Two million Brits miss out on £1,500 in backdated payments in DWP High Court blow
TWO million Brits have lost out on £1,500 in backdated benefits after the Department for Work and Pensions won a big court case today.
It follows a hearing last year when two claimants on legacy benefits fought the DWP in the High Court to get cash they missed out on during the pandemic.
A £20 a week uplift was given out through the pandemic to help millions on Universal Credit.
But nearly two million struggling households still on the legacy benefits system were excluded from getting this help.
Those claiming benefits such as personal independence payments (PIP) or employment support allowance (ESA) and disabled people were among those left out of pocket.
Four claimants battled to get the cash and took their case to the High Court last year.
They argued that the treatment was unfair and they should get the equivalent cash.
But the High Court announced today that it had ruled in the DWP's favour.
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The Court said that the DWP were “justified” in their “difference in treatment” between Universal Credit and legacy benefits.
Osbornes Law partner William Ford, who represented the claimants, said he was "extremely disappointed" by the judgment.
"The court’s decision is a devastating blow to more than two million people who we consider were unjustly deprived of the £20 uplift given to those who receive Universal Credit during the pandemic.
"It is deeply unfair that those on so called legacy benefits should be discriminated against in this way and we will look to see if we can continue to fight the Government on this issue to get our clients and everybody else on legacy benefits justice."
Osbornes confirmed to The Sun that they will look into making an appeal, and have until February 25 to apply to challenge the verdict.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation policy and partnerships manager Iain Porter said the judgement today "does not reflect the injustice" of excluding those on legacy benefits from the help.
"This uplift was a lifeline to families on Universal Credit and tax credits, improving support when benefit levels were no longer able to protect families from hardship and hunger," he said.
"It was wrong that households on legacy benefits, the majority of whom are disabled, sick or have caring responsibilities, were left out of this crucial improvement to support, simply for being in a different part of the system."
A DWP spokesperson said: "We welcome that the Court found in our favour.
"The temporary £20 uplift for Universal Credit claimants ensured vital support was given to those facing the most financial disruption due to the pandemic.”
It will come as a blow to hard-up families struggling to make ends meet as a cost of living crisis continues to cripple household finances.
Low-income families are being hit the worst, as bills from energy, food and fuel rise to record-breaking highs in some cases.
Charity Citizens Advice fears 3.2million households are facing a financial crisis, with 380,000 households left with less than £50 to spare each month after covering their basic living costs.
Here's how to check if you are missing out on benefits like Universal Credit.
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And here's how you can get extra help if you're claiming benefits and you're struggling to get by.
We also explain the full list of benefits rising in April - including Universal Credit and child benefit.
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