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Guidance

LA Welfare Direct 8/2026

Updated 6 August 2026

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/la-welfare-direct-bulletins-2026/la-welfare-direct-82026

Contact

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

Who should read

All Housing Benefit colleagues, County Councils (see contents) and wider if appropriate.

Action

For information.

County Councils: Please note the articles at paragraphs 6 to 11 and 12 to 16 are for your attention.

Recipients may freely reproduce this bulletin.

Editorial

I wouldn’t want to break from tradition in starting the editorial with comments about the weather, the usual constant change gives us lots to comment on. However, with the constant heat of late resulting in wildfires I hope those affected are safe and the situation is quickly resolved.

When writing the editorial I always reflect on, and am always amazed by, the extensive collaboration and how much we all achieve working this way. There are challenges and in my opinion we all challenge each other very effectively, delivering the results needed and collectively overcoming the obstacles along the way. Keeping each other informed, providing constructive feedback and generally working to ensure we can all effectively deliver underpins how we all approach the day job. Thank you for continually engaging and making this happen.

The Care Home Information Service is an excellent example and an update is included in this month’s edition.

Updates also within this edition include local authority performance, relationships and engagement, which supports this theme and I would encourage you all to reach out to ensure we have the opportunity to provide support and engagement to try improve by working together.

Similarly, the article on Practitioners’ Operational Group and Local Authority Welfare Steering Group highlights how we work together (and additionally through the Local Authority Funding Group focused on financial matters). Please carry on supporting us by continuing to engage and provide feedback through all the normal channels.

I hope you are able to take time to rest and enjoy the summer during the holiday period.

Tracy Williams,

Head of Local Authority Funding, Analysis, Business Insight and Statistics Team,

Local Authority Partnership, Engagement and Delivery division.

1. As you may be aware, the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) team in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made changes to the Recommended Review Period (RRP) extending the end date of current PIP awards to introduce a minimum 3-year review period.

2. The process of changing the RRP commenced on 16 June 2026 and resulted in a significant increase in the number of Automated Transfer to Local Authority Systems (ATLAS) alerts for PIP and other affected benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance.

3. The process of extending these awards has now been completed and the volume of PIP ATLAS notifications should return to normal levels.

4. The Local Authority Partnership, Engagement and Delivery (LA-PED) division is working with internal colleagues to enhance our communication approach, with the aim of providing earlier notification of similar activities in future to allow local authorities (LAs) to plan effectively for any potential impacts.

5. If you have any queries, please contact lawelfare.changemanagementoffice@dwp.gov.uk.

Employment and Support Allowance LA17 submission email address change

6. LAs are advised that the email address previously used for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) LA17 submissions, norwich.scesachanges@dwp.gov.uk, is no longer in use.

7. There is no change to the existing LA17 process or to the information LAs are required to provide (as outlined in LAWD4/2024). The only change is the email address used to submit ESA LA17 notifications.

8. With immediate effect, LAs should send ESA LA17 submissions to esaclaimsmaintenance.hub3@dwp.gov.uk.

9. LAs should update any internal guidance, procedures and contact lists to reflect this change. This will help ensure submissions are received and processed promptly. Please note the new inbox should be used for ESA LA17 submissions only.

10. Any ESA LA17 submissions sent to the former mailbox may not be received, which could result in delays or submissions not being actioned.

11. For any further questions or support, please contact lawelfare.changemanagementoffice@dwp.gov.uk.

Update: Care Home Information Service

12. The Care Home Information Service (CHIS) is continuing to be rolled out to all LAs who deliver Adult Social Care (ASC), with a number of LAs already successfully sharing data with DWP.

13. LA-PED is working closely with ASC suppliers to agree CHIS implementation timescales for each LA, in line with planned supplier system upgrades.

14. Over the coming weeks, LA-PED will contact LAs to provide more information about CHIS, outline implementation requirements and discuss next steps. Supplier representatives will also be available to answer any system-related questions. This joint approach is intended to reduce disruption and help make the move to CHIS straightforward.

15. As CHIS implementation includes both operational and technical elements, we encourage LAs to include representatives from both ASC and IT teams in these discussions. This will help us better understand local ways of working, identify any specific requirements and work together to plan each successful rollout.

16. We will continue to provide updates through the LAWD bulletin. In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like more information, please email lawelfare.ladsdeliveryteam@dwp.gov.uk.

LA performance, relationships and engagement

17. The Performance Development Team (PDT) is evolving to strengthen how we support LAs in a changing landscape, ensuring the continued delivery of high quality services. These changes are designed to enhance collaboration and provide a more responsive, targeted approach to your needs.

