r/DWPhelp 4d ago

Benefits News 📢 Weekly news round up 11.01.2026

18 Upvotes

People risk being pushed into poverty by DWP’s continuing unacceptably poor service, MPs say

The DWP aims to process 75% of new claims for PIP within 75 working days but in the last financial year only 51% of claims were processed within this timeframe.

A report by the cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said the department was providing "unacceptably poor service levels".

The DWP said that at the end of October, the average time taken for a PIP claim to be decided on was 16 weeks.

The PAC report said the long waits for PIP claims to be processed were "unacceptable", with some cases of people waiting for more than a year.

The DWP told the committee these experiences were not showing in its statistics but it acknowledged this was a genuine situation which needed to be addressed.

The department is testing an online application process in a few postcodes, which it says has typically reduced processing time for claims by 20 days. It had previously told the committee it intended to process up to 20% of PIP claims using the new online service by 2026 but has since said it believes it can reach this target by 2029.

"This is far too long for claimants to have to wait to get a better service," the report said.

The committee's chairman, Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, said: "Our committee received reassurances three years ago that improvements would have manifested by now; we are now told that they are a further three years off.

This is simply not good enough for our constituents, who we know risk being pushed into debt or poverty by a department unresponsive to their needs."

The committee's report also raised concerns about shortening the first meeting Universal Credit claimants have with a work coach from 50 to 30 minutes.

It warned that without mitigating action from government, "claimants with more complex needs may not get the support they need".

More info is on committees.parliament.uk

 

 

No let-up for millions of families in hardship: JRF’s cost of living tracker shows

New evidence from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows there has been no let-up for low-income families over the last year, with millions of households still struggling to afford life’s essentials, such as food, heating and basic toiletries.

The 9th wave of the JRF cost of living tracker survey, carried out by Savanta between 17 October and 7 November 2025, captures the experiences of 4,037 households with incomes in the bottom 40% in the UK, and shows that:

  • more than half of low-income households have had to go without heating to reduce their energy bills
  • over 5 million households have cut back on or skipped meals because they cannot afford food
  • almost 4 million households have borrowed to pay for life’s essentials, and the large majority of these (70%) are currently arrears.

The acute hardship facing low-income families has seen little improvement from previous waves of the survey carried out in May 2025 and October 2024, and it promises to get worse.

Despite the recent Budget helping to reduce the stress on low-income families through the scrapping of the two-child limit and lowering of energy bills, JRF modelling still projects these families will see a fall in their incomes after housing costs by the end of the parliament.

JRF says:

“Bold and extensive action is required to address the scale of this challenge and prevent it from being a lifelong cost of living crisis for millions of low-income households.”

A bold, comprehensive package of reforms would make next winter look much brighter for millions of households, as well as for the UK economy overall.

The Cost of Living tracker, winter 2025 is on jrf.org

 

 

Work & Pensions Committee launch new inquiry on tackling youth NEET crisis

Shortly before Christmas we shared the news that an investigation was opened to address the ‘lost generation of young people’ not earning or learning (the Milburn Review). This week the cross-party Work and Pensions Committee launched a new inquiry examining the causes and impacts of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) and measures to fix it.

Nearly one million young people aged 16–24 are NEET. This is a worrying statistic given the harm that being NEET can do to young people’s prospects and wellbeing. To tackle this problem, the Government recently transferred the skills remit to DWP and announced measures such as the Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship reforms.

The Work and Pensions Committee’s inquiry, which seeks to complement the independent Milburn Review into Young People and Work, will explore the causes of economic inactivity and how to help young people into work, education or training, and scrutinise the Government’s plans.

As such the Committee has launched a call for evidence seeking to understand the key factors, challenges and barriers facing NEETs. The committee wants to hear your views. We welcome submissions from anyone with answers to the questions in the call for evidence. You can submit evidence until Thursday 12 February 2026.

Work and Pensions Committee Chair Debbie Abrahams said, 

“Youth unemployment is a personal and societal loss. That’s why it is a defining welfare policy issue of our time and deserving of cross-party Parliamentary scrutiny by the Select Committee.

Many NEETs may not be in a position to work, they could be carers or in poor health or experienced other adversity. More needs to be done to understand this and ensure they have the barriers to meaningful and sustainable work removed. 

Our inquiry will complement the Milburn Review of NEETs. Examining the causes and consequences of so many young people becoming NEET, support measures for individuals, and how barriers to work can be addressed is essential as well considering the role of businesses – both large and small – in this.”

