NAWRA members have reported via the rightsnet discussion forum that clients have been contacted by a loan company offering a ‘government grant’. The loan company then takes information sufficient to verify ID and submit a universal credit claim without the client’s knowledge, arranges an advance and then keeps a substantial amount of it for themselves. The first the client knows is their legacy benefits have stopped, and they find they are now a universal credit claimant with a large advance …

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NAWRA members have raised concerns about the date of claim for universal credit claimants who access universal credit via the Help to Claim service operated by Citizens Advice. NAWRA has written to Amber Rudd, secretary of state for work and pensions to ask for clarity on the government’s position. We received a disappointing reply and we responded on 20 June. The latest reply from Amber Rudd (12 July) does not address our points. Please send any comments to daphne@nawra.org.uk  

NAWRA will meet at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich on 7 June 2019. The full agenda, along with details of travel, accommodation and social evening is now available. NAWRA meetings are only open to members. Find out about joining NAWRA.

NAWRA has submitted a detailed response to the recent consultation on ‘Improving Disability Assistance in Scotland’. In time Disability Assistance will replace Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance as per devolved powers covered in Section 31 of Social Security Act (Scotland) 2018. The points covered in our submission include: It is welcomed from Scottish Government that Disability Assistance will be paid to aged 18 but we would extend this further for children and extend to aged 19 …

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BENNY LYNCH 5th December 1954 – 31st March 2019 It is with much personal sadness that I write to inform friends and former colleagues of the passing of my good friend, Benny Lynch. Benny passed in his new surroundings in Sicily, surrounded by his family. People who really knew Benny will be astonished to learn that in his later years he moved from Scotland to Sicily and became an olive farmer as well as running a guest house. He also …

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