The sheer volume of inefficient and unethical changes to social security this Government has enacted means some of it doesn’t even get noticed. So, here’s five benefit changes the government doesn’t want you to know about. 1. Disabled people denied a key benefit have had their right to appeal reduced 2. Long-term sick people are having their benefits sanctioned ... for being sick 3. 50,000 disabled people are being cut out of work 4. There’s now a one-year limit on hundreds of thousands of people’s sickness benefit 5. Eviction letters are now including veiled threats to remove people’s children http://www.newstatesman.com/2013/11/5-benefit-changes-government-dont-want-you-know-about

Should a company reduce the balance showing on your credit file even if it is defaulted? I have one company that is reducing the balance after each payment but another which seems to be refusing to do so. It's been defaulted since Feb 2013 and hasn't gone to a DCA yet.

Hi, I am new to this form, and will appreciate help and advise..... I have a buy to let mortgage with West Bromich, I have a tracker mortgage paying 1.49%, Today I have recieved a letter informing me that they are increasing the additional percentage of the interest paid by 2%, increasing it from 1.49% to 3.49%. they site increasing cost of funding to support investment in properties and the fact that I have other investment properties as if they are targeting this group. in addition to advise re my options, I will be grateful if any can advise about; 1. The legality of the action. 2. Has any other borrower experienced such a problem. 3. Any other bank/building society done the same? Thamks

Dear CAG, I have some ongoing repayment plans with various PDL companies. These total somewhere around £115 a month I also have an overdraft with Halifax which is costing me ~ 90/month (next month will be more as I went into unauthorised when last months charges were added). As you know it can take quite a bit of negotiating to get these plans setup. For the past two months I have been receiving JSA at the grand total of £280. My rent is £300 which I don't get housing benefit for unfortunately. As you can see I am already in a defecit (though my rent has been getting paid one way or another and I have been managing to eat and pay electricity etc) Can I re-write to these PDL companies and offer token £1-£10 p/m each until things get better? One of them Lending Stream I have just been sending £5 the last couple of months instead of £35 and they haven't chased me over it (put it is showing as x months late on my credit file). I did contact them saying I couldn't afford 35 anymore and they wanted me to call but I didn't. If I am paying something towards them they have to accept it surely as I simply don't have the money? Secondly this overdraft issue; the fees each month are killing me. I want to ask halifax to freeze interest - would this mean defaulting first? Preferably I get the balance frozen at a point before too many months of charges are added. I don't mind getting defaulted as my credit record is such a mess and will be for 3 - 6 years or however long these things take to drop off. Thanks for any advice

I am trying to work out the new Pension Bills for married couples to be introduced in 2016. The new pension is now to be based on the individuals and not couples. In my case I have worked over 35 years (the qualifying number of years for a pension), but my wife hasn't due to health problems. So I presume that I will receive the new pension rate of £144, but what would happen in the event of my death? would she be left without any type of pension? If she had been working for 35+ years would we have been entitled to the full pension twice i.e. £144x2 because pensions will be based on individuals?

Hello, I hope this is in the right place. I see the return to work credit is ending in July but continues until October? When would the last date be to apply for this credit, does anyone know? Can it be applied for after the begining of July? Also the form for self employment, can't find anything online, does anyone know where to get one? My thanks for your help.

Good afternoon all Prior to finding/joining CAG a number of years ago, the court ruled in favour of the claimant and we were given a CCJ. Since the CCJ we have been paying the claimants solicitor on a monthly basis towards two claims both involving the same account. Recently we have been contacted by a third party asking for payment towards the CCJ. Having contacted the claimants solicitors it would appear that the claimant has taken back control of one claim but left control of the other claim with the claimants solicitors. Having contacted the claimant they say we should deal with the third party. Since there is already a CCJ in place, I am inclined to ignore the third party and continue to pay the claimants solicitors, or pay the claimant directly. Where do we stand? Is the claimant allowed to pass the debt around after a CCJ and if we pay somebody else who is not involved in the CCJ are we breaching any terms of the CCJ? Many thanks for any comments/feedback. Regards GD.