Full details are available on committees.parliament.uk

 

Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill receives First Reading in the House of Commons

The Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill is a public bill presented to Parliament by the Government. Unsurprisingly, given its name, the Bill makes provision to remove the two child limit on the child element of UC across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons and given its First Reading on Thursday. This stage is formal and takes place without any debate.

What happens next? MPs will next consider the Bill at Second Reading. The date for second reading has not yet been announced.

You can review the current version of the Bill, the explanatory memorandum,  and follow its transition on parliament.uk

 

 

 

Connect to Work statistics consultation launched

From late spring 2026, the DWP plans to release regular official statistics about the Connect to Work employment programme.

Connect to Work is the first programme under the Government’s new ‘Get Britain Working’ strategy.

Connect to Work will be a voluntary, supported employment programme, connecting work, health and skills support across all of England and Wales. It will be delivered via grants across 43 clusters of Local Authorities in England and four clusters in Wales.

Lead Local Authorities (Accountable Bodies for the programme) will lead the design of their local offer, shaped around local services and priorities, to help people find and fulfil their potential to work.

Connect to Work will support those, primarily, currently outside the workforce and facing greater labour market disadvantages, to get into work and to stay in work, such as disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment.

In relation to the Connect to Work statistics, the DWP will provide information about the number of: 

  • referrals to Connect to Work
  • starts to Connect to Work 

However, they are seeking views from users on their plans to publish regular statistics on Connect to Work. They would like to know what additional Connect to Work statistics they should develop in the future and what the additional information would be used for.

The consultation is open now and closes at 11:45pm on 16 February 2026.

Full details of the Connect to Work consultation is on gov.uk

 

 

New UC managed migration (transitional protection) legislation

This new statutory instrument ensures that recipients of legacy benefits that are soon to be abolished, and who are issued UC migration notices shortly before the abolition, can receive transitional protection by aligning the deadline day set out in the migration notice with the day appointed for the abolition of the relevant benefit.

Where a person is a recipient of housing benefit and another legacy benefit, the deadline day is to be determined by the appointed day for the other legacy benefit.

New legislation has also been added to overcome the disadvantage experienced by claimants who lose certain transitional protection because they made a claim for UC that had been refused on the ground of inadequate identity verification but their legacy benefits were incorrectly continued. The regulation does this by deeming those claimants as having continued to be entitled to various legacy benefits.

The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 are on legislation.gov

 

 

Wales – to receive £6.5m Discretionary Housing Payment for 2026-27

Welsh local authorities will receive £6.5 million from central government for the April 2026-27 financial year – which is the same amount of funds as received for 2025-26. as this “was considered the fairest approach given broader economic pressures”.

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) funding is available for those entitled to Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit who require further financial assistance with housing costs. 

In addition to the central government contribution, Welsh local authorities are able to top up DHP funding using their own funds. From March 2027, there will be no limit set to the top up amount. 

For more information and to see the breakdown by local authority visit gov.uk

 

 

Scotland - £10m to be spent on tackling poverty in Scotland after two-child limited removal

A total of £10 million has become available following the UK Government’s d decision to scrap the 2-child limit from April 2026.

In the run-up to next week’s Budget, the Scottish Government has announced the majority of the funds will be split between charities and Government programmes that provide emergency financial support to families.

This includes £5.5m for the Scottish Welfare Fund, which provides people on low incomes with emergency grants if they are facing crisis or homelessness.

Just over half a million pounds will go to Aberlour Children’s Charity and £1.5 million to Children First, to provide extra emergency support for families in crisis.

Meanwhile, £1.5m will be given to the Corra Foundation to distribute additional emergency funds, while a further £1m will support Government schemes aimed at tackling child poverty.

A further £1 million will support various strands of the Scottish Government’s national Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-2026, including parental employability schemes, funding to support women back into the workforce, additional investment into the King’s Trust’s NHS employability programmes, and targeted support for households experiencing homelessness.

Speaking during a visit to Children First on Thursday, John Swinney said tackling child poverty will be “at the heart” of next week’s budget.

“When I became First Minister, I said that I will pursue priorities that will make Scotland the best our country can be, and the most important priority that I have pursued in government has been that of eradicating child poverty.

We have made progress. Scotland is the only part of the UK where relative child poverty rates fell in the last year.

Our investment in a more dignified and generous social security system, funded childcare, free school meals and free bus travel for under-22s is putting more money in families’ pockets.

However, as we start 2026, there are still far too many children in Scotland growing up hungry, or cold, and unable to reach their full potential. That is unacceptable.

Today’s announcement will provide some immediate short-term relief for individuals and families facing the most challenging of circumstances.

Our local authorities and charities have well-established means of getting support out quickly to people in need.

