First off, thank you to all those who registered for our free webinars on ‘'Talking Debt Down: Practical ways to Negotiate with Creditors'.
We’re delighted to say that our next free webinar will take place very soon. This session will focus on challenging benefit decisions when the DWP says no. It's rather aptly titled, 'When the DWP Says No: Challenging Benefit Decisions with Confidence'. This will take place on Thursday 17th September between 2pm to 3pm. Here's what you'll learn if you join us at the online session:
Which welfare benefit decisions can be challenged
Common reasons claims are refused or awards reduced
What is a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR)?
What happens during an appeal?
Current success rates for challenging benefit decisions
Understanding the tests and terminology used in the benefit system
What DWP decision makers and tribunals may be looking for
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced plans to give families in receipt of Universal Credit a bursary worth up to £4,500 when a young person in their household moves into an apprenticeship. The bursary is intended to offset the income lost under a quirk of the welfare system that means that when a young person for whom someone receives Universal Credit starts an apprenticeship, they then lose both the Child Element of UC and Child Benefit, which can leave the family worse off (as the cumulative amount actually outstrips the apprentice wage by slightly under £100pw).
Separately, a report published in the Journal of Social Policy has discussed household’s attempts to move beyond the UK benefit cap. Whilst the ‘two child limit’ on Universal Credit was abolished earlier this year, the ‘benefit cap’ (which caps the amount of money households can receive in benefits) is still in effect. The report concluded that there was a ‘disconnect’ between the policy assumptions of the cap (for example that families can simply move into cheaper housing) and the lived experience of families (that cheaper housing simply wasn’t available in the area, for instance).
⭐ Society Matters offers a half-day CPD-accredited course on The Welfare Benefit System where we explore in detail all of the benefits available under the UK welfare system, the rates and crucially the eligibility criteria to be aware of, with the aim of helping people navigate this complex system and what they need to be aware of if their circumstances change. You can find out more informationhere.
DWP to restart the transfer of around 150,000 people from adult DLA to PIP, following a small-scale test from September
The DWP have announced that they will recommence the rollout of the move-over from adult Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment from next month (for which its estimated around 150,000 people are still in scope. The rollout was paused in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and since then transfers have only occurred where a change of circumstances is reported or a fixed-term DLA award expired. An initial test of 3000 cases will be done starting September 2026 before a wider rollout.
⭐Society Matters offers a full-day CPD-accredited course on Personal Independence Payment that covers how a prospective claimant can be best prepare for a PIP application and what to bear in mind whilst going through the application form and process. You can find more information here
The government pledges £440m to tackle rough sleeping,
drawing on lessons from the pandemic
Earlier in July, the Prime Minister also announced his intention to ‘end rough sleeping’ which has been backed by an additional £440 million of government funding ‘from day one.’ Building on the experience of the ‘Everyone In’ initiative during the pandemic (which massively reduced street homelessness for a period of time), the Prime Minister’s spokesperson stated that this shows ‘what can be achieved with the right political will.
⭐ Society Matters offers a two full-day CPD-accredited courses in relation to housing. Our Housing and Homelessnesscourse equips housing professionals to deal with housing and disrepair issues, focusing on topics such as landlord/tenant rights and obligations, disrepair and recent changes to legislation such as the Renters Rights Act or Awaab’s Law. Our Making a Homelessness Applicationcourse deals specifically with homelessness; helping people understand the system and how to deal with common issues such as gatekeeping and flawed-decision making.
When Your Right to Live and Work Becomes Digital:
The Human Challenge of eVisas
In this month’s article, Social Delivery Manager Adam Matthews looks at the UK’s move to eVisas, the challenges digital immigration status can create for some of the people who need to use it and the growing pressure on frontline staff supporting them. He explores what happens when a digital problem becomes a barrier to work, housing or travel – and why having the right knowledge and confidence to help can make all the difference.
Podcast | Episode 52: Museums as Community Centres
In this episode, Alison is joined by Keith Merrin, Director of North East Museums, the organisation responsible for twelve museums across Tyneside and Northumberland, from the Hancock and the Discovery Museum to a former coal mine at Woodhorn and the Roman forts at either end of Hadrian's Wall.
The countdown is on for Suitability's skydive challenge!
On Saturday 19 September 2026, our brave skydivers will be taking to the skies to raise money for Suitability.
Fundraising is already underway, with supporters backing the team to help us continue providing practical support that builds confidence and creates opportunities. If you'd like to cheer them on and support the cause, you can make a donation using the button below.
