1. Welfare Reform – Universal Credit / Support
Councillor Briefing Session. Matthew Steele Benefit & Fraud Manager

2. What has already been achieved
Overview
What has already been achieved
New Benefit Cap & Discretionary Housing Payments
Future changes.
Working in partnership
Fraud and referrals.

3. Implemented so far 2013 Benefit Cap Under 35yrs restrictions
Social Sector Size Criteria
Council Tax Reduction Scheme
Local Housing Allowance Freeze
Increase to the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund and claims
National Living Wage

4. Latest Impacts 400+ new Benefit Cap changes
Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) work coaches.
Personal Budgeting Support
Housing Advice
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
2nd Child limits to Universal Credit & Tax Credits
HB restrictions to Under 21’s

5. Latest Impacts Discretionary Housing Payments
Current fund £399,599
Historically fund has been exhausted by 31st March each year
BenCap reductions Est at £1.2m
Social Sector Size Criteria still accounts for approx. 40% of the fund.
Increased administration to manage the fund
Conditionality focussed on work
Increased monitoring
Greater disputes
Appeals

6. Future Impacts Supported & Temporary Accommodation
HB or UC limited to Local Housing Allowance Rates
Additional funding model to cover costs above this rate likely to be diverted to a commissioning body.
Intensive Housing Management paid as part of HB.
Government to work with the sector to develop options for the very short term temporary accommodation
Consultation ongoing – deadline for responses 13th February 2017

7. Universal Credit Future Impacts
Northampton Job Centre will become a full UC site from July 2018.
All New Claims to Benefit will be through Universal Credit.
Migration from 2019 – 2022
Still responsible for CTR, Pensioners and potentially supported / Temporary accommodation.

9. Assessment Periods

10. Partnership Working Welfare reform Steering group
Northampton Borough Council
Northampton Partnership Homes
LGSS
Working with the Department for Work & Pensions
Management - policy
Work Coaches – day to day
Director & HOS working at a National Level.

11. Partnership Working Improved internet capability in OSS
Revenues & Benefits expanded and improved its digital by default services
Using LGSS partners to discuss & develop best practice
Dedicated Money Advice Officers
Development strong partnerships in the OSS – Community Law Services & CAB.
NPH started everyday Direct Debits.
Improved/joined up start up process

12. Fraud and Referrals
Since April 2015 HB investigations moved to the DWP fraud investigation service.
Tel:
Accessible through the NBC web pages alongside Tenancy Fraud which goes to LGSS Fraud Team.
Help and advice from the NBC team.
Matthew Steele – Benefit & Fraud Manager
Lesley Freeman – Fraud Support Officer