1. Benefits Update Mark Griffiths Benefits Manager Amber Valley Borough Council

2. The Bedroom Tax From 1 April working age tenants of registered social landlords have had their Housing Benefit reduced if they have more bedrooms than they need. 14% reduction in eligible rent if they have one more bedroom than they need. 25% reduction in eligible rent if they have two or more bedrooms than they need.

3. Bedroom Tax - numbers affected 721 tenants had a 14% reduction – an average of £12.46 per week 169 had a 25% reduction – an average of £22.77 per week

4. The Benefits Cap From 15 July there will be a restriction to the maximum amount a claimant can receive each week in state benefits. The Government’s intention is that no one on benefits can receive more than the average weekly income received by those in work. The limit will be £350 per week for a single person and £500 per week for a couple or lone parent.

5. Benefits Cap The Department for Work and Pensions will tell Councils which claimants are affected. Claimants who are currently getting Housing Benefit will have the cap applied and a reduced amount awarded. If the payment is going direct to the landlord this amount will be reduced.

6. Benefit Cap – numbers affected In Amber Valley approximately 21 tenants will have their Housing Benefit awards reduced from 15 July onwards. Most are tenants of private landlords. The amount of the reduction ranges from £9.00 per week to £160.00 per week. Some will be left with only £0.50p per week Housing Benefit.

7. Local Housing Allowance Previously LHA rates changed every month. Previously claims were reviewed on the anniversary of the claim and the new LHA rate applied. Now LHA rates will only change every April, unless there has been a relevant change of circumstances. LHA rates will be uprated each April based on Consumer Price Index, rather than the Retail Price Index.

8. Current LHA rates Derby BRMA Notts BRMA Shared Accommodation£56.00£68.00 1 Bedroom£83.08£90.80 2 Bedroom£103.85£106.13 3 Bedroom£115.38£117.92 4 Bedroom£160.38£159.20

9. Universal Credit A new single payment for working age claimants who are looking for work or on a low income. Intended to replace Income Support, Tax Credits, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Based Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Benefit. Claimants will apply on-line. Payments will be made monthly in arrears direct into the claimants bank account.

10. Universal Credit Support with Housing Costs (Housing Benefit) will go straight to the claimant with their monthly payment of Universal Credit. Safeguards will be put in place to enable direct payment to landlords where appropriate. Administered and paid by the DWP. Currently pilots are being carried out to test the process. Governments intention is to role out nationally from October 2013.

11. Council Tax Support From 1 April 2013 the Government abolished the national Council Tax Benefit scheme. Councils were required to devise their own Local Council Tax Support Schemes, but were given less money to do so by the Government. The Government stated that pensioners had to be protected from any reduction in Council Tax Support.

12. Council Tax Support In Amber Valley Working Age claimants can no longer receive full help towards their Council Tax payments. All Council Tax Support claimants had their awards reduced by 8.5% from April 2013. 5,200 claimants were affected. The average reduction was £67.39 per year.

13. Contact Details Mark Griffiths, Benefits Manager, Amber Valley Borough Council – 01773 841430 – mark.griffiths@ambervalley.gov.uk Benefits Customer Services Team – 01773 841470 – benefits@ambervalley.gov.uk