[2024] UKUT 196 (AAC)

In this appeal the Appellant challenges the First-tier Tribunal’s decision of 7 September 2022 on the question of her entitlement to universal credit. The First-tier Tribunal decided to refuse the Appellant’s appeal against the Secretary of State’s decision dated 27 December 2020. The appeal turns on the nature of a payment made to the Appellant by her former employer in settlement of an employment tribunal claim and whether it can be disregarded.

The universal credit scheme has a lower capital limit (£6,000) and an upper capital limit (£16,000) (Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/376) regulations 18 and 72). Savings of less than £6,000 have no effect on benefit entitlement. Savings in excess of £16,000 (assuming they are not disregarded) preclude any entitlement to universal credit. Savings between £6,001 and £16,000 are assumed to yield a set monthly income for every £250 (or part thereof) between the lower and upper limits.

I conclude that there is no material error of law in the First-tier Tribunal’s decision. It follows that the Appellant’s further appeal to the Upper Tribunal must be dismissed.

In this decision I refer to the Appellant simply as such or as “Miss R” in order to preserve her anonymity and so her privacy.

I do not consider an oral hearing of this appeal is necessary. The appeal is ready for determination ‘on the papers’ and it is fair and just to proceed on that basis.