UC Housing Costs, Decision Notices and ICE Referral – Key Points Adviser Practice Points Bottom line: Entitlement disputes should be dealt with through the decision-making and appeal process, not complaints procedures. Poor administration can cause significant rent arrears, hardship and risk of homelessness. Read the full article on the Universal Credit Advice website – UC […]
UC Housing Costs: A Case Study in Delay Read More »
Published22 Jul 2026 Carers can take a temporary break from their caring role – for a holiday, a hospital stay, or other reasons – and continue to receive their carer benefits during that time, regardless of how long they’ve been in a caring role. During the summer holidays, carers are being reminded they no longer
Financial support during temporary breaks from caring Read More »
Published6 Aug 2026 We have introduced additional ways to communicate with our clients, telling people when they can expect a phone call to reduce the chance of missing an important update about their application or benefit. From August 2026, more clients will receive a text message shortly before a scheduled phone call from Social Security
New text message service for clients Read More »
What Welfare Rights Advisers Need to Know Welfare rights services are reporting an increasing number of Universal Credit claimants in the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) group receiving journal messages inviting them to attend meetings, appointments or informal “chats” with Jobcentre staff about preparing for work or returning to work. These messages
UC LCWRA Claimants Receiving Jobcentre Messages Read More »
Updated: 25 August 2026, 9:30am. The DWP has updated the ADM guidance used by decision makers dealing with Universal Credit, PIP, contribution-based ESA and JSA. Sections Updated The notification confirms updates to the following documents/chapters: Key Points for Welfare Rights Advisers The notification itself only identifies the chapters amended and does not explain the changes
GOV.UK Update: Advice for Decision Making (ADM) Staff Guide Read More »
From 1 September 2026, changes to new Motability Scheme leases will take effect for customers who receive their allowance from Social Security Scotland. We had to make these changes to the Scheme in response to tax changes introduced by the UK Government in the 2025 Autumn Budget. These changes came into effect for customers in the
Motability Scheme changes in Scotland Read More »
We’re kicking off August by sharing our monthly bulletin, featuring media related to all things NRPF and immigration in the UK. Topics this month range from British Future’s analysis of the most recent ONS data to Migration Unboxed’s discussion highlighting the connections between the politics of race and migration, and the Home Affairs Committee’s most
NRNE August 2026 Multimedia Bulletin Read More »
Winter Fuel Payments are now recoverable by HMRC where a pensioner’s individual total income, from private/state pensions and other sources, exceeds £35,000. Pensioners on PAYE with income above £35,000 are currently having their winter 2025 payments recovered. Pensioners are able to avoid having their payments recovered by opting out of receiving the payment. HMRC will
Winter Fuel Payment – opt out considerations Read More »
No Recourse North East (NRNE) We’ve now shared over 100 pieces of migration and NRPF-related media, research and insights that we’ve found compelling. We hope that you’ve managed to join us in reading, sharing and discussing the findings in some of those pieces so far this year, and if not, then July is as good
NRNE July 2026 Bulletin Read More »
New DWP Debt Recovery Powers from October 2026 – What Advisers Need to Know Significant new debt recovery powers are due to come into force from October 2026, following the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025. These changes represent one of the biggest expansions of DWP enforcement powers in recent years, with clear
New DWP Debt Recovery Powers from October 2026 Read More »
