1. Changes to Housing Benefit Chris Baker – Housing Benefit Manager

2. Background New government Emergency budget Legislation in November Comprehensive spending review

3. Changes Up-rating DLA Tax Credits Benefits and children Benefits and older people

4. April 2011 Removal of £15 excess Non dependent deductions Extra room for carer Capped LHA rate £250 a week for a 1 bedroom property £290 a week for a 2 bedroom property £340 a week for a 3 bedroom property £400 a week for a 4 bedroom property or larger Removal of 5 bedroom rate

5. April 2011 Calculation of LHA rates changes No longer Median rent 30 th Percentile Transitional protection

6. What will this mean? 1 ROOM 1 BED2 BED3 BED4 BED5 BED LHA rate June £57.50£95.51£126.58£149.59£195.62£264.66 30 percentile £55.21£88.60£115.07138.08£172.60 Weekly Difference -£2.29-£6.91-£11.51 -£23.02-£92.06 Source: www.voa.gov.uk

7. Proposed changes – April 2013 Social sector housing to reflect family size LHA rates up-rated in line with CPI 10% reduction in HB for those in receipt of JSA over 12 months

8. Additional Support Small increase in DHP funding Limited DHP budget SDC DHP Policy to be reviewed April 2011 Broadening of safeguard discretion

9. Comprehensive Spending Review Housing Benefit to be included in Universal Credit Council Tax Benefit abolished Shared room rate extended to under 35’s

10. Comprehensive Spending Review LA’s to play key part in imposing overall cap A new Fraud Investigations Service in 2013