Welfare Reform 2013
description
Transcript of Welfare Reform 2013
Welfare Reform 2013
Perspectives on poverty from a Citizens Advice Bureau
Why reform welfare?
• Too complex to understand easily
• Too complex to administer properly
• Underclaiming
Simpler & Clearer?
Scale of change?
www.adviceguide.org.uk
www.advicesheffield.org.uk
From April 2013
• Council Tax Benefit (national)becomes Council Tax Support (local)
• In Sheffield the maximum help will only be 77% of bill not 100%
• Working age families minimum will be £3.29/week where one adult in household or £4.39/week where two or more adults
Under-occupancy rule (bedroom tax)
• Housing benefit restrictions on council and housing association tenants
• “Extra rooms” beyond basic needs:• 14% HB reduction for one extra room• 25% HB reduction for 2 or more extra rooms• Many tenants will not realise this applies to
them- between 6000-7000 tenancies in Sheffield affected
Social Fund –national discretionary scheme abolished
Sheffield Local Scheme-will haveLocal Assistance Loans- in place of crisis loans“To provide short term financial support to minimise health and safety risks due to an emergency or disasterUsually to cover living expenses”
Local Assistance Grants- in place of Community Care Grants“To help people establish in the community following a stay in care or a period of unsettled livingTo help people remain in the community rather than going into careTo ease exceptional pressure on familiesTo cover travel expenses under certain circumstances”
Benefit cap- what is it?
• Benefit ‘cap’ on the overall level of combined benefits and credits a workless household (with no disability benefits) can receive to around £500/week for lone parents/couples, or £350/week for single people.
• 350-400 households in Sheffield affected when this is introduced
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
•PIP gradually replaces Disability Living Allowance for 16-65 year olds •A points-based system similar to ESA•Points will be assessed by ATOS in Sheffield area
9 daily activities activities2 related to mobility2 components both at “standard” and “enhanced” rateWhere to find out more….http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/
To find out if/when you are affected by the transfer to PIP:https://www.gov.uk/pip-checker
One monthly payment of benefits
• Universal Credit will normally:• Be paid monthly in arrears • Be paid to a single person in the household• Housing Benefit that has been paid directly to the
landlord, it will now come to the claimant instead.• To find out if you are affected ask yourself the
following questions: ■ Are you a working age household? ■ Do you receive means-tested benefits or tax credits?
Universal credit will combine…
* Income Support* Income based Jobseekers Allowance* Income related Employment and Support Allowance* Child Tax Credit* Working Tax Credit* Housing Benefit
Statistics and Beyond…
Understanding the impact
Understanding child poverty
Citizens Advice Service
We help people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.