Social Security Advisory Committee

A register of the interests of Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) members.

A detailed breakdown of all the regulations subject to statutory scrutiny by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) in 2026.

A detailed breakdown of all the regulations subject to statutory scrutiny by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) in 2025.

Read the minutes of the Social Security Advisory Committee meetings (SSAC).

The agreement between HM Treasury, HM Revenue and Customs and the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

Letters between the chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) and DWP Director of Poverty, Family and Disadvantage.

A report by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) and statement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Read the minutes of the Social Security Advisory Committee meetings (SSAC).

Letter from the SSAC Chair to the Minister for Social Security and Disability about the Government’s Right to Try policy.

This annual report explains the work carried out by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) to 31 March 2025.

An exchange of correspondence between SSAC's Chair and the Department for Work and Pensions about Winter Fuel Payment policy.

A detailed breakdown of all the regulations subject to statutory scrutiny by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) in 2024.

A report by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) and statement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Read the minutes of the Social Security Advisory Committee meetings (SSAC).

Correspondence from the DWP to SSAC's Chair following the judgment in the judicial review into the lawfulness of the consultation on the Work Capability Assessment descriptor changes.

An exchange of correspondence between SSAC's Chair and the Minister for Social Security and Disability about the benefit treatment of infected blood payments received from the estate of a deceased infected person.

An exchange of correspondence between SSAC's Chair and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments.

An exchange of correspondence between SSAC's Chair and the NI Minister of Communities, about their recommendations to Universal Credit Administrative Earnings Threshold increases.

A report by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) and statement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

A review to ensure that the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) remains fit for purpose, is well governed and properly accountable for what it does.

The government’s response to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) report about the future of working age contributory benefits for those not in paid work

This report assesses the future of working age contributory benefits for those not in paid work.

The Minister for Employment has written to SSAC responding to points raised about The Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2021.

This briefing note sets out conclusions and recommendations for out of work benefit reform.

Correspondence between SSAC and the Minister for Welfare Delivery about the Social Security (Habitual Residence and Past Presence) (Amendment) 2022 regulations.

Correspondence from SSAC to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on amendments to regulations to support the Way to Work campaign.

Report assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the benefits system and the measures needed to get people back to work.

Correspondence between the Minister for Welfare Delivery and the SSAC on The Social Security (Habitual Residence and Past Presence) Amendment Regulations 2021.

Correspondence between the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the SSAC on amendments to regulations to support they Way to Work campaign.

Correspondence between SSAC and the Minister for Employment about the Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

This annual report explains the work carried out by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) to 31 March 2021.

This report sets out the Social Security Advisory Committee's (SSAC's) strategic objectives for the year to 31 March 2022.

This report assesses the effectiveness of the Claimant Commitment in Universal Credit.

This report considers the use of public funds in supporting the mobility needs of disabled people.

Correspondence between SSAC and the Minister for Employment about The Universal Credit (Coronavirus) (Restoration of the Minimum Income Floor) Regulations 2021

Statement from Dr Stephen Brien – Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) Chair

Correspondence between SSAC and the minister for Disabled People, Health and Work about The Social Security (Claims and Payments, Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and Universal Credit) (Amendment) Regulations 2021

Correspondence between SSAC and the minister for Welfare Delivery about The Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for State Pension Credit) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

This project was conducted as part of the Social Security Advisory Committee’s (SSAC) independent work programme, under which the committee investigates pertinent issues relating to the operation of the benefits system.

Correspondence between SSAC and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the Social Security, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020

A study by the Social Security Advisory Committee: Occasional Paper No. 24

A statement by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) on the outcome of a joint action point from DWP's response to SSAC's managed migration report.

Observations and recommendations on the department’s emergency response to COVID-19.

This report considers the experience of separated parents and their children in the social security and child maintenance systems.

Correspondence between SSAC and DWP about the Universal Credit surplus earnings and self-employed losses for Universal Credit claimants.

A letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the Universal Credit (Managed Migration Pilot and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019.

Correspondence between SSAC and DWP about The Universal Credit (Managed Migration) Regulations 2018.

A Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) report on the draft Universal Credit (Managed Migration) Regulations 2018, and the government’s response.

This report explores the impacts of the benefit system on young people aged 16 to 24 who live independently of parents or other guardians.

Report on reforming working-age social security.

This report examines how working claimants can be supported into more or better paid work.

