Hey Mike. My clients want to move in together as a couple. They are both on Universal Credit. What will happen to their… Read More > "The Cost of Love"
Carer moving in. Better-off on UC?
Hey Mike. My Client Livia (44) gets PIP and old-style ESA from before UC arrived. The ESA of £204.75 per week (£887.75 per… Read More > "Carer moving in. Better-off on UC?"
UC and Education
You cannot claim Universal Credit if you are: Aged 16-19, doing a course of A-level standard or below, for more than 12 hours… Read More > "UC and Education"
Preparing for Universal Credit Migration
What’s This Course About? Universal Credit has been on it’s way for the last ten years, but the process of migration will soon… Read More > "Preparing for Universal Credit Migration"
Who Can Claim for Children?
Hey Mike. I work in a DV service. Caroline has recently moved in with her three children. We need to claim Universal Credit,… Read More > "Who Can Claim for Children?"
ESA: Getting more!
The amounts shown in this post are now out-of-date. The ideas are absolutely correct. Hi Mike I hope you are well. Steph has… Read More > "ESA: Getting more!"
Appointees
Hi Mike, Tom is 22. He had a head injury when he was at school. He finds it difficult to learn new things… Read More > "Appointees"
PIP Appeals: Pre-Tribunal Offers
Hola Mike After waiting nine months, my client Chrissie has a PIP appeal coming up soon. The other day the DWP phoned her… Read More > "PIP Appeals: Pre-Tribunal Offers"
Catch 22: No UC, no WCA. No WCA no UC.
This post was updated on 6 May 2022 to include current benefit rates Hello Mike My clients Hannah and Hietor are in a… Read More > "Catch 22: No UC, no WCA. No WCA no UC."
Benefits for Disabled Children – A Massive Cut
Hiya Mike, My client Krystyna is a lone parent. Her daughter Carrie has a disability and gets DLA Care Component at the middle rate. Krystyna… Read More > "Benefits for Disabled Children – A Massive Cut"
Work Capability Assessments – The Substantial Risk Safety Net
Hello Mike My client has had a Work Capability Assessment and been told that she is fit-for-work. I have looked at the scoring… Read More > "Work Capability Assessments – The Substantial Risk Safety Net"
PIP – Engaging With Other People Face-To-Face
PIP is assessed by scoring the care needs and mobility difficulties that arise from your illnesses or disabilities. One of the activities that… Read More > "PIP – Engaging With Other People Face-To-Face"
Claiming Attendance Allowance
Hello Mike My client has been turned down for attendance allowance. What are the criteria? Thanks Jacqui Hello Jacqui Attendance Allowance is a… Read More > "Claiming Attendance Allowance"
Claiming As A Carer
Who Counts as A Carer? In the benefits system you count as a carer if you spend at least 35 hours each week… Read More > "Claiming As A Carer"
The New UC Rules for Earnings and The Benefit Cap
Hello Mike. My client, who lives in Nottingham, has three daughters aged 16, 13 and 11 Her Universal Credit is affected by the… Read More > "The New UC Rules for Earnings and The Benefit Cap"
PIP and Alcohol and Drug Addiction
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"
The Legal Definition of Specified Accommodation
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"
Moving Out From Mum’s House – And Moving From ESA To UC
Halló Mike My son Sigurður has a long term disability, he is 24 and he is on ESA and PIP. He wants to… Read More > "Moving Out From Mum’s House – And Moving From ESA To UC"
The History of the Standard Allowance
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 Transitional SDP Element
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"