LA Welfare Direct 4/2026

Q: Reminder: Correct process for听local authorities听requesting听Third Party Deductions from benefits听听

1. Local authorities ( LAs ) are reminded that there is an established process for requesting Third Party Deductions听from a claimant鈥檚 benefit. Recently,听a number of听 LAs have returned to sending in written requests by post, which cannot be actioned.听As a result, any written request received by post will not be processed and will be returned.听听 The correct email process听 2. To request a deduction from听a benefit,听 LAs 听must听use the approved email request process for each benefit as听appropriate. This ensures:听 the request is captured accurately听 all mandatory information is provided听 the case can be processed promptly claimant details and data security standards are听maintained Further support available听 3. The correct process for each benefit can be found in the听 Deductions from benefit: how creditors can apply 听驳耻颈诲补苍肠别.听 4. If your LA is unsure which process to use or for more听general questions, contact your Department for Work and Pensions鈥櫶�( DWPs )听 National Partnership Team 听濒别补诲.听听

Q: Reminder: Deadline for the submission of Housing Benefit pre-audit final claims and Discretionary Housing Payment end of year final claims听

5. Pre-audit final claims for鈥疕ousing Benefit ( HB ) subsidy and Discretionary Housing Payment ( DHP ) claims (England and Wales only) are normally provided 迟辞听 DWP 鈥痓y 30 April each year.听听 6. The HB subsidy pre-audit final claim form was issued to all听 LAs 听on 10 March 2026 and the DHP end of year government contribution final claim form was issued in late March 2026.听听 7. LAs must听submit听their claims by听30 April 2026听for the听financial year听ending听( FYE )听March 2026.听听 8. Please return your completed claim听form for:听听 HB subsidy 迟辞听 hbsubsidy@dwp.gov.uk 听听 DHP 迟辞听 dhp.returns@dwp.gov.uk 听听 9. If, for any reason, you have not received either claim form or you need any further听information then contact us at听 lawelfare.lapaymentsandsubsidy@dwp.gov.uk 听

Q: Reminder: Statutory deadline for notifying details of a Reporting Accountant for the听FYE听March 2027听subsidy claim听

10. LAs 听must appoint a Reporting Accountant to undertake HB 听Assurance Process ( HBAP ) work and notify DWP of the successful appointment. Instructions for notifying DWP of a successful appointment are contained in Appendix 1 of听 HBAP Module 1 . This notification must be issued to DWP by the LA no later than 1 March prior to the commencement of the听financial year听for which this procedure will apply.听听 11. The deadline for notifying DWP for the听 FYE 听March 2027 subsidy听claim was听1 March 2026.听 LAs that have not met this deadline are asked to do so听immediately, including any notifications for prior years if applicable.听听 12. If there has been a delay in appointing a Reporting Accountant, please provide details of the expected date of appointment.听听 13. Replies to this request should be sent 迟辞听 lawelfare.hbassurance@dwp.gov.uk

Q: Pension Credit applications and awards听data:听Updated听February听2026听

51. The听 Pension Credit applications and awards: February 2026 , published on 26 February听2026, provides data on Pension Credit applications and awards between April 2023 and听February听2026听in Great Britain only. A supplementary release of statistical information 鈥痺as also published, which includes the geographic distribution of applications and awards by geography for Great Britain only.听

Q: HB Decisions by the Upper Tribunal听听

52. Decision Making and Appeals ( DMA ) Leeds is not aware of any cases that have been decided by the Upper Tribunal ( UT ).听 53. A听selection听of decisions of the UT 听are听 published 听on their website. Do be aware that there is an undefined time lapse between decisions being issued and their appearance on the website.听 54. 听If you have any queries about cases before the UT Judges or courts, contact听 quarryhouse.dmaleedscustomersupportservices@dwp.gov.uk 听听 HB cases awaiting decision by the UT 听 55. DMA Leeds has not been made aware of any HB case that is awaiting decision by the UT .听

Question 1

Contact

Accepted Answer

If you have queries about the:

technical content of this bulletin then contact details are given at the end of each article
general content and distribution of this bulletin, contact lawelfare.correspondence@dwp.gov.uk

Question 2

Who should read

Accepted Answer

All Housing Benefit colleagues, County Councils and wider if appropriate

County Councils: Please note the articles at paragraphs听20听to 29,听30 to 32, 33 to 38听and 51听are for your attention.

Question 3

Action

Accepted Answer

For information.

Recipients may freely reproduce this bulletin.

