Benefits System

It’s often the case that people who have alcohol or drug addictions get an unsympathetic hearing from PIP assessors, Decision Makers and sometimes… Read More > "PIP and Alcohol and Drug Addiction"

Following the introduction of Universal Credit, Housing Benefit was generally closed for new claims by people under pension age. However the rules that… Read More > "The Legal Definition of Specified Accommodation"

If you claim Universal Credit you get a Standard Allowance in the calculation. This is: £257.33 per month if you are single and… Read More > "The History of the Standard Allowance"

The Severe Disability Premium The SDP is not a separate benefit. It’s an extra bit of Income Support, Income-related ESA or Income-based JSA… Read More > "The Transitional SDP Element"

This blog post is for welfare rights technical nerds Here is a word file of an annotated extract from the The Universal Credit… Read More > "The Law of Universal Credit Migration"

Supersessions If you have a benefit claim up and running, a supersession is the legal process for changing your award if something about… Read More > "Changes of Circumstances – Universal Credit Supersessions"

Couples’ Claims for Means-Tested Benefits In couple claims for iESA, iJSA, IS, and HB one partner makes the claim, which covers both. In… Read More > "Mixed-Age-Couples"

Backdating a Claim for Universal Credit Usually Universal Credit starts from the day that you make a claim for it, but in some… Read More > "Backdating a Claim for Universal Credit"

Do You Have To Claim Universal Credit, Or Can You Stay On The Legacy Benefits? Universal Credit is taking over from the old-school… Read More > "Some things about the benefits system that it’s useful to know if you work with women fleeing domestic violence or domestic abuse"

This post was updated on 4 October 2024. Work Capability Assessments Employment and Support Allowance is a benefit for people whose health problems… Read More > "The Work Capability Assessment"

This post was updated on 18th May 2023 to include the new childcare amounts that will apply from July 2023 Also, from summer… Read More > "Universal Credit Childcare Costs Element"

If you have more than £16,000 you cannot claim Universal Credit. If you have more than £6,000 your capital will affect the amount… Read More > "Savings, Capital and Universal Credit"

Old-Style ESA and New-Style ESA Employment and Support Allowance is a benefit for people whose illness or disability means that they have limited… Read More > "Old Style ESA: Getting a New iESA Award"

Which Benefits Does The Limit Apply To? From 6th April 2017 a two child limit has applied to Child Tax Credit, Universal Credit… Read More > "The Two Child Limit"

Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance If your disability causes care needs you may get: DLA Care Component if you… Read More > "PIP, DLA and AA in Hospitals and Residential Care"

Council Tax is a tax charged by local councils on the dwellings in their area. All homes are given a notional value and… Read More > "Reducing the Council Tax Bill"

This post was updated on 21 April 22 to show the correct figures for the financial year 2022/23 Work Capability Assessments Employment and… Read More > "Support Group? Work Related Activity Group?"

Brexit and Benefits Brexit has completely changed the rights of European citizens to live and work in the UK – And a knock… Read More > "New Rules and New Developments for European Nationals"

The Severe Disability Premium The SDP is not a separate benefit. It’s an extra £66.95 per week of Income Support, Income-related ESA or… Read More > "Goodbye SDP Gateway! Hello Transitional SDP Element!"

One of the basic rules of Universal Credit is that you must not be receiving education. There are several exceptions to this rule… Read More > "A new restriction on UC claims by students who are ill or disabled"