18. As you may be aware, there have been several recent changes to Performance Relationship Manager (PRM) allocations across LAs. Further adjustments are expected over the coming months as staff return to the team. Your PRM remains your primary point of contact for relationship management and performance discussions.

Our approach to engagement moving forward

19. To help us maintain effective engagement and ensure our records remain accurate and up to date, we are undertaking a review of designated leads across all LAs. We will be contacting authorities shortly to confirm key contacts.

20. As we move forward, the level of direct engagement will continue to be tailored to focus on where it adds the greatest value:

  • Written communications

    • Regular updates for all LAs through written channels, including the LAWD bulletin and Glasscubes.

    • The reinstatement of Housing Benefit Award Accuracy (HBAA) Initiative performance letters for the financial year ending (FYE) March 2027, in response to feedback from LAs.

    • HBAA indicator performance letters will remain paused while improvements are made to the underlying data. We will provide further updates as this work progresses. We will also continue to identify and share good practice across LAs to support LA delivery.

  • Targeted support where it matters most

    • LAs requiring additional support, or performing below expected levels, will continue to receive regular contact from their PRM and PDT consultants. The frequency and nature of engagement will be agreed with individual authorities based on need.

  • Streamlined engagement for stable performance

    • Authorities with no current performance concerns, or no specific requests for support, will be engaged through a combination of quarterly calls and regular correspondence. This approach will ensure you remain informed while enabling resources to be focused where they are most needed.

    • This model does not reduce the availability of support and LAs can request additional engagement at any time.

Impact of Local Government Reorganisation (England Only)

21. We recognise that ongoing or upcoming Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) may affect LA structures, responsibilities and performance reporting. These changes may influence engagement arrangements and resource allocation.

22. PDT will work closely with affected LAs to understand local impacts and adapt our support accordingly, ensuring continuity and minimising disruption during periods of transition. In our experience, support for LAs should commence at the earliest opportunity to ensure the risk to the customer experience is minimised, for example, helping to deliver standard operating models from day one and well before any form of IT system rationalisation.

Benefits for LAs

23. These changes are intended to deliver the following benefits:

  • improved communication – regular written updates to keep all authorities informed and aligned
  • targeted support – tailored and proactive assistance for authorities requiring additional help
  • greater efficiency – engagement focused where it delivers the greatest impact.
  • a future-ready approach – increased flexibility to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities

24. We value our partnership with every LA and would like to reassure you that these changes form part of a wider programme of continuous improvement.

25. An updated Housing Benefit (HB) Adjudication and Operations circular for the FYE March 2027 will be issued shortly, providing details of HB operational information, performance support and engagement. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact lawelfareprm.pdt@dwp.gov.uk and we will be happy to discuss them with you.

General enquiries and consultancy support

26. For performance-related enquiries that are not specific to communication with your PRM, please also contact lawelfareprm.pdt@dwp.gov.uk. This allows us to monitor enquiries effectively and better understand how we can support LAs.

27. Consultancy support will continue on a business-as-usual basis, ensuring continuity for specialist needs.

Practitioners’ Operational Group and Local Authority Welfare Steering Group

28. The last Local Authority Welfare Steering Group meeting took place on 16 July 2026. Agenda items included LA funding, bringing the administration together for HB and Pension Credit, the Crisis and Resilience Fund and LGR.

29. Both groups’ meetings are held bi-monthly (and alternately), so the next Practitioners’ Operational Group meeting is scheduled to take place on 20 August 2026.

30. If you have any questions regarding topics raised at these consultation groups, email lawelfare.correspondence@dwp.gov.uk.  

HB Decisions by the Upper Tribunal

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

32. You can read all Decisions of the UT on their website. Do be aware that there is an undefined time lapse between decisions being issued and their appearance on the website.

HB cases awaiting decision by the UT

33. DMA Leeds have not been made aware of any case that is awaiting decision by the UT, since our previous LAWD entry in July 2026.

34. If you have any queries about appeals before the UT Judges or courts, contact us by email at quarryhouse.dmaleedscustomersupportservices@dwp.gov.uk.

New legislation

35. The following Statutory Instruments (SIs) have been laid:

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

What’s new on our HB pages on GOV.UK

37. The following items can be found on the website link shown:

Document Type Subject Link
LAWD bulletin Editorial, Closure of Working Age Housing Benefit, HB Matching Service Working Age rules to be decommissioned, Update: Identifying Local Vulnerability, Update: Publishing of HB speed of processing statistics, Invitation to the next Data sharing and IT consultation and engagement forum, Practitioners’ Operational Group and Local Authority Welfare Steering Group, HB Decisions by the Upper Tribunal, New Legislation, What’s new on our HB pages on www.gov.uk. LAWD7/2026
Adjudication and operations circular The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Disability and Carer Benefits) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2026 A7/2026.
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