Welfare Reform in Leicestershire What this means for your community

Overview… Key changes Roles and responsibilities of Leicestershire County Council and Blaby District Council What these changes will mean to the residents of Leicestershire Dealing with the impact How communities can support one another How support organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau can assist those in need of guidance

Main Changes… Localising Council Tax Benefit Housing Benefit changes Social Fund Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Introduction of Benefit Cap Introduction of Universal Credit

Localising Council Tax Benefit Council Tax Benefit is claimed by 5.9 million families in the UK From April 2013, the Government is ending the national Council Tax Benefit scheme and reducing by 10% the amount of money local councils can get to provide full discounts on Council Tax for working age people. Every Council is bringing in a new scheme, which will be called Council Tax Support. Government has not set rules on who will get Council Tax Support.

Localising Council Tax Benefit LOCALLY, THIS MEANS… People of working age who qualify for Council Tax Support will contribute up to 8.5% of their Council Tax Bill. Pensioners will not be affected by these changes. The ‘charging authorities’ have worked together to create a discretionary hardship fund. Changes to discounts for empty properties. Second adult rebate is being abolished.

Localising Council Tax Benefit Blaby specific changes… If your income is over your needs allowance, you now have your benefit reduced by 20p for every £1. Blaby District Council will increase this to 25p. Property owners, whose property is unoccupied and undergoing major repairs/structural work, will now get a 50% discount for 12 months instead of a full discount. Property owners, whose property is unoccupied, will get a 100% discount for 7 days and then a 50% discount for the remainder of the first six months.

Housing Benefit changes introduction of Size criteria for the social rented sector (e.g. council and housing association properties). People living in houses larger than they are deemed to need (under-occupiers) will have their Housing Benefit reduced by: – 14% if you under-occupy by one bedroom – 25% if you under-occupy by two or more bedrooms

Housing Benefit changes Local Housing Allowance size rules entitle you to one bedroom for: every adult couple (married or unmarried) Any other adult aged 16 or over Any two children of the same sex aged under 16 Any two children aged under 10 One additional room for disabled people if they need and receive overnight care from someone who does not live with them.

Social Fund -Community Care Grants and Crisis Loan schemes transferred from Government to all top tier Authorities in England. -Crisis Loans are awarded to ‘families under exceptional pressure’ to help meet immediate short-term needs in an emergency or as a consequence of a disaster. -Community Care Grants are designed to support individuals returning to their communities from institutional care.

Social Fund -Transfer of responsibilities ‘within reduced funding framework’ from Government - Additional costs will have to be borne by the County Council -Localised replacement schemes at local council’s discretion -Leicestershire County Council has been developing a local scheme called 'Leicestershire Welfare Provision‘ with partners.

Social Fund LOCALLY, THIS MEANS… Currently seeking views on the 'Leicestershire Welfare Provision' scheme and Eligibility Criteria. Comments by 28 th February. More information & surveys for organisations and individuals on:

In addition… Personal Independence Payment (PIP) -PIP replaces disability allowance -If you are on DLA and are aged on the day that PIP is introduced, you will have to make a claim for PIP instead -The DWP will contact you to let you know when and how you should make a claim for PIP instead of DLA. Introduction of Benefit Cap -Max per week of £350 single person or £500 couple/lone parent if claimant doesn’t fall into exempt category.

Looking to the future… Introduction of Universal Credit -A means tested credit -For people of working age (16-64) -Will replace: Housing Benefit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Job Seekers Allowance, Working and Child tax credits. -Doesn’t include Council Tax Support.

How can you help your community? Listen out for service users/colleagues in financial hardship Know what support is available Know where to signpost to LOCALLY, SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR: Advice: Maximise benefits, Debts and loans, Mortgage and rent arrears, Housing Emergency provision: Food and Clothing Support: Substance Use, Parenting, Youth Work, Mental Health, Domestic Abuse, Loneliness/isolation, Tenancy Management, Household items, Budgeting skills, Employment and Training, Voluntary work and Legal Advice

Who can help? Citizens Advice Bureau Debt, benefits, housing, relationships, employment, consumer, education, legal, immigration, discrimination, health, travel. - -For advice from Leicestershire CAB please call (landline) or (mobiles) from Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm, or visit to find out more.