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Landlords Forum. Welfare Reform & Council Tax Support 13 th February 2013. Jackie Hankins Welfare Rights Manager Neath Port Talbot CBC. Background. £18 billion cuts to benefits nationally from 2011 to 2014 – announced in June 2010.
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Landlords Forum Welfare Reform & Council Tax Support 13th February 2013
Jackie Hankins • Welfare Rights Manager • Neath Port Talbot CBC
Background • £18 billion cuts to benefits nationally from 2011 to 2014 – announced in June 2010. • From April 2011 annual increases in benefit rates have been in line with Consumer Prices Index (CPI) , rather than as previously Retail Price Index (RPI). • This is a direct cut and accounts for 35% of the £18 billion savings. • Recent announcement that most working age benefits will only increase by 1%
Housing Benefit • There have been a range of Housing Benefit changes from April 2011 which will continue to be implemented throughout 2012 and 2013 • Increase in non dependant deductions – amounts that reduce the H.B/L.H.A payable when there is an adult who is not your partner living in your household. These increased substantially in April 2011 by an average of 20% and will continue to increase each year • NB. – If the tenant or partner receive DLA care component or Attendance Allowance these will not apply
LHA maximum restricted to 4 bedroom rate – regardless of how many bedrooms you actually have • An additional room allowed for a non resident carer – an extra room will be paid for through LHA in respect of a non resident live in carer • LHA rates reduced across the board – LHA rates have been fixed at a lower level which means that less properties will be affordable. • Increase in age of those subject to LHA at single room rate – from January 2012 the single room rent rate only is payable to all single claimants up to age of 35
Payments for housing costs to be part of Universal Credit • H.B. will cease to exist as a separate benefit when Universal Credit is introduced. • Housing costs will form part of this calculation. Existing claimants will continue to receive H.B until they are transferred
Benefit Cap • Overall limit on the amount of benefit a family can receive £500 pw / £350 pw. • Will take form of a cut in Housing Benefit to be implemented at a date in 2013, yet to be determined.. • Will affect those in expensive accommodation and large families. • Very few people in NPT will be affected • Welfare rights and benefits working in partnership are making contact with everyone affected.
Council Tax Benefit • Being abolished in current form from April 2013 • New scheme has been devised by the WG – administered by LA. • Council Tax Reduction Scheme. • 10% reduction in money received by WG for this but for 2013/14 no reduction will be made to individual claimants. • Position in future years remains unclear.
Universal Credit • Universal Credit is being introduced from 2013 up to 2017 to replace the six main means-tested benefits below. • Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Related ESA, Income Based JSA, Income Support, Working Tax Credit.
Aim is for simpler system to increase work incentives. • Administered by DWP only but HMRC are involved in supplying PAYE information with ‘real time’ IT system. • Claims are likely to be online – problems with access to internet for some clients. • One monthly payment in arrears to cover all living and housing costs!
Discretionary Housing Payments • Natasha Hart – Housing Options Benefits & Financial Inclusion Officer