Welfare Reform Presenter Rob Thompson Benefits Manager

Agenda  Changes since April 2011  January 2012 – April 2012  Future Proposals  Welfare Reform  Council Tax Benefit  Questions Rob Thompson

Changes since April 2011  Primarily affecting Private Sector tenants  Transitional Protection  Carers Size Criteria  LHA Rates at 30 th percentile  LHA Capping  4 Bed rate limit  Excess removal  Non Dependant Deductions increasing

January 2012 – April 2012  Transitional protection impact  Shared Accommodation rate – Under 35’s  Further Non Dependant Deduction increases

Future proposals  LHA rates linked to CPI  Under Occupation affects Social rented sector  LA administered cap on benefits to “average income”  Market Rents – 80%  JSA cases restricted to 90% - withdrawn  New Fraud investigation service

Welfare Reform  Personal Independence payments  Universal Credit  2 arms – Working age and Pension  Housing benefit becomes housing credit  Direct payment to tenant - monthly  Online services  Real Time Data 

Council Tax Benefit  Current consultation ongoing for radical change  NOT included in Universal Credit  Local Schemes  Fixed Budgets  Savings  Vulnerable

Questions