Welfare Rights Bulletin articles

New rules about temporary absence from Great Britain were introduced from 28 July 2016 for housing benefit (HB) and pension credit (PC). Simon Osborne describes the main points.

A three-judge panel of the Upper Tribunal has overturned a previous ruling that tax credits claimants could not make a late appeal against decisions made between 2008 and 2014. Mike Spencer considers the implications of the decision and how claimants whose appeals were wrongly struck out can get their appeals reinstated.

Simon Osborne considers some recent caselaw about the disability living allowance (DLA) tests for attention/ supervision at night, in the context of the needs of disabled children.

Ros White considers recent amendments to the sanction rules.

The Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 received royal assent on 16 March 2016. Mike Spencer summarises the key changes to social security legislation.

Simon Osborne provides answers to some basic questions about the new state pension.

When should a First-tier Tribunal consider allowing appellants to take part in the hearing of their appeals via a telephone or video link? Simon Osborne reviews the relevant law, and some yet wider considerations.

Martin Williams considers some implications of recent caselaw about sanctions and the Work Programme.

Judith Paterson looks at proposals to use new social security powers in Scotland.

Ros White considers the ‘extensive catalogue’ of Upper Tribunal decisions highlighting failures by HMRC and the First-tier Tribunal in tax credits ‘living together’ cases