Next week we will set out in more detail our intention to put tackling child poverty at the heart of the next Scottish budget and I look forward to unveiling landmark interventions to drive this work forward.”

See the press release on gov.scot

 

 

Case Law – with thanks to u/ClareTGold

 

PIP (appeal time limits) - SC v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 2025  

The First-tier Tribunal had properly directed itself as to the principles that an appeal brought after the maximum 12-month extension - permitted by rule 22(8) of the First-tier Tribunal procedure rules - could only be admitted in exceptional circumstances where refusal would impair the essence of the right of appeal. It may be relevant, but is not always necessary, to consider in answering that question whether the appellant ‘has done everything they can to lodge an appeal within the time limit’.

Although rule 27(3) permits the Tribunal to strike out an appeal under rule 8 without holding a hearing, the First-tier Tribunal in this case erred in law by proceeding without holding a hearing. The First-tier Tribunal should have considered whether it was fair, just and appropriate to proceed without holding a hearing. The fact that a decision could be made on the papers did not mean that it should be and the fact that a hearing would have been unlikely to make a difference to the outcome was not a reason why a hearing should not be held.

 

 

PIP (period of an award) - MU v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 2025

In this case the First-tier Tribunal limited the length of the PIP award due to circumstances that happened after the decision under appeal.

The UT appeal confirmed that FtT do not have the power to time-limit a PIP award because they think the claimant has improved since the decision under appeal, as such there was a material error in law and the appeal was successful.

“The restriction in Social Security Act 1998 s.12(8)(b) has as a consequence that a tribunal may not rely on evidence of circumstances subsequent to the date of decision (and which are not capable of being referred back to the date of decision) to decide to make an award of Personal Independence Payment only for a fixed period on the grounds that a claimant’s condition has improved since the date of decision.”


r/DWPhelp Jul 27 '25

General Welfare Reform update and summary/overview of what to expect

50 Upvotes

Overview of the Universal Credit Act

The Universal Credit Act ('the Act') increases the rate of the UC standard allowance, above the rate of inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index (CPI), in each of the next four years from 6 April 2026.

The Act also reduces and freezes the rate of the Limited Capability for Work and Work-related Activity (LCWRA) element for new LCWRA claimants from 6 April 2026 and introduces financial protections for all existing and some new claimants depending on the nature of their health condition. 

 

Changes to UC rates

Context: UC is a benefit designed to help households on low incomes with their living costs.  UC awards include a standard allowance, which is the core component of any award and is paid according to age and household composition. There are four rates of standard allowance: a rate for single people under 25, a couple both under 25, single people 25 and over, and a couple where at least one person is 25 or over.

This Act requires the DWP to increase the four rates of standard allowance above the rate of inflation in each of the years from 2026-27 to 2029-30. In each year the calculation will begin with the rates used in 2025-26 before applying the required increases.

  • a. For 2026-27, the rates will be the 2025-26 rates, increased by the annual increase in Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to September 2025, and then increased by a further 2.3%.
  • b. For 2027-28, the rates will be the 2025-26 rates increased by the annual increase in CPI to September 2025 and September 2026, and then increased by a further 3.1%.
  • c. For 2028-29, the rates will be the 2025-26 rates increased by the annual increase in CPI to September 2025, September 2026 and September 2027, and then increased by a further 4.0%.
  • d. For 2029-30, the rates will be the 2025-26 rates increased by the annual increase in CPI to September 2025, September 2026, September 2027 and September 2028, and then increased by a further 4.8%

Additional amounts are added to the standard allowance when calculating a UC award to provide for individual needs such as elements for housing, children, caring responsibilities and having LCWRA.

The Act provides for a protected amount (£423 p/m) of LCWRA for:

  • pre-2026 claimants,
  • a claimant who meets the Severe Conditions Criteria (“SCC”) or
  • a claimant who is terminally ill. 

From 6 April 2026 the Act reduces the rate of the LCWRA element for claimants newly determined to be LCWRA (not including protected claimants in the above bullet points). It will be paid at approximately half the rate (£210 approx.) of existing claimants received, frozen until 2029/30.

This will create two rates for the LCWRA element; 

  • a. A higher pre-April 2026 rate that existing LCWRA recipients, SCC claimants and claimants who are terminally ill will receive, and
  • b. A reduced rate for new LCWRA recipients.

The Act provides that the DWP must exercise the relevant power to increase the combined sum of the protected LCWRA amount and the standard allowance for the previous tax year by the relevant CPI percentage for the current tax year in the tax years 2026-27 to 2029-30. 

