Update May 2023: The amounts shown in this post are now out of date. The concepts are still valid. Hello Mike, I visited… Read More > "Getting UC Now, Then Getting More…"
Tyrone is going on to college
Hello Mike My client Tyrone is doing his A Levels. He has a severe disability and gets PIP. His mum currently gets Child… Read More > "Tyrone is going on to college"
Domestic Abuse & Modern Slavery: New Exceptions To The Shared-Accommodation-LHA
Local Housing Allowances If you are a private-renter there is a ceiling on the amount of rent that can be counted when the… Read More > "Domestic Abuse & Modern Slavery: New Exceptions To The Shared-Accommodation-LHA"
Housing Benefit: Interim Payments on Account
Housing Benefit Claims and Delays Since the introduction of Universal Credit you can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if: You… Read More > "Housing Benefit: Interim Payments on Account"
Housing Benefit: Overlaps and Run-Ons for Notice Period
Usually, to claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs Element for a property you must occupy the accommodation as your home. But… Read More > "Housing Benefit: Overlaps and Run-Ons for Notice Period"
Lodgers, Boarders and Non-Dependents
Hello Mike My client Corinne is being bedroom-taxed because she has a spare bedroom in her housing association flat. Her friend Josie wants… Read More > "Lodgers, Boarders and Non-Dependents"
Switched to UC. Lost £130 per month.
Hey Mike. My client Camilla has been on ESA for six years. She used to get £107.60 per week. Recently she moved onto… Read More > "Switched to UC. Lost £130 per month."
The Cost of Love
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"
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The amounts shown in this post are now out-of-date.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"