I last had dealings with Parking Charge Notices three or four years ago when I received a demand for money as the registered owne of the vehicle although I had nothing to do with the infringement. At that time there was no legal obligation to inform the parking company as to who the driver was and they had no legal basis to make me pay up. Can some one advise me as to how the law now stands as exactly the same is about to happen. I lent my car to somebody who received a parking charge notice from a Sainsbury's car park for over staying even though it's a free car park. They have now disappeared back to Malaysia and if I don't pay their fine I expect a letter through the door addressed to the registered owner. Can I apply the same tactics or has the law changed to make me legally responsible?

I've just applied for DLA for my three year old son due to his developmental problems. I'm not sure he'll qualify but my Health Visitor and his Social Worker seem confident he will be awarded something. I'm a single mum on full benefits. I get Income Support as a Lone Parent, Child Tax Credits, Child Benefit and CSA off his dad. Do I need to inform any of these that I have applied for the DLA or do I just wait to see if he is awarded anything? (His dad is aware of the application so no doubt has already informed the CSA in the hope it will reduce his payments)

My company has merged with another and the other company's employees have been Tupe'd over to ours but now the management are trying to change some of the working conditions i.e. they start at 8.30 and us at 9 a.m. and we get 3 days at Christmas whereas the other company has to take those days out of their annual leave allowance. Can they change our conditions giving us less favourable terms based on a merger? Many thanks for any advice.

Ensure you're not being overcharged or fooled into thinking the price is lower Two pricing rule changes, completely free of charge CAP and BCAP have today announced changes to rules governing price comparisons rules and the use of price claims that are inclusive or exclusive of VAT. Advertisers can now compare products that may not be identical, but nonetheless meet the same need or intended purpose. The Advertising Codes have also been changed to allow advertisers to make VAT-exclusive price claims, provided the claims are clearly addressed to those that pay no VAT or can recover it. Find out more about these significant changes, including a full regulatory statement, here.

Your Support Needed Before Its To Late! PIP ENHANCED MOBILITY ONLY FOR PEOPLE WITH INDOOR MOBILITY PROBLEMS The DWP appear to be planning to only pay the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP on physical grounds to claimants whose mobility is so restricted that they have difficulties moving between rooms indoors. Those who can manage indoors but have difficulty outdoors may only be awarded the lower rate of the mobility component. Atos and Capita, the companies carrying out PIP assessments, have been told that: “20 metres is considered to be the distance that a claimant is required to be able to walk in order to achieve a basic level of independence in the home such as the ability to move between rooms. “50 metres is considered to be the distance that a claimant is required to be able to walk in order to achieve a basic level of independence such as the ability to get from a car park to the supermarket.” To score the required 12 points to get enhanced rate mobility for physical health problems alone, a claimant must prove that they can’t stand and move more than 20 metres even using aids and/or with assistance. This means that in the majority of cases the private sector health professionals are likely to be looking for evidence that the claimant has problems with indoor mobility, rather than outdoor, if they are to be awarded the enhanced rate. You can read more on this here (open access) PIP MOBILITY CHANGES MAY BE ILLEGAL – YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED Meanwhile another group of claimants has secured legal support to challenge the last-minute change to the PIP regulations which deny enhanced rate mobility to anyone who can stand and move more than 20 metres. They will be arguing that the failure to consult about the reduction of the limit from 50 metres to 20 metres means that the change is unlawful and should thus be quashed. If successful it would be a bigger blow to the government than today’s forced labour ruling. The result would be that the DWP would be obliged to consult all over again on the changes before they can be introduced. In the end they can still ignore the results of a new consultation, but they will face a very determined battle and will have no opportunity to claim that disability organisations supported the changes. At the very least it would set the introduction of PIP back months. At best it could even result in a fairer set of rules for the mobility component. But the campaigners desperately need claimants who fit very tightly defined criteria to come forward to be the ones who actually challenge the DWP. In order to bring the case, assisted by Leigh Day solicitors and barristers from Doughty Street Chambers, they need claimants: Who are eligible for legal aid – check your eligibility here (external site) Who currently have a DLA award including Higher Rate Mobility component Whose DLA award is NOT due to expire until after October 2013 Who, on re-assessment under PIP, whenever that occurs, are at risk of losing out on the enhanced mobility component of PIP because they can walk over 20 metres or so but cannot walk up to 50 metres. Who do NOT have any difficulty planning or following a journey (eg due to mental health, cognitive or sensory impairment). There are other criteria which are desirable rather than essential, which you can read about on the blog (external site) of highly respected and experienced ‘We Are Spartacus’ campaigner Jane Young. If you think you fit the criteria and are willing to take part, please contact Jane via her contact form as soon as possible, time is very short.:sad:

