2. Welfare Rights Training 2014

3. October 2013 changes? Mandatory reconsideration comes in for almost all DWP benefits. Any DWP decision given after 28 th October 2013 means that the person must first ask the DWP to look again at this decision (Reconsider) before being able to appeal to a tribunal. During this dispute period NO benefit is paid, once the dispute has been dealt with and an appeal submitted (Directly to the tribunal service) benefit can only then re-start.

4. For many people on means tested ESA this will be a very difficult time as this dispute period has no time limit for the DWP to make a new decision. So many ESA claimants will be left with no money at all or be forced to claim JSA. If an ESA claimant claims JSA and then gets told the ESA dispute decision remains the same they must then appeal directly to the tribunal service and request the JSA is stopped allowing the basic rate ESA to re-started pending the appeal SWF & food banks beware and be ready.

5. Others who will face hardship include people who have had their on-going benefit stopped for any other reason? Lone parent accused of having a partner? JSA claimant accused of working while claiming? A new form needed to dispute decisions? New form needed to appeal SSCS1 GL24 appeal form should still be used for any decisions before 28 th October 2013

6. DLA to PIP This allowance (DLA) is paid to help with the extra cost of disability and at varying amounts between £21 to £134 weekly. The move from DLA to PIP for existing claimants turning 16 or who’s existing time limited award is ending and others reporting a change to their condition has now started in our postcode area from January 2014.

7. The Government has been quite open about these money saving changes and the transfer for DLA claimants to PIP and has stated that they expect over 40% of previous DLA claimants will not qualify for the new replacement benefit PIP. Since June 2013 no new adult claims to DLA have been allowed with people being forced to claim PIP instead. This has resulted in many disabled local people not bothering to try claiming PIP thus failing to claim what they are legally entitled to. DLA is till available to children under 16

8. Claimant Commitment? Introduced in D&G Jobcentres over a three month period for new JSA claimants: Stranraer from 17 January 2014 Annan from 24 February 2014 and Dumfries from 17 March 2014

9. Universal Credit? A shambles and not likely to come to this area for many years which is good news. April 2014? (Possibly only in Universal Credit areas) No new claims for Tax Credits will be accepted. You will need to make a claim for Universal Credit instead

10. Mid 2014? (Possibly only in Universal Credit areas) All new means-tested benefit claims for working-age people, both in and out of work, will be for Universal Credit. No new claims for Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-Based Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Housing Benefit.

11. Bedroom Tax This tax on the most vulnerable and poor has now gone in Scotland. There are still many local people (Working and not working) who are due a refund of this tax backdated to April 2013? All that is needed is a simple letter to D&G Council HB section saying they have been effected and would like a refund as they are struggling to pay it. Many appeals still remain in the system

12. END Questions and Answers?