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Welfare Reform update Pippa Bell, Policy Officer, National Housing Federation 5 th August 2013

Welfare Reform update Pippa Bell, Policy Officer, National Housing Federation 5 th August 2013. Recent announcements. Universal Credit roll out From Oct 2013 new UC claims in Hammersmith, Rugby, Bath, Harrogate, Shotton and Inverness Arrears trigger 2 month automatic trigger

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Welfare Reform update Pippa Bell, Policy Officer, National Housing Federation 5 th August 2013

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  1. Welfare Reform update Pippa Bell, Policy Officer, National Housing Federation 5th August 2013

  2. Recent announcements • Universal Credit roll out • From Oct 2013 new UC claims in Hammersmith, Rugby, Bath, Harrogate, Shotton and Inverness • Arrears trigger • 2 month automatic trigger • 1 month conversation • DWP to work with landlords to identify need for direct payment

  3. Key issues • Exempt accommodation • Older people and sheltered housing • Vulnerable tenants in general needs

  4. Are you ‘exempt’? Care support or supervision? Are you a landlord? Minimal support? HA Charity Not for profit? Local housing authority? Provided by landlord? Provided by agent? Yes Yes No

  5. Non-‘exempt’ accommodation at risk from: • Reduced rates of rent collect as result of direct payment to tenants as the norm (UC) • Problems with entitlement for people who stay less than a month (UC) • Changes to eligibility of service charges (UC) • Bedroom tax • Benefit cap

  6. Non-‘exempt’ and general needs Older people • Pension credit • Mixed-age couples Working-age • Claim UC • Alternative payment arrangements

  7. Case study 1 • Pete claims Universal Credit. He has severe learning difficulties and lives in supported accommodation. He is referred for alternative payment arrangements. • However it transpires that Pete’s brother, Joe, acts as his appointee and fully manages his brother’s financial affairs. Joe has been looking after his brothers financial affairs for many years, and is deemed capable of managing Pete’s Universal Credit. • As a result an alternative payment arrangement is not considered appropriate in this case.

  8. Case study 2 • Lucy is 26 years old and makes a claim to Universal Credit, it comes to light that she has a drug addiction problem and has no bank account plus a history of debt. • She is therefore considered for alternative payment arrangements as she risks spending a large proportion of her Universal Credit income on drugs. • A decision is made to pay her pay her rent direct to her landlord and to pay her more frequently than monthly. She is referred for treatment and budgeting support services which include the set up of a budgeting (or ‘jam jar’) account. • Her circumstances will be reviewed in eight months time.

  9. Contact details Pippa Bell National Housing Federation 020 7067 1174 pippa.bell@housing.org.uk Further information: www.housing.org.uk/welfare Resources – Impact assessment – News

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