Your home, your benefits

Are you affected by the Government's change to benefits?

 If you are on full or part Housing Benefit please read our leaflet to find out if you've been affected by the Government's new rules.

We're working with residents to support them through the changes, in particular cuts to housing benefit for tenants with a spare bedroom and the introduction of Universal Credit. Talk to our financial inclusion team if the changes affect you.

Changes to benefits from April 2013 included:

• Universal Credit was introduced
  Universal Credit is a new simpler, single monthly payment for people looking for work or on a low income. It is replacing some of the benefits and tax credits you might be getting now. Whether you can claim depends on where you live and your personal circumstances.

• Personal Independence Payment was replaced Disability Living Allowance
  Disability Living Allowance (DLA) has been replaced by a benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for people aged 16 to 64.
  Find out more on the Money Advice Service website
  
  
• Council Tax Benefit was abolished
  

  Council Tax Benefit was abolished on 1 April 2013. Local councils have brought in their own Council Tax Reduction Schemes to replace it.

• Benefit cap was introduced
  If you’re aged 16 to 64, there is a limit on the total amount of benefit you can get. This is called a benefit cap.
  Find out more on Money Advice Service website
  
  
• Housing Benefit cuts for social housing tenants with a spare bedroom
  your Housing Benefit may be cut by 14% if you are considered to have one spare bedroom and by 25% if you have two spare bedrooms or more. This is often referred to as the ‘Bedroom Tax’.
  Find out more on our Your benefits: Number of bedrooms page
  
  
• Changes to the Social Fund
  
  Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans were abolished on 1 April 2013. They have been replaced by support provided by your local authority in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales.
  
  As people are being moved onto Universal Credit, Budgeting Loans are being replaced by a new system of Budgeting Advances. 
  

For more information on the changes to benefits visit the Money Advice Service.