Question 4

Editorial

Accepted Answer

Hopefully, by the time you read this, all your end of year activities听will be听far听behind you with听uprating done听and dusted and听Council听Tax bills听all听out.听Looking forward to the financial year听ending听March听2027听there is a great deal going on听for us all.听In addition to all the usual听activities in the听annual cycle听of business, in this month鈥檚 edition we also cover the launch of the Crisis听and听Resilience Fund听(CRF)听and听an update on the national rollout of the听Care听Home听Information Service.听

I know many of you have been busy听getting things ready to launch CRF听and we听massively appreciate your efforts and听do not underestimate the听challenges听ahead.听We hope all听the engagement听we have听undertaken听with you听so far,听through听all-local authority听calls and webinars and issuing of guidance,听have听helped with your preparations and we鈥檒l continue to do this throughout the听year.听

So,听even with听things being so busy,听I hope you听are able 迟辞听take some time to enjoy听life outside of work听over the bank holiday period.听听

Darren Baker
Head of Change and Communications, Fraud,听Error听and Debt Team听
Local Authority Partnership, Engagement and Delivery

Question 5

Reminder: Correct process for听local authorities听requesting听Third Party Deductions from benefits听听

Accepted Answer

1. Local authorities (LAs) are reminded that there is an established process for requesting Third Party Deductions听from a claimant鈥檚 benefit. Recently,听a number of听LAs have returned to sending in written requests by post, which cannot be actioned.听As a result, any written request received by post will not be processed and will be returned.听听

The correct email process听

2. To request a deduction from听a benefit,听LAs听must听use the approved email request process for each benefit as听appropriate. This ensures:听

the request is captured accurately听
all mandatory information is provided听
the case can be processed promptly
claimant details and data security standards are听maintained

Further support available听

3. The correct process for each benefit can be found in the听Deductions from benefit: how creditors can apply听驳耻颈诲补苍肠别.听

4. If your LA is unsure which process to use or for more听general questions, contact your Department for Work and Pensions鈥櫶�(DWPs)听National Partnership Team听濒别补诲.听听

Question 6

Reminder: Deadline for the submission of Housing Benefit pre-audit final claims and Discretionary Housing Payment end of year final claims听

Accepted Answer

5. Pre-audit final claims for鈥疕ousing Benefit (HB) subsidy and Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) claims (England and Wales only) are normally provided 迟辞听DWP鈥痓y 30 April each year.听听

6. The HB subsidy pre-audit final claim form was issued to all听LAs听on 10 March 2026 and the DHP end of year government contribution final claim form was issued in late March 2026.听听

7. LAs must听submit听their claims by听30 April 2026听for the听financial year听ending听(FYE)听March 2026.听听

8. Please return your completed claim听form for:听听

HB subsidy 迟辞听hbsubsidy@dwp.gov.uk听听
DHP 迟辞听dhp.returns@dwp.gov.uk听听

9. If, for any reason, you have not received either claim form or you need any further听information then contact us at听lawelfare.lapaymentsandsubsidy@dwp.gov.uk听

Question 7

Reminder: Statutory deadline for notifying details of a Reporting Accountant for the听FYE听March 2027听subsidy claim听

Accepted Answer

10. LAs听must appoint a Reporting Accountant to undertake HB听Assurance Process (HBAP) work and notify DWP of the successful appointment. Instructions for notifying DWP of a successful appointment are contained in Appendix 1 of听HBAP Module 1. This notification must be issued to DWP by the LA no later than 1 March prior to the commencement of the听financial year听for which this procedure will apply.听听

11. The deadline for notifying DWP for the听FYE听March 2027 subsidy听claim was听1 March 2026.听LAs that have not met this deadline are asked to do so听immediately, including any notifications for prior years if applicable.听听

12. If there has been a delay in appointing a Reporting Accountant, please provide details of the expected date of appointment.听听

13. Replies to this request should be sent 迟辞听lawelfare.hbassurance@dwp.gov.uk

Question 8

Update: New听HB听Subsidy Hub听and reminder for IP address information by 8 April 2026听听

Accepted Answer

14. As advised in March鈥檚听LAWD3/2026听bulletin, the Local Authority Partnership, Engagement and Delivery听(LA-PED)听division is working towards replacing the PDF subsidy estimate and claim forms, as well as the audit workbooks (HBAP听Module 3), with new online versions accessed through a new HB听Subsidy Hub.听听

