Social Security Legislation 2024/25 Volume II: Universal Credit, State Pension Credit and the Social Fund

Universal Credit, State Pension Credit and the Social Fund is Volume II of the restructured series Social Security Legislation 2024/25. Universal credit has now become the default means-tested working-age benefit for new claims in the social security system. It is practically impossible to make a new claim for any of the so-called “legacy” working-age means-tested benefits replaced by universal credit.

Thus, universal credit has taken the central place in the volume of this series dealing with means-tested benefits. Volume II covers not only universal credit, but also state pension credit as the means-tested benefit available to those over pension age and social fund provisions for maternity and funeral expenses, and for cold weather payments, plus associated rules on persons subject to immigration control.

As in 2022/23 and 2023/24, no new edition of Volume V has been published this year, as the number of households remaining in receipt of income support and old style ESA and JSA will continue to fall as managed migration to universal credit takes further effect. So a Cumulative Supplement in this book incorporates both the updating to Volume V 2021/22 already provided in past Supplements and subsequent amendments up to April 8, 2024.

As with all the volumes in the series, Volume II provides the relevant legislative text, clearly showing the form and date of amendments, up to date to April 8, 2024, with detailed explanatory commentary, including reference to all relevant decisions of the courts, the Upper Tribunal and the former Social Security Commissioners. The authoritative and comprehensive analysis of many important topics and decisions has been further expanded in this edition.

The editorial team has brought together its academic and practical expertise and knowledge of social security law to produce a guide that will be essential for tribunal judges, members and staff, barristers, solicitors, welfare rights advisers and students.