1. Department for Work and Pensions Carol Foster-Middleton Housing Benefit Strategy Division

2.  I work for a policy team in DWP responsible for housing benefit and data sharing issues.  We are introducing new rules for people on housing benefit.  And making changes to data sharing legislation that will affect local authorities.

3. New Housing Benefit Rules  Will apply to disabled people and others who need overnight care.  Extra housing benefit will be awarded to help with the cost of a sleepover room for a carer who stays overnight.  Takes effect from April 2011.  Customers will have to prove they or their partner need a carer, and have an extra room.

4. New Housing Benefit Rules  Local authority housing benefit staff may want evidence that the customer/partner requires a carer.  Guidance will suggest they contact local social services to see if person is known to them.  Social services may be asked to confirm a carer is being provided or is required.

5. New Housing Benefit Rules  Social services can help by: (a) Sharing information they hold about clients who need overnight care; (b) Helping to raise awareness about the new rules, when they know of clients who might be eligible.

6. New Housing Benefit Rules  Welfare rights and other organisations can help by: (a) Informing clients about the new rules; (b) Helping them to apply for the extra benefit.

7. New data share rules  There are strict rules about when people’s personal data can be shared or used for other purposes.  Social services cant normally share data unless the client has given consent.  DWP can share social security data with local authorities, but only to help administer benefits.

8. New data share rules  We are introducing new powers that will allow: (a) DWP to share social security data with social services for the purpose of deciding how much a client should pay towards the cost of domiciliary or residential care; (b) Social services to tell DWP and HB teams when a person has gone into hospital, residential care, or needs an overnight carer at home.

9. New data share rules  These new rules will be included in the Welfare Reform Bill shortly to be published in draft.  Once published, we will consult on these proposals. But already know local authorities keen to use social security data for local schemes and services.  And customers would welcome this as it means not having to tell different bits of government the same information.

10. New data share rules  If these powers are supported in Parliament, they will come into force in April 2012.  In meantime, any data shared for these purposes must only be shared where customer has consented.  We are developing guidance which will include model consent form that local authorities can use.

11. Conclusion  To sum up, we need your help to raise awareness about the new housing benefit rules;  We want to hear your views about the proposed data share changes;  We want to encourage social services and housing benefit teams to agree data share protocols pending the introduction of new powers.