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Welfare Benefit Changes

Welfare Benefit Changes. 2011 to 2017 Anne Jordan Housing Benefits Service. Overview of Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit. Means Tested Amount needed to live on (set amounts) compared to income Excess income? 65% goes towards rent 20% goes towards Council Tax bill

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Welfare Benefit Changes

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  1. Welfare Benefit Changes 2011 to 2017 Anne Jordan Housing Benefits Service

  2. Overview of Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit Means Tested • Amount needed to live on (set amounts) compared to income • Excess income? 65% goes towards rent 20% goes towards Council Tax bill • Limit on rent payable - Local Housing Allowance

  3. April 2011 LHA Changes – Private Tenants • Removal of £15 ‘excess’ • LHA levels set at 30th percentile - was 50th • Removal of 5 room rate (capped to 4 rooms) • Absolute caps • 1 bed £250 • 2 bed £290 • 3 bed £340 • 4 bed £400

  4. Private Rents Local Housing Allowance Limits

  5. April 2011 changes Private Tenants only • Extend the circumstances in which HB can be paid direct to the landlord • Extra room allowed for a non-resident carer Everyone • Increase in non dependent deductions • Full disregard of special guardianship order and residence order payments • Removal of the Baby premium

  6. Non Dependant Deductions • Will be increased over the next three years to match the level had they not been frozen since April 2001 • 2010 deduction £0 to £47.75 weekly Now • 2011 deduction £0 to £60.60 weekly • Amount depends on circumstances

  7. Increase in non dependent deductions - HB

  8. Increase in non dependent deductions – Council Tax Benefit

  9. Housing Benefit changes 2012 to 2013 • HB for Single people under 35 restricted to Shared Accommodation Rate from Jan 2012 (£67.50 weekly) April 2013 • Changes to social housing so that claimants living in a property too large for their needs will have their HB capped • LHA will be index linked and up-rated with the consumer price index

  10. Towards 2013 • Government intentions; • simplify the system, making it easier for people to understand, and easier and cheaper for staff to administer • improve work incentives • smooth the transitions into and out of work • reduce in-work poverty • cut back on fraud and error • Incapacity Benefit to Employment Support Allowance conversion • Universal Credit

  11. Universal Credit • Single Universal Credit to replace work-related benefits, including: • Income Support • Job Seekers Allowance (IB) • Employment Support Allowance (IB) • Child Tax Credit • Working Tax Credit, and • HOUSING BENEFIT • paid to working age claimants • Not included: • Pensioners – but housing costs for pensioners may be included within their Pensions Credit. • DLA, Child Benefit, SSP, Maternity Pay, Bereavement benefits, Carers Allowance • COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT • Exempt and temporary accommodation

  12. Universal Credit – what do we know? • Total Maximum Benefit Cap • Single £18,000 pa • Family £26,000 pa • Those in work will have maximum benefit tapered down using a Single Taper of 65% • Commitment that no one will be worse off by utilising an initial transition scheme • Delivery model uncertain - internet & call centre suggested • Payments will not be made to landlords – including Council.

  13. When is Housing Benefit affected? • New claims for Housing Benefit from October 2013 • Existing claims transferred across in stages until 2017

  14. 2013 onwards – what else? • Council Tax Benefit to be abolished • Possible transfer of crisis loans and social fund payments from DWP • Administration of residual housing costs which are to stay with local authorities • End to child benefit for higher rate tax payers

  15. Questions?

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