Universal Credit Welfare Reform and Housing Choices Update
Learn about the latest updates on Universal Credit and the Welfare Reform, including the benefit cap, housing choices, and support for landlords. Find out how Universal Credit replaces various benefits, the impact of the benefit cap, and services offered by NWLDC Housing Choices Team.
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Presentation Transcript
Welcome Landlords Forum 19thOctober 2016
Welfare Reform Update Universal Credit Benefit Cap
Universal Credit Replaces benefits for people out of work and tax credits for people in work. Designed to top up income to a minimum level and to simplify the welfare benefits system. Being introduced gradually - started in North West Leicestershire in September 2015. Coalville has taken over 400 claims in its first year. Coalville s date for full service is not known at this time Full service = old benefits no longer taken for new cases Job Centre Plus is responsible for Universal Credit Paid monthly into claimants bank account
Universal Credit replaces: Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income- based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Some budgeting and crisis loans UC payments adapt to take account of changes in circumstances and increased earnings
Benefit Cap Limit on the total amount of benefit that most people aged 16 to 64 can get If receive more than the benefit cap allows then Housing Benefit or Universal Credit reduced until brought back within the cap. From 7th November 2016 the benefit cap is going to be reduced Anyone affected will have already received a letter from DWP Both DWP and NWLDC are offering advice and support for anyone affected
NWLDC Housing Choices Team Housing advice / homelessness prevention Housing register Housing strategy Affordable housing
Gold Standard National scheme for Local Authority Homelessness Services launched in April 2013 Based around 10 challenges To develop a suitable private rented sector offer for all client groups, including advice and support to both client and landlord Challenge 6:
Offer to Landlords Rent deposit guarantee scheme - 6 months tenancy agreement Tenancy support - household management/budgeting - one to one support NWLDC / The Bridge Support and advice forum, marketing (Homefinder), resolution of issues
The challenges Limited social housing More single people in need of housing Changes to housing benefit / LHA Benefit cap - families
Local Housing Allowance Introduced in 2008. Used to work out benefit claims for tenants who rent from a private landlord Applies to benefit claims after 7 April 2008 If tenant claims Universal Credit - rent costs included as part of the UC payment How much receive worked out according to: Area where property is Household size Income Circumstances If the rent tenant pays is more than the Local Housing Allowance rate, they'll need to use other money they have coming in to make up the difference
Broad Market Rental Area (BMRA) Shared room rate 1 bedroom 2 bedrooms 3 bedrooms 4 bedrooms Leicester and surrounds 59.00 86.30 109.32 126.58 163.16 Eastern Staffordshire 60.04 81.58 103.56 123.58 162.40 Derby 58.82 84.75 103.56 117.70 149.59 The table shows the weekly Local Housing Allowance rate from April 2016 for each BRMA in North West Leicestershire Rates are based on NEEDS of household e.g. Adult couple = 1 bedroom
Discretionary Housing Payments Extra help which Local Authorities can award to those in receipt of Housing Benefit, Local Housing Allowance or Universal Credit if they are having difficulty in paying their remaining housing costs. Limited budget Extra help may not be for the full difference between benefit and rent and may only be paid for a short period of time.
What else can we do? Rent payment account as part of rent deposit scheme Household management / budgeting course for new tenants More support for landlords working with us More marketing options over to you...
What would encourage you to work with us? Q1: What are the top issues that prevent you from giving tenancies to the people we work with? Q2: Would clients having a rent payment account in place provide reassurance? Q3: Would clients receiving tenancy support / household management skills provide an incentive to take someone on? Q4: What advice/support services could we provide for landlords to make you more comfortable with taking out clients?