15. Our user testing is听now听underway听and we听will be听testing some aspects of the new hub with a听small group of听volunteer authorities in the next few weeks.听听

Reminder for IP addresses听

16. In readiness for the hub being available to LAs, we sent a letter directly to LAs (dated 11 March 2026) asking for IP address information by 24 March 2026.听Thank you to all LAs that have听provided their information by the deadline. We ask that those of you who have not yet responded do so as soon as possible and听by no later than 8 April 2026.听听

Future communications听

17. Please look out for:听听

general updates in future editions of the听LAWD听听
direct communications to LA single inboxes to request听information听and details听in order 迟辞听set LAs听up with the hub听听
direct communications听to LA single inboxes听in the coming months which will include guidance on how to use the new hub and the support that will be given to LAs as we move closer to go-live later in 2026

Question 9

Publication of refreshed听HBAP听modules for the听FYE听March 2026听

Accepted Answer

18. DWP听has recently refreshed and published the following听HBAP听modules听for the听FYE听March 2026:听

Module 1: DWP reporting framework instruction (in England) for the FYE 2026 (applicable to England only)听The Standard Engagement Terms for HBAP, including standard checks on the subsidy claim form and links to other modules听
Module 2:听Benefit uprating checklist for the FYE March 2026听This module forms part of听DWPs鈥櫶齖u003cabbr title="Housing Benefit听Assurance Process">HBAP听approach and applies to all benefits IT software systems听
Module 6: Approach and testing strategy (in England) for the FYE March 2026 (application to England only)听The detailed testing requirements which provide Reporting Accountants and LAs with instructions required by DWP to complete the HBAP听

19. If you have any questions, contact听lawelfare.hbassurance@dwp.gov.uk听听

Question 10

Update: Care Home Information Service and Adult Social Care Director workshop on 20 April 2026听听

Accepted Answer

20. The Care Home Information Service (CHIS) is now reaching the end of the early adopter phase. The work carried out with our early adopter听LAs听and their听Adult Social Care (ASC) IT software suppliers has ensured we are ready for national rollout across all LAs that deliver ASC.听听听

21. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our early adopter LAs. Their time, support and valuable feedback have been vital in helping us shape, improve and strengthen the CHIS solution.听听

National rollout and ASC Directors workshop听听

22. DWP听and ASC IT software suppliers have started onboarding LAs in tranches. DWP will contact LAs directly eight to twelve weeks in advance of their scheduled upgrade to begin the process.听

23. To help with full implementation of CHIS it is important that all ASC Directors attend the online workshop at听2pm on Monday 20 April 2026, where we will outline our expectations of you and explain how we will support you through the go-live process.听听

24. This session will give you an opportunity to learn more about CHIS, understand how your LA and your citizens will听benefit听from this important initiative and hear how DWP will work with you to implement it successfully.听

25. We recognise that some ASC Directors may not be able to attend. In that case, each LA should ensure an empowered deputy attends on their behalf.

Joining instructions for the ASC Directors workshop听听

26. The joining instructions are:听

The MS Teams link to this meeting has been shared in the version of the LAWD4/2026听that was sent directly to each LA鈥檚 single inbox.听(Note: It is more difficult to ask questions through dial-in so, if you听anticipate听having questions, we recommend joining through MS Teams where possible)
Aim to join the event two or three minutes before the start time, as we intend to start promptly

27. Do note, speakers will be muted by听default听but instructions will be given during the event if you want to ask a question.听

28. We look forward to welcoming you to the workshop and working with you as CHIS moves into national rollout.听

29. If you have any questions ahead of the session, please get in touch at听lawelfare.ladsdeliveryteam@dwp.gov.uk听听

Question 11

Update: DHPs听and听the听Crisis and Resilience听Fund听Housing听Payments听

Accepted Answer

30. The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) launched in England on 1 April 2026.听

31. The Discretionary Financial Assistance and Discretionary Housing Payments (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026听were laid on the 11 March 2026 and came into force as planned on the 1 April 2026. These Regulations:听

amend the territorial application of DHP legislation to Wales only and ensure DHPs continue uninterrupted in Wales听
enable DHPs in England to be incorporated into the CRF to become CRF Housing Payments

32. The Regulations also remove the 2.5 top up limit for DHPs in Wales. This means that听LAs听in Wales can top up DHP funding from their other funding streams, with no limit applied to this amount. This amendment to DHP legislation will ensure parity with CRF Housing Payments in England, which do not have a top up limit.听听

