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The Broader Impact of Welfare Reform

The Broader Impact of Welfare Reform. The experience from the front line …. David Gardner Community Help & Advice Initiative (CHAI). CHAI. Third Sector Charity since 1997 Edinburgh & Lothians Social Welfare Advice & Support Housing / Tenancy Support Advice, Information & Representation

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The Broader Impact of Welfare Reform

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  1. The Broader Impact of Welfare Reform The experience from the front line … David Gardner Community Help & Advice Initiative (CHAI)

  2. CHAI • Third Sector Charity since 1997 • Edinburgh & Lothians • Social Welfare Advice & Support • Housing / Tenancy Support • Advice, Information & Representation • Addictions Recovery Services • Youth / Community Work • Furniture Recycling

  3. Service Focus • Income Maximisation • Tenancy Sustainment • Homelessness Prevention • Addictions Recovery • Employability

  4. Welfare Reform: a process … • Incapacity Re-assessment • Budget Spending Reviews • Welfare Reform Act 2012 • PIP • Universal Credit • Sanctions • Mandatory Reconsideration / Appeals

  5. Impact on people and communities • Incapacity & the Work Capability Assessment • ‘Impersonal… insufficiently nuanced’ • Stress on claimant • Financial Hardship • Revolving Door

  6. Impact on people & communities • Sanctions • Decision-making • Income / Food Crisis • Mandatory Reconsideration • Additional hurdle? • Impact on ESA claimants

  7. Universal Credit • Payment model • Single Payment to household • Monthly, in arrears • Includes Housing Costs (Direct Payment) • Alternative Payment Arrangements

  8. Housing Benefit Direct Payments Demonstration • Piloted across 6 areas in 2013 • Dunedin Canmore Housing: Scottish Pilot • Approx. 1,800 tenants • CHAI commissioned to provide support • 1 Full-time Support Worker – 6 months • 97 referrals (60% engagement rate)

  9. Key lessons … • How little landlords actually know about their tenants • Relevance of Assessment Tool • “But, I don’t pay rent” • Significant number of unbanked tenants

  10. Tenant attitudes to Direct Payment • Extra hassle • Concerns about temptation Eviction • “What’s the point?” • Anxiety over financial products • Most reassured when given advice/support

  11. Tenant behaviour • Rent Collection • Average 92% (Dec 2012) • Average 94% (May / Dec 2013) • HB Switchbacks: 26% • Pattern of ‘part-payment’ rather than ‘non-payment’ • Some astute financial decision making

  12. Mitigating the worst impacts • Advice & Support: early intervention • Joint Working • NHS • Local Authorities • RSLs • Third Sector

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