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East Sussex Area Welfare Reform Project

East Sussex Area Welfare Reform Project. Ian Fitzpatrick Snr Head of Community Eastbourne Borough Council. Background Impact on East Sussex - report Actions Questions. Project group. Formed in summer 2012

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East Sussex Area Welfare Reform Project

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  1. East Sussex Area Welfare Reform Project Ian Fitzpatrick Snr Head of Community Eastbourne Borough Council

  2. Background • Impact on East Sussex - report • Actions • Questions

  3. Project group • Formed in summer 2012 • Reps from across East Sussex with Supporting People taking lead coordination role • Reporting to ES Strategic Forum

  4. Impact for East Sussex • Incapacity Benefit to Employment Support • 12,400 people claiming Incapacity Benefit • Reassessment btw now and March 2014 • 4,440 likely to be found fit for work • 1,800 appeals with 680 successful • Estimated loss of ES residents circa £5.5m

  5. Local Housing Allowance • Est 370 affected by single room rate (25-34’s) • Local Housing Rates in line with CPI not actual market rents from April 13 • Access to private accommodation?

  6. Housing Benefits • Non-dependent deductions increased • Bedroom tax for those under occupying in Social Sector 247 under occupying by one bedroom = £11pw (14%) 78 under occupying by two bedrooms = £21pw (25%) (Eastbourne BC figures) Rent arrears, evictions demand for smaller properties

  7. Tax credits • 1,640 people affected by requirement to work more hours before claiming Tax Credits • Couple with children required to work 24 hours a week with one working at least 16 hours • Reduction in Tax credits impact on households on low incomes

  8. Universal Credit • By 2017, 61,500 households will be claiming UC. • 23,000 support to rise • 20,750 support to fall • 17,750 same • Stricter conditions and sanctions • Paid Monthly • Payment to claimant not L/L

  9. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) • By end of process 3,700 fewer people claiming PIP than old DLA • 4,100 reduced awards • Estimated £13m lower • Concern over assessment process • Support to appeal

  10. Local Council Tax Support and… • Y1 some reductions but protection • Pensioners protected • Impact on working age • Social Fund, Child Benefit, Legal Service Commission funding etc……….

  11. Mapping and analysis Early findings: • Highly complex and confusing changes • Individuals not engaging • Difficult to communicate unless ‘face to face’ • Pressure on already stretched advice sector • Risk of increased service demand from evictions, Hmls, rent/CT collection rates etc

  12. Future actions • Business case for prevention – budgeting on less • Build on local initiatives • Train wider pool of staff to provide front line • Commission Specialist Support and Advice for Transition phase • Communications – timely and targeted

  13. Questions and discussion

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