The Government is reducing the amount of

housing benefit some people can claim.

Find out about the changes – don’t put your home at risk

We know that many of you will be worried about what this could mean for you and your family. This leaflet has information to help you find out what’s happening and what you can do to prepare.

What will it mean for you?

You are likely to see a reduction in your benefits if:

  • You have a spare bedroom, and you and your family members are under pension age
  • You are a large family and no one in the household is working
  • If you have a grown up son or daughter, or other adult living with you

If your housing benefit is paid to the council at the moment, in the future it might be paid direct to you. You will need to make sure your rent is up to date at all times.

Changes to council tax benefit

From April 2013, if you are of working age and claim council tax benefit, the amount of support you receive may be cut. This is because the Government is reducing the amount of money available and asking local councils to run their own schemes, which may vary from area to area. Contact your local council for details and ensure you comment on these changes as part of their consultation as it is likely to affect you. For details contact:

25th July - 5th September 2012

26th June - 17th September 2012

How many bedrooms do you have?

From April 2013, anybody living in a council or housing associationhome and have one or more ‘spare’ bedrooms your housingbenefit may be reduced.

This could affect you:

  • If you are 16 to 61 years old
  • Even if you only get a small amount of housing benefit –for example, if you are working
  • Even if you are sick or disabled

You won’t be affected if:

  • You live in a one bedroom flat or bedsit
  • You or your partner are old enough to receive pension credits. In April 2013 the pension credit age will be around 61 yearsand 6 months

What is a ‘spare’ bedroom?

Under the new rules if you have more bedrooms than the Government says you need, you will lose part of your housing benefit. The new rulesmean you will be allocated one bedroom for:

  • Each adult couple
  • Any other person aged 16 or over
  • Two children of the same sex under the age of 16
  • Two children under the age of 10 regardless of their sex
  • Any other child
  • A carer (who does not normally live with you) if you or yourpartner need overnight care.

It does not matter how the ‘spare’ bedroom is used, the new ruleswill apply even if:

  • You and your partner need to sleep apart because of amedical condition.
  • The main residence of your children is another address,but you have a spare room for when they stay with you.

What happens if you have a ‘spare’ bedroom?

If you have one ‘spare’ bedroom your housing benefit will be cut by 14% of the rent you pay every week. If you have two or more sparebedrooms, you will lose 25%.If your benefit is cut you will have to pay your landlord the differencebetween your housing benefit and your rent.

Do you have a disability and need overnight care?

If you are of working age, have a disability and need a ‘spare’ bedroom so that a carer can stay overnight you should contact your local council now so that staff can help you keep more of your housing benefit.

Limit on benefits

From April 2013, the overall amount of benefit you can receivewill be capped. The Government will add up how much money you get from a range of benefits, including: housing benefit, jobseeker’ sallowance, employment support allowance, child benefit, childtax credit and carer’s allowance.If the total comes to more than the maximum amount allowedyour housing benefit payments will be reduced. However, you will still need to make sure your full rent is paid.

The maximum amount of benefit you will be able toreceive from April 2013 will be:

  • £500 per week for single parents
  • £500 per week for couples with or without children
  • £350 per week for single people without children.

What can you do to avoid this?

Finding a job would be the best thing. If at least one adult in your family is working for 24 hours or more, the cap will not apply. Or think about moving to a cheaper area possibly outside of London.

This will not apply to you if:

  • You get pension credit or working tax credit
  • A member of your household is claiming disability livingallowance, attendance allowance or the support elementof employment support allowance.

What should I do?

If you are worried about being able to afford to pay your rent fromApril 2013 you should ask for advice now. If you don’t pay your rentyou could lose your home, so talk to CCHA about differentways to pay. You can also:

  • Talk to CCHA about transferring to a smaller homeor taking in a lodger.
  • Contact CCHA for an appointment with our Debt or Benefit Advisor about possible extra financial help.

Councils have a limited amount of money available to makediscretionary payments towards housing costs. Your council mayprioritise your claim if you have a disability and your house hasbeen adapted.

Universal credit

If you are of working age (even if you are not working) and getting any of the benefits below at the moment, in future you will get UNIVERSAL CREDIT. You will get one payment instead of lots of different benefits. Benefits included in this are:

  • Income based jobseekers allowance
  • Employment support allowance
  • Income support
  • Tax credits
  • Housing Benefit

Universal credit will start for new claimants from October 2013. Existing claimants will move over the universal credit over time and up to October 2017

All change: direct payments

In most cases, universal credit will be paid to you direct. You will no longer have the option to have your housing benefit paid directly to us. You will need a bank account to do this. You will be responsible for paying your own rent and managing your own household budget. This will not apply to people who are vulnerable but the government has not said yet who this will include.

If you are worried that you will not be able to manage your money and pay your rent every week, you can get advice from CCHA. The best way to make sure your rent is paid is by direct debit – ask about setting this up now.

Other Benefit changes

  • Disability Living Allowance will become Personal Independence Payment

(less people will be eligible for this)

  • Child Benefit will now be Means tested
  • Non Dependent Deductions will increase annually

The government is also making changes to disability living allowance, council tax benefit and child benefit. A new payment system will replace benefit cheques for those who do not have a bank or post office account.

How will I know if I am affected by these changes?

The government will tell you if any of the changes will affect you and what you can do You can get more information by calling the government information line 0845 605 7064 (or textphone 0845 608 8551) between 8am to 6pm. Helpline staff can give you general information but they will not have access to your own personal details.