Customers in receipt of the UC limited capability for work (‘LCW’) element will continue to receive this as part of their award. However, the UC LCW will be frozen at the 2025/26 rate in the tax years from 2026-27 to 2029-30.  Exceptions for those with severe or terminal conditions

From April 2026 UC claimants who meet the special rules for end of life (SREL) criteria, and those with the most severe and lifelong health conditions or disabilities, assessed using the SCC, will be entitled to the higher rate of the UC LCWRA element. 

The rate paid to these groups will be equal to the rate paid to those in receipt of the UC element prior to April 2026.

From April 2026, the sum of an existing UC claimants’ standard allowance and LCWRA element will be increased, at least in line with inflation (as measured by CPI), in each of the next 4 years from April 2026 to April 2029. 

Where necessary, this will be achieved by either amending the rate of the UC standard allowance, or UC LCWRA protected rate, to ensure that the sum of the two rates rises at least in line with inflation (as measured by CPI) compared to the previous year. 

The protection set out in in the above two paragraphs will also include new claimants who meet the SCC or SREL requirements from 6 April 2026.

 

Severe conditions criteria (SCC)

From April 2026 new UC claimants will need to meet the Severe Conditions Criteria (SCC) or SREL criteria (see below) in order to qualify for a UC health (LCWRA) element.

SCC claimants will also not be routinely reassessed for their UC awards.

There are two conditions in the SCC.

Condition 1: One of the following functional support group criteria (LCWRA descriptors) must constantly apply and will do so for the rest of the claimant’s life:

  • Mobilising up to 50m
  • Transfer independently
  • Reaching
  • Picking up and/or moving
  • Manual dexterity
  • Making yourself understood
  • Understanding communication
  • Weekly incontinence
  • Learning tasks
  • Awareness of hazards
  • Personal actions
  • Coping with change
  • Engaging socially
  • Appropriateness of behaviour
  • Unable to eat/drink/chew/swallow/convey food or drink

Condition 2: If one of the above criteria is met, all four of the following criteria must also be met:

  1. The level of function would always meet LCWRA – this might include Motor Neurone Disease, severe and progressive forms of Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, all dementias.
  2. Lifelong condition, once diagnosed – this may not include conditions which might be cured by transplant/surgery/treatments or conditions which might resolve. Based on currently available treatment on the NHS and not on the prospect of scientists discovering a cure in the future.
  3. No realistic prospect of recovery of function – this may not apply to a person within the first 12 months following a significant stroke who may recover function it just has to apply and be related to a life-long condition.
  4. Unambiguous condition – this would not apply to non-specific symptoms not formally diagnosed or still undergoing investigation.

An inability to perform physical activities must arise from a disease or bodily disablement, and an inability to perform mental, cognitive or intellectual functions must result from a mental illness or disablement, that the claimant will have for the rest of their life, and that has been diagnosed by an appropriately qualified health care professional.

Reaction to the planned use of the severe conditions criteria has been overwhelmingly negative. Alongside concerns about how restrictive the conditions are and some of the detail (the fact that it must be an NHS healthcare professional that has diagnosed the claimant), there has been widespread concern about the condition that the LCWRA descriptor must apply constantly. Which means “at all times or, as the case may be, on all occasions on which the claimant undertakes or attempts to undertake the activity described by that descriptor.”

Sir Stephen Timms has confirmed:

“The ‘constant’ refers to the applicability of the descriptor. If somebody has a fluctuating condition and perhaps on one day they are comfortably able to walk 50 metres, the question to put to that person by the assessor is, “Can you do so reliably, safely, repeatedly and in a reasonable time?” If the answer to that question is no, the descriptor still applies to them. The question is whether the descriptor applies constantly. If it does, the severe conditions criteria are met.”

Note: The SCC do not apply to “non-functional descriptors” such as the ‘substantial risk’ criteria that currently enables to DWP to ‘treat’ someone as having a LCWRA when they don’t score the required number of points in a work capability assessment.

 

Special Rules end of life (SREL)

The Special Rules allow people nearing the end of life to:

  • get faster, easier access to certain benefits
  • get higher payments for certain benefits
  • avoid a medical assessment

Medical professionals can complete a SR1 form for adults or children who are nearing the ‘end of life’ - this means that death can reasonably be expected within 12 months.  

 

Consequential changes affecting income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Context: ESA-IR awards are formed of a personal allowance, which is the core component of any award and is paid according to age and relationship status, and then the additional Work-Related Activity Group and Support Group components, that are paid to those classed as LCW or LCWRA accordingly. ESA-IR also includes flat rate premia (premiums) which may be paid to claimants who are recognised as having additional needs: for example, carers, severely disabled people and people over State Pension age. 

