The Benefits Podcast

Benefitscast July 2025

David, Will and Maria discuss: the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill; Council tax reduction/support overpayments; Managed migration and overpayments of legacy benefits; The universal credit New Claims Grant in Northern Ireland.

Benefits Newscast June 2025

Benefits Newscast May 2025

David, Will and Charlotte discuss: Fair repayment rate; PIP beyond State Pension age; What Advanced CustomerSupport does; Severe Disability Premiums; ADHD & higher rate mobility component of DLA; All migration letters to be sent by September 2025 in Great Britain.

Benefits Newscast April 2025

David, Will and Sam discuss: Government proposals for UC ‘health element’; Government proposals for PIP eligibility criteria; Government plans for an unemployment insurance benefit; Benefits uprating 2025/26; LCWRA and substantial risk.

Benefits Newscast March 2025

Michael, Will and Pamela discuss; Third party deductions judgment; Erosion of transitional element for carers with LCWRA; Transitional Element Erosion cannot occur in the first assessment period; Evidence for LCWRA element ‘relevant period’; LCWRA Risk NI Caselaw; Enhanced support for irESA claimants with migration notices; Call for evidence on job centre reforms.

Benefits Newscast February 2025

David, Will and Lindsay discuss: Rent arrears deductions in Universal Credit; DWP consultation on WCA changes ruled as unlawful; Visiting Officers and DWP home visits; Specified/temporary accommodation and erosion of the UC transitional element; DWP complaints; Knock-on effects of PIP

Benefits Newscast December 2024

David, Will and Pamela discuss: UC disallowed due to ID ‘failure’; The two-child limit ‘rape clause’ rules; The ‘reliably’ principles in PIP – acceptable standard and repeatability; Housing Cost Contributions; privacy and Universal Credit.

Benefits Newscast November 2024

David, Will and Kate discuss: Budget announcements including changes to debt deductions from UC and changes to the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit; Termination of the practice to issue UC managed migration cancellation / deferral letters; Preventing transitional SDP from eroding when claimants move from temporary / supported housing to mainstream accommodation; PIP review delays / multiple extensions.

Benefits Newscast October 2024

David, Will and Sarah discuss: Extrapolating from non-PIP activities; Means-testing winter fuel payments; UC managed migration & passporting; UC managed migration current issues & resources; Carer’s allowance & averaging earnings.