In the news

JANUARY 2020

Over 75% of PIP and ESA appeals are successful

Statistics from a range of government departments continue to demonstrate how people with disabilities and health issues are being let down by the DWP's benefits assessments.

Self Introspection (c) Jonathan Wos 2002

Recent Ministry of Justice statistics show that more than three quarters of all rejected PIP and ESA claims are successful on appeal. This figure is backed up by 61% of successful Universal Credit appeals.

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Meanwhile the DWP's own ESA statistics show that while 58% of people who claim ESA now go into the support group,  26% of ESA claimants are found 'fit for work'.

And the DWP's PIP statistics show that only 7% of people who are claiming for support for a long term health  condition receive a long term award.  More than 75% of PIP awards are short term and require a new application within two years. In response the Government has announced plans via the Queen's Speech for a new minimum PIP award, but there are no details as yet.

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If you need help with a forthcoming PIP or ESA appeal, you may want to book onto our next Preparing for An Appeal Tribunal course on 23rd April in London.

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More legal power for Ministers?

Boris Johnson's Cabinet planning on new powers

Ministers are set to assume more power over legal decisions following the reading of the EU Withdrawal Bill.

The new Bill will give Ministers the power to regulate  for circumstances in which the courts and tribunals may diverge from EU case law. Such powers are currently confined to the Supreme Court and Scotland's High Court of Justiciary.

It is just one aspect of the UK's proposed withdrawal from the European Union that is being questioned by members of the House of Lords, which is debating the Bill in the second half of January.

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The new Parliament has already voted down a proposed clause from the Lords which would have offered a right to reside to any EU national resident in the UK on exit day.

Any advisor or volunteer who is confused or concerned about the current and future welfare of EEA nationals in the UK can reserve a place on our next Benefits for EEA Nationals course on 25th March.

LHA rates set to rise from April

The government has announced that Local Housing Allowance rates will go up in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from April 2020.

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Local housing allowances, which have been frozen by the Conservative govenment since 2015 in the name of 'austerity',  has recently been the subject of a report by  Crisis, which shows that families are being forced to give up food to pay their rent.

A similar Scottish government report had also called for a substantial rise in LHA rates to help address poverty.

Manage Your Appeal online

HM Courts & Tribunal Service has introduced a process for those who are legally challenging their benefits decision to manage their appeal online.

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The new Manage Your Appeal service will allow appellants to track where their appeal is within the system and follow procedures which would have previously been dealt with by post.