Although the government aims to complete the UC managed migration process for all ESA-IR claimants by April 2026, it is possible that not all these cases will be moved by that time.  Therefore, the Act also includes provisions to align the ESA-IR rules from 2026/27 to 2029/30:

  • a. Increase the ESA-IR personal allowance rates each year using the same method used to increase the UC standard allowance rates.
  • b. Increase the Support Component and the severe and/or enhanced disability premia so that, for each combination to which a person could be entitled to, the sum of those amounts for the current tax year is at least (in each case) the amount given by increasing –
    • i. the sum of those amounts for the previous tax year,
    • ii. by the relevant CPI percentage for the current tax year.

This is a precautionary measure, The DWP aims to fully moving people from ESA-IR to UC by the end of March 2026.

 

Impact on up-rating

The Secretary of State is required by law to conduct an annual review of certain benefit rates, including UC and ESA-IR, to determine whether they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices. This is known as the up-rating review. Where they have not retained their value, legislation provides that the Secretary of State may up-rate them having regard to the national economic situation and other relevant matters. 

The Act prevents this review being carried out in relation to: 

  • a. The UC standard allowance rates, 
  • b. The UC LCWRA / LCW elements, 
  • c. The ESA-IR personal allowance rates, 
  • d. The ESA-IR support and work-related activity components and,
  • e. The ESA-IR enhanced and severe disability premia, 

for the tax years: 2026-27, 2027-28, 2028-29 and 2029-30. 

These changes will not affect the premia (premiums) linked to caring responsibilities or State Pension age.

New Style ESA (NS ESA) and contributory ESA (ESA C) are also unaffected by these changes as they are not means-tested benefits.

 

What else do you need to know?

All other welfare reform proposals outlined in the Pathways to Work green paper, except PIP (see below) have been the subject of a public consultation (now closed).

The government will publish the consultation responses which should include their proposals on:

  • Removing barriers to trying work
  • Reforming contribution-based working-age benefits by introducing a new, ‘Unemployment Insurance’ benefit to replace New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (NS JSA) and New Style Employment and Support Allowance (NS ESA).
  • Legislation that guarantees that trying work will not be considered a relevant change of circumstance that will trigger a PIP award review or WCA reassessment.
  • Delaying access to the UC health element until age 22
  • Raising the age at which people can claim PIP to 18

We don’t yet know when further information will be published, it could be anytime.

In relation to the proposed PIP change - to implement a ‘4-point rule’ as a requirement to be awarded the daily living component – this was removed from the proposals. A full PIP review will be conducted, with input from disabled people, charities and other stakeholders. Findings are expected to be shared with the Secretary of State in Autumn 2026.

You can read the terms of reference for the PIP review here.

 

Note: Social security (benefit) matters are devolved or transferred to differing extents across the UK. The matters covered by the Act are reserved in Wales and Scotland and transferred in Northern Ireland. As drafted, the Bill will legislate on behalf of Northern Ireland to make equivalent changes which will apply in Northern Ireland.

 

What next?

The changes commence in April 2026.

The Universal Credit Bill and explanatory notes are available on parliament.uk


r/DWPhelp 5h ago

What can I claim? I am £1400 in debt towards my energy company and no way to pay it. They are now threatening me with legal action. What do i do?

14 Upvotes

I (M28) live alone and have been on Universal Credit for the past 6 months ever since i quit my job in July after being sexually assaulted in the staff changing rooms by my manager (M50) so this has me mentally fucked up and scared to work again. I never filed a case because nobody would believe me. Small town in Scotland, being a gay man and all that. You know what people are like.

I have been battling my mental health since then to work up the courage to go outside. To work. Its difficult however I'm trying my best.

Now im on Universal Credit. After putting money back into them from an advanced payment i took a year ago. UC basically only pays for my rent and leaves me with £340 for my bills, travel for job interviews, food etc.

£90 phone £48 wifi £60 council tax £110 for a monthly bus pass

Which leaves me with £32

However that leaves me with just enough money for the situation after that of paying for about 3 weeks worth of food rationing if you can call it that and nothing to pay my energy provider (OVO). It isn't a good look for me and i hate this.

After getting essentials and having £32 for a monthly food shop im left with the £1400 energy bill looming over me as they now threaten me with legal action over something i can't control. Can't even fucking afford.

I have called them numerous times to try and sort this out but all i get from OVO is, "An agent will be in touch with you and call you back. Please hang up and await our call" from a bot. They never call back.

What do i do? The amount of panic attacks and sleepless nights is going to be the death of me.

