Universal Credit

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 […]

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

Key findings: Adviser takeaway For welfare rights/advice work, the big message is: don’t just help clients make the UC claim — diarise a follow-up once the first statement appears. That is often where errors, confusion, budgeting issues, missing housing costs, deductions or support needs become clear. How Move to UC customers manage their UC claim:

The UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns about new powers the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) now has. These powers relate to checking people’s bank accounts to help tackle benefit fraud and errors. Here’s what clients need to know. 1. What Powers Does DWP Now Have? Since December, the DWP can:

Universal Credit: Advisers Warned About the “£4.35 Rule” and Savings Deductions Advisers are being urged to ensure Universal Credit claimants understand how savings and other factors can impact their benefit payments, particularly in light of the so-called “£4.35 rule.” What is the “£4.35 Rule”? · The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) applies a “tariff income”