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/forthcomingchanges.htm

http://www.phhsl.co.uk/uploads/7/1/5/0/7150053/universal_credit_-_a_summary_of_key_changes_and_implications_for_housing_.pdf

Hi all, bit of advice need if possible. Today was our first day after being tupe'd over to new company. No contract changes during consultations. However today after receiving new company vehicle, the question was asked regarding personal mileage. We where later told that we are not insured for personal use, and it will not be added at a later date. Our old T&C'S clearly state personal use, with exact amount of cost to use per mile. Question is can our new employer remove this with out prior consultation or will they just use a ETO reason, so myself and 20 other employees will have to lump it? cheers in advance kev

Dear CAG, Many thanks for reading. I am writing on behalf of my father who isn't very technologically or financially savvy. He yesterday was made redundant which has caused us to begin this quest. In 2002 he took out a 10yr £11.6k secured loan with GE Money (that was the easy bit). In October 2012 he finished off paying the loan. During the 10 year duration of the loan, he was in and out of work and managed to accrue fees of £5800. This has built up in a separate fee account which is now outstanding. In the past (when he had been out of work) he has had bailiffs calling and a court summoning etc, which is probably why the account value is so high. They have also been charging him compound interest on this money. Once he had paid the loan they sent him a letter demanding the full amount of the fees account, which he couldn't pay. we made an arrangement with GE Money that he would pay £200 a month. They would only accept this arrangement for 3 months, and then they would review it to see if we could continue like this. This is how we planned on continuing, until he was made redundant on Monday. The property that it's secured against is a flat worth about £110k which he owned outright until he had this loan secured against it. I am unsure if he ever signed up for PPI. We feel that we need to tread gently with them because if they demand all of the money then we are in trouble (which will probably cost more). in the short term I'll give him the money to pay the loan with a long term view of me getting a loan to pay it off (to keep the interest paid at a minimum). We are looking for any advice that may be able to help us out before we go down the route of getting a loan in my name. I have read things about reclaiming unfair bank charges and we could look into PPI. My fear is that by pursuing something like this could turn things sour, with them demanding immediate payment or something along those lines Many Thanks, Sheila.

Hi! Today my PA found a parking ticket on her car. She had driven me to Matalan in Worksop, we parked in a disabled bay and I displayed my current blue Badge. The car park is run by Town and City. On previous visits we checked the pay and display board and it did not say that disabled had to pay. My PA only noticed the parking ticket when we arrived home. I telephoned the store but they said ithe parking rules had changed as of christmas or the beginning of the year (she wasn't sure on the date) and disabled customers now had to get a ticket from the machine. I had no idea they had changed the rules. We did not check the sign on the pay and display machine, it is situated away from the main entrance and disabled parking andwe had no reason to go there because we have never had to pay to park before. It was not clear or obvious that the rules had been changed or that we had to get a ticket to park in a disabled bay. Do I have a case to appeal this ticket? Thanks!

