credit describes how recent changes have 'made a dent in the problem rather than fixed it' and a DWP claimant survey shows that 'customer satisfaction' with UC is below that of all other benefits, including ESA and PIP.

The Secretary of State has conceded that delays to first UC payments could have led to increased foodbank use.

In the other House, the Lords Scrutiny Committee has questioned if data from the managed migration pilot will be used to indicate the government's capacity for UC migration on a larger scale.

​

In response to these and other parliamentary questions, Amber Rudd has conceded that difficulties accessing the first Universal Credit payment 'could have been the main issue' leading to increased food bank use.

​

Frankly, it's a mess. For further clarity and insight into the natural migration and other Universal Credit-related issues, book one of our trainers to guide your team on one of our UC training courses: Universal Credit Overview, Universal Credit in Practice or Universal Credit & Universal Support. Or, see our 2019 Course Dates for forthcoming open courses.

What's your local DHP allocation?

Don't forget that the people you advise may be eligible for a  Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).

The DWP's guidance on the 2019/20 allocation of Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales (see also above in New Guidance) is worth checking out, to support claimants and to see what the total budget is in your area.

Online benefits appeals

The government has confirmed that continuous online appeal resolution for benefits cases will be rolling out over the next 18 months.

​

In its response to the Public Accounts Committee's report, Transforming Courts and Tribunals,  the Ministry of Justice has revealed that questions and answers on the evidence-sharing platform may be used so that the appellant and their representatives, HMCTS and other government departments can 'discuss their case so that the appeal can be resolved as quickly as possible'.

​

The response has been published alongside the announcement of a new strategy for legal support in the MoJ's Legal Support Action Plan which includes a review of the scope and funding for legal aid and will 'help people resolve legal problems at the earliest opportunity'.

Implicit consent in UC?

The government is working towards the introduction of implicit consent (or acting on behalf of a claimant) in Universal Credit.

​

Employment minister Alok Sharma has confirmed that the DWP is exploring options to improve the current process of 'explicit consent' with the Social Security Advisory Committee following a meeting on 30 January. A report on the meeting's joint conclusions will be published shortly.

​

Alok Sharma's written response follows last year's SSAC report, which advised (in Recommendation 5) that 'implicit consent which applies in legacy benefits should be 'extended to Universal Credit'.

Welfare benefits system prepares for a no deal Brexit

Now a real possibility: James Ferguson's premonitory cartoon  in the Financial Times, August 2018.

As the UK careers towards a no-deal Brexit, there are several ways in which people with expertise or a special interest in social security and EU withdrawal are preparing for and can shape future arrangements.

Following the issue of draft social security regulations relating to the EU Withdrawal Act 2018 as well as earlier DWP guidance and EU guidance on a no-deal Brexit, the European Scrutiny Committee has questioned the removal of the 'equal treatment' principle in the no deal social security regulations, saying that it is at odds with previous commitments to European nationals currently living in the UK.

​

In better news for relations with our nearest neighbours, the governments of UK and Ireland have agreed to continue to protect the social security rights of each others' citizens.

​

The government is asking for anyone with expertise or a special interest in welfare benefits for EEA nationals (and UK nationals living in the EU) to contribute to the consultation on the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Mental health claimants 240% more likely to miss out on PIP

People with a diagnosed mental health condition are 240% more likely to lose their benefit on transfer from DLA to PIP than those with a physical condition.

​

Research from the University of York reports that over 47,000 claimants with a mental health condition lost their benefits between 2013 - 2016.

​

For more information on how best to support people with their PIP claims, contact us for a bespoke PIP training course for your team or book onto our next Disability & Carers' Benefits open course in London on 20th June.

53 week year rent payments

Will people be worse off in Universal Credit in leap years and years with 53, rather than 52, weeks?

Justin Tomlinson confirmed in a written response to parliament that neither tenants nor landlords will be affected by an issue raised by the National Housing Federation about a potential threat to rental payments in 2019/20, which is a 53 week year.

​

However, a subsequent response from Baroness Buscombe appeared to contradict him. We will let you know as soon as anything becomes clear.