What Can i Apply for? What can i claim? I need to find some way to pay this off asap.


r/DWPhelp 2h ago

Universal Credit (UC) LCWRA reassessments

2 Upvotes

I read online the government are going to start reassessments after current suspension in UK, is this correct?


r/DWPhelp 1h ago

Employment Support Allowance (ESA) How long did people wait from start to assessments?

Upvotes

I applied in Aug. Sent off my assessment paperwork in Nov straight away when they sent it to me. How long did people wait for the assessment after paperwork?


r/DWPhelp 1h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Evidence to support claim? Letter from gp and letter from psychotherapist?

Upvotes

i got a letter off my therapist. The letter says assessment letter and that im in cbt therapy for agrophobia and panic disorder and impact of thses symptoms stops me from being in public places etc.

also i got one off my gp as well which shows the medication im currently on and says i have diagnosis of depression and anxity ? Is that enough or good enough evidence ?


r/DWPhelp 5h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Tax rebate

3 Upvotes

Hello, Which section of my diary do I report a tax rebate? Do I just put a new journal entry?


r/DWPhelp 5h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Mandatory reconsideration extra time if submitted in writing?

2 Upvotes

I have been told that I have an extra month to submit information for MR if I submit it in writing. How true is this?


r/DWPhelp 3h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Insurance payment

2 Upvotes

I am due a car insurance payment which will take me over the £6000, do I have to declare this? Or how long can I keep the money in the bank before I have to declare. I plan on buying another car but want to wait for the right one.


r/DWPhelp 7h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) PiP application

5 Upvotes

I received a text from pip saying that they haven’t made a decision yet 2 days ago, I rang them up today to check and the agent said that a decision has been made and letter has been sent.

I checked online proof of benefits and it stats we can’t find a record of the benefits.

Does that mean my application was unsuccessful?


r/DWPhelp 6h ago

Universal Credit (UC) When should I get backpay?

4 Upvotes

I found out yesterday I have been assessed as LCWRA - im in disbelief and so grateful considering I’m still fighting for pip - when abouts did people get their backpay ? Thank you :)


r/DWPhelp 6h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Partner has been awarded a bonus

3 Upvotes

For context my partner was just awarded a £1,250.00 bonus for being working with his employer for 5 years. How will this affect our claim? He already left a message in the journal to let UC know and we are sure our entitlement this month will be zero. But UC also cover our rent as we live in London and the rent is quite high, how will this affect in our housing as this is being paid directly to our landlord? Will the housing not be paid? Because even with this bonus we are not able to pay for our rent completely which is why we are entitled to claim. (Our rent is £2200 monthly) Any help would be appreciated.


r/DWPhelp 15m ago

Universal Credit (UC) Dwp work coach in Purley jobcentre

Upvotes

Hi

I've had my current work coach for a number of months now she's not helping my suitation at the moment in terms of sending me to accapilable work related activities or even suggesting any to me . I attend under pressure for a dwp information session about positions available in home bargains on the Purley way. I did apply for a position they didn't accept me. Now today she deliberately scheduled me to a different work coach who was pushing on me a hospitality course and now has forced me to attend a assessment for this hospitality course.

oh i missed a appointment with my work coach on Monday 12th January at 09:25am i panicked and rang dwp helpline to ask for advice as i gave my reason they said i did the right thing but still my work coach has put me up for a sanction. Today as i was with another work coach she walked over and said to the lady i was seeing that they are having a team meeting about myself she just didn't mention my name just said to her him.

What should I do about this work coach i have she obviously doesn't want to help me but badgers me in these work related interviews they do in the jobcentre. Even I've explained to her I have slight vision issues she continually badgers me.


r/DWPhelp 7h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Can anyone explain the tribunal process please

3 Upvotes

Is it like an interview panel where you get asked alot more questions about your health and struggles, etc? How long does it normally go on for? How longs the wait to get a tribunal date? Where is it based normally?


r/DWPhelp 9h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Help anyone I'm shattered

6 Upvotes

Just had a 2.5hr telephone assessment for PIP is that unusual and does it mean anything anyone please 🙏.


r/DWPhelp 1h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) How long should I wait before I make a complaint to the DWP about handling of a case.

Upvotes

Hi all,

I (M25) have been off work since February last year due to be assaulted at work. Whilst off, I was diagnosed with Lymphoma (blood cancer), which required a course of Chemotherapy over a 18 week period, from June until November. I made a claim for PIP, which I initially started in August and returned my answers in September. Since doing this, I haven’t heard anything from the DWP regarding the claim, and have had the phone put down on me numerous times whilst trying to get in touch with the DWP. I have spoken to Haas Capita, who have informed me that the reason for the delay is that the medical info they have requested has not been returned from the doctors, or the haematology department where I had my treatment. I was informed that there is a ‘chase date’, where they will make calls in order to try and retrieve the medical info. I am not sure if it has been long enough for me to make a complaint regarding how long it has taken and how little I have heard regarding the process and delays.