Reference documents听

Question 12

Invitation to the next Data sharing and IT consultation and engagement forum听

Accepted Answer

33. The next forum will be held on听Tuesday 21 April 2026听from听11am to 12 noon.听

34. The joining instructions are:听

The MS Teams link to this meeting has been shared in the version of the LAWD4/2026听that was sent directly to each LA鈥檚 single inbox.听Do note: It is more difficult to ask questions through dial-in so, if you听anticipate听having questions, we recommend joining through MS Teams where possible
Aim to join the event two or three minutes before the start time, as we intend to start promptly

35. Please note: Speakers will be muted by听default听but instructions will be given during the event if you want to ask a question.听听

Forum agenda听听

A听15 minute听introduction from听DWP, covering projects recently delivered, projects currently in delivery, insight into future planned projects, as well as the most recent common issues that have been reported to us
30 to 45 minutes of questions from LAs on the call about the projects and matters covered in the introduction and any other IT and data sharing questions and issues LAs may have
If time allows, 15 minutes focused on suggestions from LAs about future data sharing, data听matching听or automation projects that DWP could consider funding and delivering

36. The call will be听recorded听and the recording will be published on听Glasscubes.听

37. The forum is open to all LAs and it would be beneficial for every LA to have at least one representative join the forum to help us maximise feedback. Each LA representative should:听

seek input and feedback from as many of their colleagues as possible prior to dialling in, for example, questions they might want to be answered
have knowledge, at least at听a high level, about data sharing, data听matching听and current IT topic areas
feedback to their colleagues about how the conference call went, including the answers to the questions we asked

38. We look forward to your participation on the call. However, if you have any questions in the meantime, please contact听paul.selby@dwp.gov.uk

Question 13

Secondment opportunities听in听LA-PED听division听听

Accepted Answer

39. Working with听LAs, as one of our major stakeholders in Welfare Reform, continues to feature heavily. For听this reason,听we value the听expertise听and knowledge that LA听HB听experts can bring to the team. These secondment opportunities provide those experts with an opportunity to gain an insight and experience of policy development and听the听workings of central government.听

40. LA-PED听division听has had a programme of bringing HB experts from LAs in to work alongside data sharing, subsidy,听change听and performance teams on secondment. We are now looking to register your interest for further secondment opportunities over the coming months.鈥齖u003c/p>

41. LA-PED听comprises听of approximately听140听staff. The division听is responsible for听overseeing the performance of LAs in their delivery of HB. It听monitors听a range of performance data including how quickly and accurately HB is paid and the prevention and detection of fraud and error. LA-PED offers support and challenge to those LAs not meeting performance expectations.鈥齖u003c/p>

42. It supports a large programme of data sharing activity that is paramount in helping LAs pay the correct amount of HB and is heavily involved in managing change activity supporting the Welfare Reform agenda.鈥齖u003c/p>

43. It鈥檚听also responsible for paying HB Administration Subsidy,听DHP, New Burdens and听additional听grant funding.鈥齖u003c/p>

44. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in听maintaining听and improving stakeholder relationships between DWP and LAs.听听

Personal requirements鈥齖u003c/h3>
45. Candidates should听possess听the following:鈥齖u003c/p>

Good understanding of HB procedures and regulations鈥齖u003c/p>

Good drafting and communication skills鈥齖u003c/p>

Ability to build and听maintain听effective working relationships with听Las and other stakeholders鈥齖u003c/p>

Ability to work with people at听different levels听in the organisation and to work as part of a team to achieve results鈥齖u003c/p>

Ability to deliver work at pace with successful, quantifiable outcomes鈥齖u003c/p>

Further information鈥齖u003c/h3>
46. Secondment posts would be offered for either 12 months or 24 months dependant on the role offered across the division. The posts would usually be full time and based across the country, although no moves at public expense would be considered. These opportunities will be听determined听by business need so your CV will be kept on听file听and you will be contacted once a suitable opportunity arises.鈥齖u003c/p>
47. If you are keen to register your interest and are at S01/S02/S03 and Pay Band level 4 or equivalent, (roughly equates听to civil service HEO/SEO/G7 grades):鈥齖u003c/p>

check with your LA that you could be released, and then鈥齖u003c/p>

send your CV by email 迟辞听laped.businesssupportteam@dwp.gov.uk

Question 14

Practitioners鈥� Operational Group and Local Authority Welfare Steering Group鈥€�

Accepted Answer

48. The last Local Authority Welfare Steering Group meeting took place on鈥疶hursday 19 March 2026. Agenda items included bringing together the administration of HB听and Pension Credit, LA funding, Move 迟辞听Universal听Credit, the听CRF,听supported housing and legacy HB Discovery.鈥齖u003c/p>

