Hardship payments are payable when a claimant’s UC has been reduced due to a sanction or benefit offence and s/he is in hardship. Sabrina Dubash looks at the main rules and issues.

Owen Stevens discusses what can be done when a DWP decision maker has ‘stayed’ making a decision on entitlement to universal credit (UC) or, alternatively, a tribunal has stayed an appeal pending the outcome of the Secretary of State for Work and Pension’s appeal to the UK Supreme Court, against the judgment in Fratila and T​anase v SSWP and AIRE Centre [2020] EWCA Civ 1741.

​Claire Hall updates on CPAG’s test case concerning universal credit (UC) claimants who are working 16 hours a week earning the national living wage hourly rate, but who are being subjected to the benefit cap because of their wage pay cycle.

A number of coronavirus-related benefit measures have ended, or will end, in the late summer and autumn of 2021. But some remain, for now at least. Simon Osborne takes a closer look.

​Martin Williams discusses changes to the DWP policy on making offers to claimants and a recent case, which clarifies how First-tier Tribunals should approach cases where a claimant has rejected an offer and the appeal against the original decision proceeds.

​Mark Willis looks at recovery of tax credits overpayments from universal credit.

​Henri Krishna looks at some problems that have arisen for some refugee universal credit (UC) claimants when they are joined by family members.

A confusing list of schemes, elements and entitlements makes it difficult for parents to work out the net costs of childcare. Carri Swann provides a summary for advisers and answers some recurring questions.

​Sabrina Dubash looks at problems for universal credit (UC) claimants whose first language is not English.

​Owen Stevens reviews DWP responses to claimant deaths.

In many cases, the only type of employment and support allowance (ESA) now available is ‘new-style’ ESA. That is contributory ESA claimed under the universal credit (UC) system. But what about ‘old-style’ ESA? Simon Osborne looks at what that is and who might still be able to get it.

Some universal credit (UC) claimants can earn up to a certain level each month without their earnings affecting their award. This is known as a work allowance. Carri Swann explains who gets a work allowance, how much difference it makes in practice and issues for advisers to look out for.