Changes to Housing Benefit from April 2013 and options for council tenants Mo Lawless, Project Manager (Housing)

HB Changes from April 2013 Do you claim Housing Benefit? Are you of ‘working age’? Do you have a ‘spare’ bedroom in your home? If you have answered yes to all of these questions, then you could face a cut of 14 or 25% in your Housing Benefit You are allowed one bedroom for: –every adult couple (same or opposite sex) –any other adult aged 16 or over –any two children of the same sex aged under 16 –any two children under age 10 –any other child

Example cases A couple live in a 2 bedroom high rise flat, with a rent of £86 per week, including a heating charge of £9 per week. Their eligible rent, (£77 per week) will be reduced by £10.78 per week (14% of £77), before any Housing Benefit is calculated. This means they will have to pay at least £19.78 rent per week, i.e. £9 heating charge + £ A couple and their disabled son live in a 4 bedroom house. The rent is £95 per week, with no service charges. Their eligible rent will be reduced by 25%, i.e. £23.75 per week. This is the minimum that they will have to pay before their benefit is calculated. There is no additional room given in the size criteria because their son is disabled.

How tenants can check if they are affected Contact Housing Benefits or your local housing office –Online: using our change of household form or the benefits calculator hoveclaims.teamnetsol.com/ hoveclaims.teamnetsol.com/ –By post: Benefits Services, PO Box 2929, Brighton, BN1 1LR –By or –By telephone: (01273) (select option 2 for council tenants)

Options for tenants Move to smaller accommodation Do a mutual exchange Rent out a spare room or take in a lodger Pay the rent shortfall Get help to maximise income and prioritise expenditure

Help to move Transfer Incentive Scheme (now extended to all people affected by HB change) Financial assistance available for detailswww.brighton-hove.gov.uk/TIS Financial inclusion co-ordinator role to help with practical assistance

Mutual Exchange Find someone to swap with Ensure all accounts up to date/property in good repair Register for the Housing Customer Online system at hove.gov.uk/tenants-onlinewww.brighton- hove.gov.uk/tenants-online Mutual exchange sites at hove.gov.uk/mutual-exchangewww.brighton- hove.gov.uk/mutual-exchange

Rent out spare room or take in a lodger Get permission first Notify Housing Benefits Check impact on benefit at hoveclaims.teamnetsol.com hoveclaims.teamnetsol.com Will affect Single Person Discount Check overall impact at

Pay the shortfall Work out what you need to pay using ‘size criteria’ Housing Benefits/Housing will contact everyone to tell them the amount to pay and discuss options Your home could be at risk if you don’t keep up payments. Contact housing income management if any difficulties on (01273) or New Money Advisor post to help those getting into financial difficulties Visit for details of how to paywww.brighton-hove.gov.uk/rent

Maximise income & prioritise expenditure Getting all benefits? Getting best deal on gas, electric, etc? Paying the right people? Can any charities help? Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)?

Useful websites (benefits entitlement check) eByCategory/DG_ (Direct Gov website - online benefit adviser) eByCategory/DG_ (compare utility, broadband and credit card companies) (list of charities and grants available)

Improving access to advice & support New financial inclusion co-ordinator post being recruited to New community banking partnership model –Integrate the ‘ABCDEs’ of Financial Inclusion with each element working in partnership –Advice: specialist money and debt advice casework –Banking: access to basic bank accounts and bill and debt repayment services –Credit: access to affordable loans –Deposits: access to saving schemes and incentives to save –Education: improving financial capability

Questions Any Questions ?? enefit stall, welfare rights stall and housing stall by doorMore information available on benefit stall, welfare rights stall and housing stall by door