Universal Credit (UC) is now available in all Jobcentres within the UK. More and more people are being asked to claim it, or transfer over to it from other previous benefits. As it’s a new scheme and may cause confusion, we’ve put together a list of questions and answers that you might find useful. If…
A new government backed scheme has launched to give those with debt some Breathing Space (the Debt Respite Scheme). It aims to help over 700,000 people struggling this year in England and Wales. The scheme will give those eligible 60 days to get their finances in order with certain legal protections. There will be no…
The convenience of online shopping is unmatched. Browse and buy from the comfort of your own home? Amazing. Click and collect while you’re out and about? Incredible. But it does leave you open to online scams. We’d like to give you some advice on how to avoid scammers and keep yourself safe online. Are they…
Being a private and independent advice centre, we run a little differently from others. So, naturally questions arise quickly and often. Take a look below to see if we can answer those queries quickly! What do we give advice on? London Advice Centre offer guidance and consultation on a wide range of issues. The main…
Furlough Overview At its peak, furlough was maintaining 5.1 million jobs (January 2021) (now approximately 3.4m). Over 11.5 million jobs have been supported (most recent figures from 30th April 2021 – via gov.uk) since the scheme began in March 2020. Costing an estimated £66bn, the scheme has protected millions of jobs, but it is due…
The rental property eviction ban ended on 1st June. The renting housing eviction ban was lifted on 1st June 2021.If you’re case has reached the stage where a bailiff-enforced eviction is possible, you can be issued with only 2 weeks’ notice of a housing eviction date. Bailiffs were asked not to evict you if you…
As lockdown restrictions continue to ease with an end date of July 19th in sight, ‘normal’, or the ‘new normal’, is beginning to return. A key part of this being the return to work There’s no doubt that the past year has caused stress on everyone’s life and coronavirus will have lasting effects on everyone….
The return to work As life is returning to normal, workplaces are reopening and businesses are encouraging employees to get back into the office. But we’ll now be working with the ‘new normal’ and some may not be ready for the return to work. This post will give you a few tips on safely reopening…
Everyone goes through tough times in their life, London Advice Centre believes no one should suffer alone. We will guide and support you to ensure you get the correct advice for what you are entitled to. We at London Advice Centre would like to offer you the knowledge and guidance to navigate your problems. No…
Personal independence payment (PIP) was introduced on the same day as universal credit back in 2013 and PIP is now the main disability benefit for working age claimants.
The DWP’s record of PIP decision-making accuracy is possibly the worst of all social security benefits, with nearly 70% of appealed decisions reversed by tribunal judges in favour of claimants. On the downside, many claimants elect not to appeal poor refusal decisions.
This training course looks at how to ensure that a PIP revision or appeal should work to the best advantage of claimants. A good PIP challenge means getting the PIP entitlement arguments right.
A well-argued and well-structured revision or appeal should also mean fewer improper refusals. In this way, many claimants will not have to wait 6 months or so before having to go through a formal PIP hearing. To help achieve the best level of success at challenge, this course looks at the full use of available PIP regulations, case law and guidance.
This training course explains how the universal credit (UC) ‘Complex Needs’ rules work, who is covered, and what this should mean for UC claimants. It also covers how you can ensure the Department for Work and Pensions recognises ‘Complex Needs’ status.
The course covers:
This course summarises how the personal independence payment (PIP) claim process or ‘journey’ works and the importance of the PIP2 questionnaire.
It looks at what makes a good PIP claim, and also at the limitations of the PIP2 questionnaire. We look how it can be optimised using the regulations, guidance and case law.
The course covers:
This course is essential for anyone who wants to challenge decisions of the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) effectively. The main aim of the course is to give you an understanding of what is an error of law, and practice in finding errors of law in the First-tier Tribunal statement of reasons.
The course covers:
This course is aimed at advisers with knowledge and experience of being able to find relevant law.
This course gives a basic grounding in representing clients at the First-tier Tribunal. Through mock tribunals, participants gain experience in a safe environment where there is nothing to lose.
The course covers:
This course is aimed at advisers with a working knowledge of benefits and little or no experience of representing at tribunals.