The Benefits Podcast

Benefitscast July 2026

David, Will and Maria discuss: Receipt of an EU pension and entitlement to “cash sickness benefits”; LL v SSWP (A tribunal’s mistake was so ‘perverse’ it amounted to an error of law); LG v SSWP (PIP activities & driving and/or caring for another person); SSWP v TBW (whether you can add medical treatment abroad to an absence that began for another reason); The WCA & substantial risk; DWP Guidance on extending PIP awards for administrative reasons.

Benefitscast June 2026

David, Will and Marcin discuss:
Claims for UC & the date of claim
UC housing costs element/Housing Benefit (commercial tenancies where there is no written tenancy agreement) & The Renters’ Rights Act
Compensation scheme for people whose legacy benefits ended in error
The Severe Disability Premium & when decisions take effect
Fit note pilots

Benefitscast May 2026

David, Will and Sarah discuss: Disregarding the value of a property where the claimant has sought legal advice to occupy the property as their home; Abolition of income related ESA from 1 July 2026 (with exceptions); Entitlement to one penny of UC during ‘relevant period’ for LCWRA element; Evidencing incapacity for work in UC and starting the Work Capability Assessment; UC and prisoners; ‘Right to Try’ Work Regulations

Benefitscast April 2026

David, Will and Charlotte discuss:
Student loans and UC
PIP mobility activity 1: Planning and following journeys
Childcare element & attributing of costs
Statutory Sick Pay changes
Institutional child abuse compensation from Republic of Ireland
Crisis and Resilience Fund

Benefitscast March 2026

Michael, Will and Pamela discuss: Council Tax Reduction/Support schemes; The two-child limit; Medical evidence and ‘putting words into the mouth of’ health professionals; April 2026 Changes: Effective date of changes; Claimants who will get the protected rate of the LCWRA element; Remaining legacy benefits claims and migration extensions. This Benefitscast was recorded 21 February 2026.
 

Benefitscast February 2026

Benefitscast December 2025

David, Will and Kate discuss: Abolition of ibJSA & IS /conversion of contributory old style ESA / HB ends when leaving temporary or specified accommodation; R (Jwanczuk) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; JAT v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; LAG (by her appointee LB) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; MJ lookalike cases; Subject Access Requests.

Benefitscast November 2025

David, Will and Pamela discuss: Warm Home Discount; Pre-April LCWRA protection; Working age Council Tax Reduction schemes; Getting full arrears of the carer element in UC; Appealing a refusal to revise on grounds of official error; PIP and working caselaw. 

Benefitscast October 2025

David, Will and Marcin discuss: PB v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (vulnerable adults and appeal hearings); The Winter Fuel Payment in 2025/26; KK v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (temporary absence disregards in UC); Closed period supersessions; IC v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (weighing up medical evidence); HRT reviews.