Evening all, Right first of all I am sorry if this is not in the right forum We all know that from next year they will be some huge changes from 2013 to benefits and here are a few things that will change: 1) Council Tax - It's been reported that people who are on JSA Will need to pay they tax out of they JSA, How on earth people going to survive regarding this? it's really stupid and I doubt any people will be able to afford food after they paid all the outgoings 2) Housing Benefit - I read somewhere that people under 25 will get they housing benefit cut, is this true? and also they will need to pay part rent if they got a spare bedroom that they don't use (This doesn't apply to me as I am 26 and I only live in a 1 bedroom flat) 3) Universal Credit - It's going to replace some benefits like: Jobseekers, Income Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits and Housing Benefit. 4) Jobseekers - People who don't follow the JCP advicer and don't apply for all the Jobs they givin they could be tougher sanctions even up to 3 years! I think that is it or have I missed anything? To be honest I am dredding going into the new year, I can tell you now 2013 Is going to be a bleak and horrible year

Please read the following linked post. From 50m to 20m for mobility element It is vitally important people should be made aware of this. The sneaky change of criteria from 50m to 20m means that a huge number of people who depend on their car for working, shopping, socialising and everything else able-bodied people take for granted and part of their normal life, will lose their main tool of independence. To give you an idea of what 20 meters represent, see below: upload pics or imagine this: unrolled. This is it. If you can walk, shuffle, mobilise beyond that distance, you can not qualify for the upper mobility element under the new criteria. And of course, they sneaked it in over the xmas holidays, with no consultations, hoping to get it set in the regulations and present all of us with a fait accompli.

First I must say sorry for the length of this but was given it today From 22/10/12 the law is changing. The amount of benefit you receive will not change. However, if at any time in the future you fail to meet the conditions attached to receiving JSA, the way benefit is affected will change. To qualify for JSA, you must: : be available for employment : be actively seeking employment : have current Jobseeker's agreement : comply with any reasonable conditions that your adviser asks you to do. From 22/10/12 if you do not meet the conditions you are asked to do, without a good reason, your benefit could be affected. : You could lose your benefit for 13 weeks, 26 weeks or 156 weeks ( 3 years ), if you : Leave a job voluntarily or lose a job due to misconduct on your part : Fail to take part in a mandatory work activity programme : Fail to take on a suitable employment opportunity : Refuse or fail to apply for a job which your adviser has notified to you. The length of time will depend on whether it is the first, second or third time you have failed to meet any of these responsibilities in the last 52 weeks ( one year ) of the prevoius time. You may loose your benefit for four weeks or 13 weeks if you : Fail to attend an adviser interview : If applicable, fail to take part in a particular employment programme ( such as the work programme ) : Do not take the opportunity of a place on an employment programme or training scheme : Refuse or fail to apply for or accept a place on such a programme or scheme notified to you by your adviser : Fail to attend or give up a place through your own misconduct lose a place on such a programme or scheme : Fail to comply with a Jobseeker's Direction The length of time will depend on how many times you have failed to meet any of these responsibilities in the last 52 weeks Your benefit will stop and you will no longer qualify for JSA if you : Do not actively seek work : Are not available for work If you reclaim following such a failure your new award may not be paid for up to 4 weeks, if your benefit was stopped on more then one occasion in the last 52 weeks, any new award may not be paid for up to 13 weeks. What to do if you lose your benefit You can ask for an explanation of the decision to stop your payments, ask for it to be reconsidered, and /or appeal the decision. Even if you lose your benefit because you have not met your responsibilities ( as above ) you must still continue to be available for employment, take steps to actively seek employment, and come to the Jobcentre for your fortnightly appointment to verify this. If you do not, you may lose your entitlement ( and your claim will be closed ) More Help If you lose your benefit ( and you have no other sources of support ) you may be able to claim hardship payments. You will have to show that you are suffering financial hardship, the hardship officer or your adviser at your Jobcentre can explain how to apply for a hardship payment. Your benefit will ONLY be affected if you do not meet your responsibilities.

