A Northern Ireland Social Security Commissioner has held that the right-to-reside test cannot lawfully be applied in child benefit cases. The successful claimant was represented by Patricia Carty of the Law Centre Northern Ireland. Martin Williams discusses the case.

Jon Shaw highlights some issues with personal independence payment, which was rolled out nationally on 10 June 2013.

David Simmons examines DWP guidance on the provision of budgeting support for universal credit claimants.

In Bulletin 232, we examined the rules restricting the housing benefit (HB) entitlement of social sector tenants who are deemed to have excess bedrooms. Since then two new exemptions have been announced, the government has dropped its appeal against a CPAG test case in the Supreme Court and a number of judicial review challenges have been launched. Mike Spencer explores these developments.

2013 is a landmark year in welfare reform. Simon Osborne outlines the main changes.

David Simmons looks at alternative provision following the abolition of the discretionary social fund (SF) from 1 April 2013.

New rules came into effect on 3 December 2012 for employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants who fall foul of the requirement on them to take part in work-related activity or a work-focused interviews. Edward Graham outlines the main features of the new sanctions regime.

David Simmons examines new rules which restrict the housing benefit (HB) entitlement of social housing tenants with excess bedrooms.

New rules taking effect from 28 January 2013 make further changes to the work capability assessment (WCA). Simon Osborne describes what has happened.

Alison Gilles explains the rules concerning the new civil penalties than can be applied to some benefit overpayments.

David Simmons considers how payments for supported accommodation will be met after the introduction of universal credit, in the light of recent government announcements.