Welfare Rights search

Simon Osborne looks at rules regarding the abolition of income-related employment and support allowance (ESA).

Jun Pang discusses new rules in the Upper Tribunal to name social security claimants in its judgments.

Jessica Strode considers how jointly owned property not occupied as the home is valued for universal credit.

A new piece of legislation purports to let claimants try paid or voluntary work without prompting a reassessment for UC, ESA or PIP. Carri Swann uses case examples to consider the implications of the new rules.

By April 2026, legacy benefits had for most intents and purposes been replaced by universal credit (UC). The overwhelming majority of remaining legacy benefit awards have ended, and in most cases legacy benefits are formally abolished. But a few awards linger, at least for a while. Simon Osborne explains.

The abolition of the two-child limit is a welcome victory in the fight against child poverty. Those who have been or would have been affected by the limit will be much better protected. That said, because of the interaction of child elements with other rules, in some cases a newly awarded element for a third or subsequent child might not make as big a difference as for others. Mark Willis explains.

Carri Swann explains who counts as a ‘pre-2026 claimant’ and therefore escapes the April 2026 cut to the amount of the UC LCWRA element.