Hi This ones been doing the rounds of late Changes in the bankruptcy procedure, no longer have to go to court / see the judge? http://rnn.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/Press-Releases/Paving-the-way-to-business-freedom-6816b.aspx We will have to wait and see, but very interesting nevertheless

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19731923

Barclaycard are changing the rules on 22 Nov. Barclaycard (Condition 1.3) may not give advance notice of a change in credit limit. Thats pretty scary!. I have one card used only for holidays. If they make changes without telling me I could easily find myself on holiday with an invalid credit card. I'm not one to beleive statements such as " Oh that will not happen to you Mr xxx." I've seen people arguing with hotel managers before and It's not pleasent being caught abroad without sufficient funds. Is it legal for Barclaycard to change the agreed credit limit on your card without notice??

I am 40 this month and am currently on £220 Housing Benefit per month and £202.70 Income Support (Incapacity Benefit) per fortnight, and I have been concerned about the "horror stories" concerning the ATOS reassessments based on their medical examinations. I personally take medication, like Sulpiride for anxiety and paranoia, and Omeprazole for a hiatal hernia caused by my abdominal obesity, ie. I look like a pregnant man, my belly is so big. My knees are also quite stiff, and I don't like resting on them to look in cupboards and so forth. So when I get a letter from ATOS/DWP saying I have to come in for a medical, I just go ahead and answer truthfully, right? If I'm deemed fit for work, I will have to attend interviews and so on, but for a while will only end up with something like £71 per week during the "assessment phase", but eventually end up on the "work-related activity group" at £99.15, right? That sounds not much less at all than the benefit I'm on now, which is a good thing. And I've been thinking about reentering employment for a long time now, as voluntary work just isn't cutting it and I want more money, frankly. The job market is dismal, but I'm strangely confident, for some reason. I would class myself as only slightly disabled, but is it the fear of reduced benefits or having to travel to interviews that are petrifying the genuinely needy disabled people out there, leading to the poverty and suicides we've heard about when they're deemed fit for work? Or am I missing something? Also, does the Universal Credit mean that Housing Benefit and ESA will be all combined into one lump sum per month?

Hello, I'm looking for some advice please. Sorry in advance for what maybe quite long winded. I have a substantive contract with the NHS and I work Monday to Friday 9-5. I have worked for the NHS since 1997. I also have a zero hours contract with the county council for whom I receive a payment as long as I participate in a rota. The work I do for the council takes place during my NHS working hours. (I started this role about 3 years ago). The council pay my particular department to provide and manage this service. It is what is called a joint integrated service. Some of my colleagues that are on the rota are employed and paid by the council but are managed by the NHS so they have 1 contract of employment. I and 2 others have 2 contracts. The problem is that like everywhere, there are a lot of changes taking place and the main one is that they want the rota to cover 24 hours which will mean that I have to perform standby duties, and I have been told that I am required to accept this change. There logic is that there has been a consultation period and everybody's views have been heard and taken on board but the changes will take place. I have asked questions regarding pay and other issues which have not been answered. The management have informed us that they have clarified my contractual relationship with the council as they pay me separately for the extra role, they also ad that it has an 'Unequivocal' relationship with my wider contractual obligations with my main role (with the NHS). They make the point that if I withdraw from my extra role with the council that it would be seen as me withdrawing from my substantive role with the NHS. - Nowhere in my council contract does it talk about any links with my main job. It is very clear in the contract that it is a stand alone zero hours contract where I will receive a payment for participating in a rota during 9-5 Monday to Friday. What I have been told is that I can only leave the rota if they allow me to and only with good reason, and if I refuse to participate in the rota and accept the new working conditions this would affect my main employment. They say that they have received advice from a barrister regarding this! I'm not convinced they have a leg to stand on as they are essentially forcing a dramatic change on me which I don't seem to have much say in. Especially as I have not a lot of choice in the matter. Any ideas please?