SSAC: Passported Benefits under Universal Credit July 2011

SSAC: Housing Benefit Regulations: Shared Room Rate June 2011

DSD Consultation: NI Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment May 2011

DSD Consultation: Reform of Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment February 2011

The Law Centre outlines strong concerns about the enormity, timeframe and intention of proposed changes to DLA given the high number of people in receipt of the benefit  in Northern Ireland.

DSD Consultation: Reform of Disability Living Allowance: A Welfare Reform Group Response February 2011

The Welfare Reform Group also responded to the DSD Disability Living Allowance consultation . Of particular concern for the group was the proposal to introduce an assessment comparable to the Work Capability Assessment of the Employment and Support Allowance.

Universal Credit DSD Consultation - Law Centre (NI) response January 2011

The Law Centre responded to the Department for Social Development’s Consultation on the Universal Credit: Welfare that Works. The Law Centre welcomed the move to make work pay and simplify the benefit system. It was keen, however, to highlight that Northern Ireland presents particular circumstances regarding social security and, therefore, recommended that Northern Ireland examine scope for variation to takes these differences into consideration while maintaining the overall direction followed by Britain.

Universal Credit DSD Consultation - Welfare Reform Group response January 2011

The Welfare Reform Group convened by the Law Centre also responded to Department for Social Development’s Consultation on Universal Credit : Welfare that Works. A key concern of the Group is the potential impact of the increased occurrence of conditionality and sanctions, given the current bleak economic climate and the lack of childcare infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

Universal Credit - Welfare Reform Group response to House of Commons inquiry December 2010

The Welfare Reform Group convened by the Law Centre responded to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee inquiry into the White Paper - Universal Credit: Welfare that Works.

SSAC Consultation: Jobseeker’s Allowance (Mandatory Work Activity) Regulations 2011 December 2010

The Law Centre submitted its response to the Social Security and Advisory Committee consultation regarding proposals to introduce ‘mandatory work activity’ from April 2011. We understand the potential benefit that can be derived from work activity; however, we are concerned about the introduction of these proposals and increased conditionality given the current economic climate, the capacity of the unemployment market and local divergences of regional resources such as childcare provision.

SSAC Consultation: Social Fund Maternity Grant Amendment Regulations 2011 December 2010

Law Centre (NI) and Gingerbread (NI) comment on a consultation on the restriction of the Sure Start Maternity Grant from April 2011 to families with no other children under 16 years of age.

DSD Consultation: National Insurance Credits Changes   November 2010

The Law Centre responded briefly to the Department for Social Development’s  consultation for National Insurance credit changes. We welcome the proposal to extend National Insurance credits for grandparents and other family members as an important step in recognising  the  valuable contribution they offer to the provision of childcare in Northern Ireland.  We are concerned, however, that the withdrawal of starting credits may have an adverse impact on migrant workers.

21st Century Welfare: Law Centre (NI) Submission  September 2010

21st Century Welfare is the coalition Government’s blue print for welfare reform.

Work & Pensions Committee: Inquiry: Impact of the Changes to Housing Benefit Announced in the June 2010 Budget  September 2010

SSAC Consultation: Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulation 2010 and Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions Order) 2010  September 2010

The June 2010 Emergency Budget announced a number of changes to Housing Benefit, in particular, Local Housing Allowance, with conversion scheduled to begin from April 2011. Both the Work and Pensions Committee and the Social Security Advisory Committee launched inquiries into the impact of these amendments on  the Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2010 and associated Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions Order) 2010. LCNI’s response to both Committees highlights our concern that the combined effect of these proposals will lead to sharp rises in rent arrears, evictions and cases of homelessness.

SSAC Consultation: The Employment & Support Allowance (Limited Capability for Work and Limited Capability for Work Related Activity) Amendment Regulations 2011 September 2010

This consultation sets out proposals for the amendment of the work capability assessment (WCA). The Government expects an additional 5% of claimants to be found fit for work under the revised test which places greater emphasis on physical functioning to adaption. Our response emphasizes the need for strong safeguards to be in place for those found capable of work that have a disability or illness.

DWP Consultation: Social Fund Reform: debt, credit and low-income households  June 2010

The consultation outlines the previous Government’s plans for reform of the Social Fund to make the scheme more active, easier for customers to get one-off or occasional support and to provide more support to frequent users of the Fund to tackle the underlying problems they may face.  It also details how the scheme should provide better value for money for the tax payer by reducing the number of frequent users.

SSAC Consultation: The Income Support & Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2010 March 2010

The proposed Regulations bring into force some of the more concerning parts of the Welfare Reform Act 2009 which impact significantly upon Lone Parents.  LCNI’s response outlines our concerns regarding the potential impact of the proposals on lone parent families generally, lone parent families coping with certain health conditions and/or disabilities and the potential impact on child poverty.

DWP Consultation: Supporting people into work: The next stage of Housing Benefit reform  February 2010

In a joint response LCNI’s and Housing Rights Service highlight concerns with DWP proposals to reform Housing Benefit.  As part of this reform agenda we believe it will be important for the Department for Social Development to consider the following local strategic issues: The absence of a review into the implementation and impact of LHA locally; The differences between Housing Benefit in Great Britain and Northern Ireland;  Northern Ireland presents particular circumstances with regards to welfare and arrangements to move people into employment; and the capacity of the employment market.

The proposed regulations provide for the movement of benefit claims from Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance to Employment Support Allowance.

DFP:  Draft Spending Priorities for the Dormant Bank and Building Society Account Scheme in NI October 2009

DSD:  Welfare Reform Bill EQIA September 2009

Child Poverty Unit of Dept. for Children Schools & Families: Ending child poverty: making it happen March 2009

DWP Consultation:The Social Fund: A New Approach  December 2008

DWP Consultation:Reforming Welfare to Reward Responsibility  October 2008

SSAC Consultation:Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations  June 2008

SSAC Consultation:Proposals to Limit Pension Credit and Housing Benefit  May 2008

DWP Consultation:Joint Birth Registration September 2007

HM Treasury:  Unclaimed assets distribution mechanism: a consultation August 2007

DWP Consultation:  Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Scheme April 2007

DWP Consultation: A New System of Child Maintenance  March 2007

OFMDFM Consultation:Guidance on the Definition of Disability  January 2007

The Affordable Credit Deductions Scheme  September 2006

Redesign of Child Support  September 2006

New Deal for welfare consultation  April 2006

Social Security (Work Focussed Interviews Amendment) Regulations  July 2005