49. Both groups鈥� meetings are held bi-monthly (and alternately), so the next Practitioners鈥� Operational Group meeting is scheduled to take place on听Thursday 16 April 2026.鈥€齖u003c/p>

50. If you have any questions听regarding听topics raised at these consultation groups, email鈥痋u003ca href="mailto:lawelfare.correspondence@dwp.gov.uk">lawelfare.correspondence@dwp.gov.uk鈥€€€€€€齖u003c/p>

Question 15

Pension Credit applications and awards听data:听Updated听February听2026听

Accepted Answer

51. The听Pension Credit applications and awards: February 2026, published on 26 February听2026, provides data on Pension Credit applications and awards between April 2023 and听February听2026听in Great Britain only. A supplementary release of statistical information鈥痺as also published, which includes the geographic distribution of applications and awards by geography for Great Britain only.听

Question 16

HB Decisions by the Upper Tribunal听听

Accepted Answer

52. Decision Making and Appeals (DMA) Leeds is not aware of any cases that have been decided by the Upper Tribunal (UT).听

53. A听selection听of decisions of the UT听are听published听on their website. Do be aware that there is an undefined time lapse between decisions being issued and their appearance on the website.听

54. 听If you have any queries about cases before the UT Judges or courts, contact听quarryhouse.dmaleedscustomersupportservices@dwp.gov.uk听听

HB cases awaiting decision by the UT听

55. DMA Leeds has not been made aware of any HB case that is awaiting decision by the UT.听

Question 17

New听Legislation

Accepted Answer

56. The听following听Statutory Instruments (SIs)听have听been laid:听听

2026 No. 148 鈥� The Social Security听Benefits Up-rating Order 2026, made on 2 March 2026听
2026 No.听168 鈥� The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2026,听made on 2 March 2026听
2026 No. 209听鈥撎齌he Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2026,听came听into force on 27 March 2026听
2026 No. 210听鈥撎齌he Employment Rights Act 2025 (Statutory Sick Pay) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026,听coming into force 6 April 2026听
2026 No.听212听鈥撎齌he Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order 2026,听coming into force 6 April 2026听
2026听No. 218 鈥� The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No.听226 鈥� The Local Government Pension Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Member Benefits) Regulations 2026,听laid on 6 March 2026听
2026 No. 231 鈥� The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments, National Insurance Funds Payments and Extension of Veteran鈥檚 Relief) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No.听232 鈥� The Child Benefit and Guardian鈥檚 Allowance Up-rating Order 2026,听coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No. 236 鈥� The Employment Rights Act 1996 (Application of Section 80B to Parental Order Cases) (Amendment) Regulations听2026,听came听into force on 10 March 2026听
2026 No. 237 鈥� The Bereaved Partner鈥檚 Paternity Leave Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No. 238 鈥� The Employment Rights Act 1996 (Application of Section 80B to Adoptions from Overseas (Amendment) Regulations 2026,听came听into force on 10 March 2026听
2026 No. 246 鈥� The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Carer鈥檚 Assistance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2026,听came听into force on听15 March 2026听
2026 No.听254 鈥� The Public Service Pensions Revaluation Order 2026, laid on听11 March 2026听
2026 No. 256 鈥� The Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2026,听coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No. 271 鈥� The Discretionary Financial Assistance and Discretionary Housing Payments (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 1 April 2026听
2026 No. 274 鈥� The Social Security (Contributions) (Republic of India) Order 2026,听made on 10 March 2026听
2026 No.听279 鈥� The Childcare Payments (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No. 283 鈥� The Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Consequential Amendment Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No. 287 鈥� The Guardian鈥檚 Allowance Up-rating Regulations 2026, coming into force on听6 April 2026听
2026 No. 294 鈥� The Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No. 298 鈥� The Approval of Code of Management Practice (Residential Management) (Service Charges)听(England) Order 2026, coming into force on 7 April 2026听
2026 No. 299 鈥� The Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No. 301 鈥� The Firefighters鈥櫶齈ension Scheme (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2026,听came听into force on 31 March 2026听
2026听No.听302 鈥� The Employment Rights Act 2025听(Enforcement) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 7 April 2026听
2026 No.听316 鈥� The Social Security (Removal of Two Child Limit) (Consequential Amendments)听Regulations 2026, coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No. 319 鈥� The Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026,听coming听in迟辞听force on 1 May 2026听
2026 No. 321 鈥� The Housing Act 1988 (Assured Tenancies) (Definition of Legal Representative) (England)听Regulations 2026, coming听in迟辞听force on 1 May 2026听
2026 No. 322 鈥� The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker鈥檚 Allowance听and employment Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, coming into force on 30 April 2026听
2026 No.听324听鈥� The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet (England) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 1 May 2026听
2026 No.听325听鈥� The Renter鈥檚 Rights Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments) and Tenancies (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 1 May 2026听
2026 No.听327听鈥� The Student Accommodation (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 1 May 2026听
2026 No. 323 鈥� The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Savings Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026,听made on 16 March 2026听
2026 No. 333 鈥� The levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 11 and Saving and Transitional听Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026,听came听into force 24 March 2026听
2026 No.听336 鈥� The Income Tax (Digital Obligations) Regulations 2026,听coming into force on 1 April 2026听
2026 No.听340 鈥� The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2026,听came听into force on 26 March 2026听
2026 No. 341 鈥� The Social Security听Contributions and benefits Act 1992 (Modification听of Section 4A) Order 2026,听came听into force on 26 March 2026听
2026 No. 343 鈥� The Social Security听(Contributions) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2026, coming into force on 6 April 2026听
2026 No.听346 鈥� The Local Government听Pension Scheme (Amendment) (Elected Members Pensions) Regulations 2026, coming into force on 11 May 2026听
2026 No.听354 鈥� The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Prescribed Forms and Transitional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2026, coming into force on 1 May 2026听
2026 No. 357 鈥� The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026,听came听into force on 1 April 2026听
2026 No. 370 鈥� The Finance Act 2021 (Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax) (Penalties) (Appointed Day: Digitally Obligated Persons) Regulations 2026,听made听on听25 March 2026听
2026 No. 373 鈥� The Employment Rights Act听2025 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions)听Regulations 2026, made on 25 March 2026听
2026 No. 377 鈥� The Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2026,听came听into force on 1 April 2026听
2026 No. 378 鈥� The Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers鈥� Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2026,听came听into force on 1 April 2026听
2026 No.听389 鈥� The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2026,听came听into force on 1 April 2026听

