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Do you know about the changes to benefits?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hey there :wave:
You may have heard about the changed to benefits in the very near future. I thought I’d give you guys a heads up and see what you think. They’re worth knowing about if you claim benefits at the moment so that you can find out if you’ll be affected.
One of the changes is the benefit cap. Others include the ‘bedroom tax’, reduction of council tax benefit and replacing many benefits with Universal Credit. Here’s a quick summary...
Benefit cap
From 15 April 2013 the benefit cap will come into force in 4 London Boroughs; Bromley, Croydon, Enfield and Haringey. It will be rolled out to other boroughs nationally after until 30 September 2013 when the benefit cap will apply to all boroughs.
The total amount of benefit that people aged 16-64 will be limited. It will work by your Housing Benefit being reduced to bring down the amount of benefit you receive.
The amount of the benefit cap is as follows;
1. £500 a week for couples (with or without children living with them)
2. £500 a week for single parents whose children live with them
3. £350 a week for single adults who don’t have children or whose children don’t live with them
Some people won’t be affected. For example if you qualify for Working Tax Credit, DLA, Personal Independence Payment (from April 2013), Attendance Allowance or the support component of ESA.
‘Bedroom tax’
From 1 April 2013, council tenants and housing association tenants will be subject to the ‘bedroom tax’ (or ‘spare room subsidy’ if you prefer). This will mean their housing benefit entitlement will be reduced if you have spare rooms.
It will be reduced by a fixed percentage; 14% if you have one extra bedroom and 25% if you have two extra bedrooms.
You will have to make up the shortfall to your rent from your other income.
There is on-going litigation about this at the moment because of a few specific cases about disabled people and their need for an extra bedroom. It’s also been in the media recently.
Also remember that the Local Housing Allowance is already in force for those renting privately. The affect is similar to the bedroom tax as you only receive housing benefit according to the number of bedrooms you qualify for (according to the number of people in your household).
This can alll be a bit confusing , but you can find out more info on the changes here:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/news/whats_new_feb13_welfare_benefits_changes.htm)
I’m interested to hear about the impact of these changes on you and your families. Will you have to make changes to your lifestyle, budget or future plans because of the changes? What changes will you make and how will you adjust? How do you feel about the upcoming changes and how are you coping?
It would be great to hear your ideas and thoughts
You may have heard about the changed to benefits in the very near future. I thought I’d give you guys a heads up and see what you think. They’re worth knowing about if you claim benefits at the moment so that you can find out if you’ll be affected.
One of the changes is the benefit cap. Others include the ‘bedroom tax’, reduction of council tax benefit and replacing many benefits with Universal Credit. Here’s a quick summary...
Benefit cap
From 15 April 2013 the benefit cap will come into force in 4 London Boroughs; Bromley, Croydon, Enfield and Haringey. It will be rolled out to other boroughs nationally after until 30 September 2013 when the benefit cap will apply to all boroughs.
The total amount of benefit that people aged 16-64 will be limited. It will work by your Housing Benefit being reduced to bring down the amount of benefit you receive.
The amount of the benefit cap is as follows;
1. £500 a week for couples (with or without children living with them)
2. £500 a week for single parents whose children live with them
3. £350 a week for single adults who don’t have children or whose children don’t live with them
Some people won’t be affected. For example if you qualify for Working Tax Credit, DLA, Personal Independence Payment (from April 2013), Attendance Allowance or the support component of ESA.
‘Bedroom tax’
From 1 April 2013, council tenants and housing association tenants will be subject to the ‘bedroom tax’ (or ‘spare room subsidy’ if you prefer). This will mean their housing benefit entitlement will be reduced if you have spare rooms.
It will be reduced by a fixed percentage; 14% if you have one extra bedroom and 25% if you have two extra bedrooms.
You will have to make up the shortfall to your rent from your other income.
There is on-going litigation about this at the moment because of a few specific cases about disabled people and their need for an extra bedroom. It’s also been in the media recently.
Also remember that the Local Housing Allowance is already in force for those renting privately. The affect is similar to the bedroom tax as you only receive housing benefit according to the number of bedrooms you qualify for (according to the number of people in your household).
This can alll be a bit confusing , but you can find out more info on the changes here:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/news/whats_new_feb13_welfare_benefits_changes.htm)
I’m interested to hear about the impact of these changes on you and your families. Will you have to make changes to your lifestyle, budget or future plans because of the changes? What changes will you make and how will you adjust? How do you feel about the upcoming changes and how are you coping?
It would be great to hear your ideas and thoughts
0
Comments
I've now got no disposable income asides my overdraft. I'm going to be sliding into debt quicker that I can speak. I already have £300 of utility bills to pay off, and a house to do up because the council have left it in such a state.
Council tax benefit is now at the discretion of councils...
If you've been unemployed for six months and find a job, you are no longer entitled to £100 job grant.
If the Tories get in again, they will be cutting housing benefits completely for under 25s.
Great to see the discussion ongoing.
You might like to see the new/updated articles on theSite.org for more information.
Housing Benefit (including Universal Credit/Bedroom Tax/Benefit Cap) - http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/money/benefitsandtax/housingbenefit
Universal Credit - http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/money/benefitsandtax/universalcredit
Council Tax Benefit - http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/money/benefitsandtax/counciltaxbenefit
Cheers
The whole "workshy" is a nasty myth from right wing governments who would be rid of the "welfare state" tomorrow if they didn't fear reprocussions.
There are more unemployed than jobs and most of these people want to work - some are severely disadvantaged, some are forced on to Jobseekers Allowance when they are too sick...
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All this shit, and the demonisation of the disabled that the government have caused is driving me to the edge.
Wish I had some happier news but we've also just heard about this: https://www.gov.uk/civil-penalty-changes-affect-benefits
If you have a change of circumstances it can affect your benefits but if you don't let them know and get overpaid as a result then they're whacking on a £50 'civil penalty' as well :eek2:
Worth being aware of!
Essentially, if for any reason you fail to declare a change in circumstances that affects your benefits, you could be made to pay a £50 civil penalty on top of any repayments of overpaid benefits you might have to make.
We'll be updating our content relating to benefits to reflect this in the next 2 weeks or so.
EDIT: oops! Hadn't refreshed my page between opening the thread and Jo7's post! Great minds
What about when the local council don't update their system quick enough so you get overpaid? Like they have with me twice!!!
Turn2us have a useful timeline on their website: here.
It maps out when each change is coming into force from now until 2016. You can filter this to view the benefits that affect you. You can also sign up to get email alerts when a specific benefit changes.