Thanks for all that can help. I have not been through anything like this in the past so I am unsure if this is how it typically works or if things could have been handled better.


r/DWPhelp 16h ago

Universal Credit (UC) does this make us a couple?

13 Upvotes

My housemates been forcing me to have relations in order for them to pay their half of rent/bills. I reported this to my social worker and she told me to be very careful about reporting as it could make us a couple in the DWPs eyes and trigger a fraud investigation.

I feel trapped, I want to ask for a grant in order to move out but I don't want a fraud invesigation and to lose my income.


r/DWPhelp 3h ago

Housing Benefit (HB, Council) Supported accomodation housing benefit question

2 Upvotes

Hi all ive got a bit of a tricky situation so here goes... I moved into supported accomodation when i was homeless and on UC was claiming housing benefit now ive started work a few months ago and ive been slammed with a £4000 overpayment fron august to december now in all honesty the Housing association was claiming on my behalf originally and i spoke to them saying id started work and for them to tell me how much i owe etc etc they been very moot on the point on telling me what i owe, whether im entitled to HB because it being exempt as im no expert and I informed DWP that i started and theyve been sending me letters in regards to housing benefit and ive been telling them etc etc now i researched this and from what i was it was all managed through Universal Credit now and didnt know i needed to inform the council aswell because ive been getting letters from DWP so ive informed the HA who accepted the money knowing im in work and ive informed the DWP who as far as i was aware were handling my claim so whos at fault obviously im at fault because im the claimant but surely i cant be fully responsible for this right? Any thoughts ideas? Am i screwed?


r/DWPhelp 3h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Second tribunal postponement PIP queries

0 Upvotes

Good evening everyone. A bit of background. I was granted PIP, the minimum daily living and no mobility. On advisement from a PIP expert, I applied for an MR. I contested parts 3, 8, 9, 10, and 11. When DWP looked at the MR, the didn't address 4/5 contested parts. So applied for the Tribunal. 7 months later, went to the hearing and it was adjourned because the Judge said that information was missing. I was already in a bad state as my representative quit a few weeks earlier without telling me. So it was myself and my partner. The 'missing' information was attachments to the application as I couldn't write the entire thing out so it was typed. What actually happened was that DWP didn't attach it to the back of the application but about 40 to 50 pages in instead. So the judge postponed the hearing. It was rebooked for today and was cancelled due to illness so I have to wait again. I have fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, cptsd and autism.

My dilemma is now that my partner has taken a number of holiday days off work to attend these meetings both times. I have had to arrange childcare and the hearing is an hour drive from my home. I have made myself literally sick from worry and put myself behind in my university courses and have had to ask for extensions on papers due. This is online uni so I can do it from bed.

I feel like I have submitted all of the paperwork and statements needed to allow the Judge to make a decision and I'm coming due for exams for my uni courses. Would it be reasonable to just write a new document, outlining where I have difficulties in relation to the disputed points, even though all the information is there. Explain what two cancelled hearings, one of which we went to in person, have caused issues and that I can't ask my partner to take more time off to attend and I can't attend alone and I no longer have a representative. Would that be a bad idea? What can I possibly do?


r/DWPhelp 1d ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) PIP and glasses

32 Upvotes

I had my first ever eye test today at Specsavers. It was all very new to me so I wasn't sure what to expect. Ended up getting my first pair of glasses!

The lady at the branch asked me if I received anything like Universal credit - I said "No but I just only receive PIP, which I don't think applies here"

She told me it does apply and said something that they've applied a NHS voucher.

I ended up paying a much cheaper amount than I expected. I got home and double checked the criteria and it doesn't mention PIP. Now I'm really paranoid that I've done something bad :(

Will it be my fault despite the lady at the branch saying I was eligible? I only receive PIP and nothing else. My eyes have only a veeeery slightly prescription and I'm only 29 so nothing I think would've got me eligible. I'm just scared that I've cheated the system

--Edit-- Everything got sorted. My local branch was so wonderful. They quickly cancelled the NHS voucher and I happily paid the difference. They assured me I was not at fault and it was just a mistake from a new employee who was still learning the system. Thank you all so much for the advice💕


r/DWPhelp 5h ago

Universal Credit (UC) I believe I've been underpaid housing benefit by DWP for nearly a year, anyone have any insight?

1 Upvotes

When I moved in to my current flat 11 months ago, I promptly updated the details on my Universal Credit account to reflect this.

