Information on Universal Credit
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 »
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:
How Move to UC customers manage their UC claim Read More »
When Two Systems Don’t Talk: Problems Between Social Security Scotland and the DWP A recent parliamentary debate has highlighted ongoing problems in how Social Security Scotland (SSS) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) work together. For advisers, this is worth noting as the issues raised are ones many of us will recognise in
Problems Between Social Security Scotland and the DWP Read More »
1. Major policy changes 2. Universal Credit rates & uprating (April 2026) 3. Third‑party deductions – significant change 👉 Practical impact: reduced recovery rates + stronger protection for claimants. 4. Carer element & Carer Support Payment (Scotland) 5. Income rules updates 6. Appeals & evidence handling (important for tribunals) 👉 This strengthens transparency / procedural
🔍 Key recent ADM changes (2026) Read More »
“Right to Try” now in law – key changes for disabled benefit claimants New legislation laid in April 2026 removes significant barriers for disabled people and those with health conditions who want to try work or volunteering without fear of immediate benefit loss. The changes are brought in by The Social Security (Restrictions on Amounts
Trying Work Just Got Safer: What Advisers Need to Know Read More »
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:
What’s Going On With DWP’s New Bank‑Account Check Powers? Read More »
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”
Universal Credit: the “£4.35 Rule” and Savings Deductions Read More »
Freedom of Information (FoI) request received on 9 September. Figures for the 2024/25 tax year Q1 · Number of new UC Overpayments entered on Debt Manager · Value of new UC Overpayments entered on Debt Manager Q2 · Number of UC Overpayments waived · Value of UC Overpayments waived DWP Response In response to Q1: · Number of new UC Overpayments entered on Debt Manager – 1,174,119 · Value of new UC Overpayments entered on Debt Manager – 1,346,735,271.03 In response to Q2: · Number of UC Overpayments waived –
DWP waived recovery of approximately 0.0081% universal credit overpayments in 2024/2025 Read More »