57. Copies of SIs can now be downloaded from听legislation.gov.uk

Question 18

What鈥檚听new on our HB pages on听扒哥吃瓜

Accepted Answer

58. The following Housing Benefit items can be found on the website links shown:

Document Type	Subject	Link
LAWD bulletin	Editorial Changes to entitlement for Statutory Sick Pay Post Office compensation schemes Changes to the HB overpayment recovery good practice guide Update: Removal of the Public Service Network for DWP and call for volunteers for the new internet-based solution to access Searchlight and Verify Earnings and Pensions A new online HB Subsidy Hub is coming Update: Searchlight Phase 3 Universal Credit data enhancement delivery Update: UC Local Council Tax Reduction enhancements project closure Update: Identifying Local Vulnerability progress towards a Minimum Viable Product New additions to the published HB statistics HB Debt Recoveries statistics for April 2025 to September 2025 Invitation to the next Data sharing and IT consultation and engagement forum Update: Move to UC Help us spread the word: Check your State Pension age campaign Practitioners鈥� Operational Group and Local Authority Welfare Steering Group HB Decisions by the Upper Tribunal New Legislation What鈥檚 new on our HB pages on www.gov.uk	LAWD3/2026
Subsidy (S) circular	Housing Benefit Administration Subsidy arrangements for English, Scottish and Welsh local authorities for the financial year ending March 2027.	S1/2026
S circular	Discretionary Housing Payment government contribution for Welsh local authorities听for the听financial year听ending March听2027	S2/2026
Adjudication (A) circular	War Pensions uprating for the financial year ending March 2027	A1/2026
A circular	HB Award Accuracy Initiative for the financial year ending March 2027	A2/2026
Guidance	Discretionary Housing Payments guidance manual	Discretionary Housing Payments guidance manual
Guidance	Housing Benefit Assurance Process (HBAP) Module 1	DWP reporting framework instruction for the financial year ending March 2026 (applicable to England only)
Guidance	HBAP Module 2	Uprating checklist for the financial year ending March 2026
Guidance	HBAP Module 6	Approach and testing strategy for the financial year ending March 2026 (applicable to England only)

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