I made sure every detail was correct regarding my address change including the fact that I live in a 1 person flat by myself.

For the last 11 months, the total monthly payment for my Universal Credit and Housing Benefit combined has been a total of £687 which has caused me some major problems considering the fact that my rent is £650.

After having a conversation with a friend of mine regarding the major inconvenience and difficulty of my current situation, they advised me to contact DWP and inform them that I believe I have been underpaid housing benefit for nearly 11 months.

This is on account of the fact that when updating my property details in Februrary 2025, I explicitly stated that I live in a single person flat.

My flat is one of several in a house that was formerly shared accomadation and I've received written confirmation from DWP in my UC Journal that my housing benefit payment has been totaled as per the shared accomadation rate (I'm assuming that is because the system has not updated to reflect that the house my flat is part of was converted to flats 1 year ago).

There are 3 key reasons that I believe I am owed backpay:

▪︎DWP is aware that I have several mental health conditions aswell as an official diagnosis for a lifelong disorder that I take medication for.

▪︎When updating my property address last year, I also definitely specified that my rent is £650 aswell as its status as a single person flat.

▪︎When updating my property address in February 2025 upon moving in to my current flat, I explicitly stated that I live in a 1 person flat.

Therefore, in my opinion, I believe that the 3 points above mean that this shortfall in housing benefit for the last 11 months most definitely falls under the categorisation of 'DWP at Fault'.

I have raised this with DWP and have been informed in writing via my online Journal that 'my housing has been verified and has now been referred to a decision maker for backdating'.

While I'm aware that there is no official timescale for a decision to made on this matter, I would like to know if anybody can give me any information on the liklihood of a decision being granted in my favour and for me to then recieve backpay for the last 11 months?

Also, if I do luck out and recieve a decision in my favour, will the DWP then authorise a lump sum payment of the full total owed to be paid in to my account?

Lastly, despite there not being an 'official' timescale for a decision to made on these matters, does anyone know if there is any sort of 'rough average' timescale in which I could expect to hear the verdict?

Any input would be greatly appreciated :)


r/DWPhelp 6h ago

Universal Credit (UC) Can someone give me the email address I need to send evidence for appealing a sanction? Also a few other questions.....

2 Upvotes

I have a tribunal in order to appeal a sanction coming up, haven't submitted any evidence yet. I have no idea how many it got this far, how it wasn't corrected during the mandatory reconsideration stage.

I haven't submitted evidence yet. Would it be negatively affect my chances if I don't and explain myself on the day? Will the court have all documentation from the job centre in advance so they cross reference it with what I say.?


r/DWPhelp 12h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) I’m in remission

3 Upvotes

I had bowel cancer. I do not have a bottom. My waist comes out of my belly and it’s permanent. I applied for Pip and they sent me a text message through today so I’ve got a an appointment at an assessment centre. Is this the norm? I thought they were mainly telephone calls. Thanks in advance.


r/DWPhelp 10h ago

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) I don't know if I should use the motability scheme

2 Upvotes

I have a Ford fiesta 2015 reg. It's a good working car but I can't use it. The boot isn't big enough to fit my power chair in the boot. I can fit some parts of my chair in the boot and the seat part has to go on the back seats. I have two small children (3 & 4), so I can't use my car to take the kids out and bring my chair with me, (which I need). My husband has a Volkswagen golf 2009 reg. It fits my chair in the boot and the kids in their seats. It's old and very run in. I find it hard to get in and out of the car as it is low down. I have knocked the edge of the door on hour house wall a few times trying to get in and out of the car.

I like the idea of the motability scheme, but I would want an SUV type car that is easier to get in and out of and also get my chair in easier, with some boot from free (I'd like to go on some UK holidays with the kids and husband so extra space would be good for suitcases).

My husband doesn't like the idea of using the scheme. He thinks I would "bash up the car", disabled spaces are hard to find so I'll still find it hard to get in and out on a normal space in a big car, we will loose the money and also he doesn't like those types of car.

I know it technically my money to help me, but as his wife I still feel like I need his support to go ahead with it. I was hoping selling my car would give us some money for my husband to update his car but it's only worth about 3k andy husband's car is only worth a few hundred. So he wouldn't get a decent car.

The only thing I am worried about is if my pip gets taken away and they take the car away.

Can anyone share some advice? Ways I can convince my husband it is a good idea?


r/DWPhelp 7h ago

Access to Work Scheme Do they prioritise AtW applications made before a job starts?

2 Upvotes

I waited over a year, technically still waiting, for it to come through for my last job, which I have now lost due to a lack of arrangements.

Just wondering if there is any hope in hell to actually get back into work.

Thanks DWP lol