This is a summary of the Social Security Advisory Committee’s scrutiny of Universal Credit regulations and the government’s response to its recommendations.

A report on Universal Credit regulations related to the transition to Universal Credit housing payments, and the government’s response.

A report on Universal Credit regulations related to suplus earnings, and the government’s response.

The Social Security Advisory Committee’s response to the Commons Procedure Committee inquiry on the scrutiny of delegated legislation related to exiting the EU.

This report examines benefit decision making in DWP and HMRC with a focus on the process of mandatory reconsideration before appeal.

A report on regulations to update the Universal Credit earnings threshold for exemption from the benefit cap, and the government’s response.

This report considers telephony performance at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

A SSAC report on regulations to change how long someone absent from Great Britain can remain entitled – and the government’s response.

A SSAC report on draft Housing Benefit regulations about backdating claims and removing the family premium and the government's response.

This report examines the support available for bereaved people and anticipates the impact of Bereavement Support Payment from 2017.

The review calls for government, devolved administrations, local authorities and interested organisations to develop localisation together.

This report makes recommendations to help ensure the effective roll-out of the rest of the Universal Credit programme.

A SSAC report on the Universal Credit (Waiting Days) Amendment Regulations 2015. It includes a government statement.

A report on the ESA (Repeat Assessments and Pending Appeal Awards) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. It includes a government statement.

This report is about 'surplus earnings' and 'self-employed losses' in Universal Credit. It includes a government statement.

This is the committee's response to an HM Revenue & Customs request for views on their draft guidance on Tax-Free Childcare.

A report on the Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) Amendment Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014 No. 539). It includes a government statement.

This response to the House of Lords Digital Skills Select Committee deals mainly with digital inclusion and developing digital skills.

This report asks the government to examine the balance in social security coverage between self-employed and employed workers.

A SSAC report on the Social Security (Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance) (Waiting Days) Amendment Regulations 2014.

The cumulative impact of welfare reform: a commentary - summary and report (April 2014).

A report on the draft Income Support (Work-Related Activity) and Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations 2014 by SSAC.

A report on the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit (Size Criteria) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 by SSAC.

Communications in the benefits system - summary, report and response from the DWP (September 2013).

Consultation and a call for evidence about the Draft Income Support (Work-Related Activity) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2013.

A study into the implementation of Universal Credit and the support needs of claimants - summary and report (May 2013).

Universal Credit and related regulations report and government response.

A report on Universal Credit and related regulations 2012 by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

SSAC Occasional Paper 9: Universal Credit and Conditionality (August 2012).

A report on the impact of Universal Credit on 'passported' benefits by SSAC (includes the government response).

A report on the Housing Benefit Regulations 2011 by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

A report on regulations to introduce Mandatory Work Activity for some Jobseeker's Allowance claimants and the government's response.

A report on the ESA (Limited Capability for Work and Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity) Amendment Regulations 2011 by SSAC.

A report on the Social Fund Maternity Grant Amendment Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011 no. 100) by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

A report on the Housing Benefit Regulations 2010 by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

A report on the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2010 by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

A report on the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2010 by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

A report on the Social Security Regulations 2008 (S.I.2008 No.3195) and the Social Security Regulations 2009 (S.I.2009 No.3257) by SSAC.

A report on the draft Social Security (JSA Skills Training Conditionality Pilot) Regulations 2010 by the Social Security Advisory Committee.

Getting Involved: The impact of the Benefits System on Encouraging the Participation of Disabled People in Public Life (December 2009).

Telephony in DWP and HMRC: Call costs and equality of customer access - SSAC’s 2007 recommendations revisited (September 2009).

Rights and Responsibilities in the Social Security System (July 2009).

A report on the Housing Benefit Amendment Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009 no. 614) by the Social Security Advisory Committee.

A report on Social Security Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009 no. 2009/604 and S.I. 2009 no. 2009/609). It includes a government statement.

A report on the Social Security (Flexible New Deal) Regulations 2009 by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

A report on the Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008 by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

Third Party Deductions (TPDs): Time for a Policy Review? (February 2008)

Patterns of employment, benefit eligibility and the rights and responsibilities agenda (November 2007).

Telephony in the Department for Work and Pensions and its agencies: call costs and equality of customer access (June 2007).

A report on the Social Security, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2007 by SSAC.

An examination of the ethical and legal issues of ‘piloting’ in its widest sense in the Department for Work and Pensions (January 2007).

A report on the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2006 by the Social Security Advisory Committee.