Benefits System

If you are single, the highest monthly amount that you can earn, and still get £0.01 Universal Credit, and so get Max-HB is:… Read More > "The highest monthly amount that you can earn, and still get £0.01 Universal Credit, and so get Max-HB is:"

Rita gets State Pension and high rate of both PIP components Roger gets Carer’s Allowance Universal Credit counts the pension and Carer’s Allowance… Read More > "Chicken and Egg: Don’t qualify for the LCWRA Element until you’ve been getting UC for 3 months, but can’t get UC until you qualify for the LCWRA Element."

If you scroll down my blog, you will find lots of information about the effects of work on people who live in refuges,… Read More > "A fantastic, positive change in the benefits system, but not yet!"

Today’s budget announced the following changes to the benefits system: The two-child-limit in Universal Credit is to be scrapped with effect from April… Read More > "Budget 2025: The Benefits Changes"

Down at the DWP, they love to give things more than one name. Over the past few months, politicians and DWP have started… Read More > "The Health Element of Universal Credit"

Hi Mike, My client Belinda has a learning impairment. She lives with her parents. The parents are hoping to buy a small house… Read More > "Can I get Housing Costs Element if I rent a property from a relative?"

Hi Mike, I am currently working with a young man who is awaiting an autism assessment (in my opinion he is clearly has… Read More > "Do you need a diagnosis to claim PIP?"

Here is the answer to a query about older person’s benefits; and how one person’s claims can affect someone else’s Pension Credit, Housing… Read More > "My client’s niece claimed Carer’s Allowance, and now my client has lost her Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction."

Over the years I have found that the best way to ask a health professional for a supporting letter is to focus on… Read More > "How I Ask A Doctor for Supporting Evidence"

Anna lives in a refuge. She has one child aged 6. Both are fit and well. Universal Credit thinks that each month they… Read More > "Working Refuge Residents With Children"

From 6th April 2017 a two-child limit applies to Universal Credit. The limit does not apply to Child Benefit or Pension Credit. How… Read More > "The Two Child Limit"

Last week the government dropped its plans to reform PIP. So, for now, we don’t have to worry about the proposed minimum-four-points rule.… Read More > "Benefit Changes Update – 14 July 2025"

This post was updated on 27th May 2025 You can download a PDF of this information This information is about people who are… Read More > "Working While You Live in a Hostel, Refuge or Supported Accommodation."

When I was a young man, there was a benefit called Housewives’-Non-Contributory-Invalidity-Pension.  It was for women whose health difficulties or disabilities meant that they… Read More > "How can you be getting contributory-ESA if you’ve never worked?"