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Welfare Reform ~ The Way Forward
Welcome
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Today’s Agenda DWP ~ Working “As One” Jobcentre Plus Offer
Welfare Reform Digitalisation These are the areas we are going to cover. This will hopefully give you an idea of the current direction of travel for DWP over the coming months/years.
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The Scale of the Changes
Work Programme – payment by results Universal Credit 12 million in 8 million households Pension Reform 12 million people Personal Independence Payment 3.2 million IB to ESA Migration 2.6 million people Benefit Cap 142,000 people Digital services the norm Additional notes; A third of the JSa register is Young people. We have high unemployment and the number of people who are long term unemployed is increasing. Work Programme is the first and biggest programme to use a ‘Payment by results’ model. The Welfare Changes affect customers of working age on benefits, customers with a disability and also some customers who are in work as well as pensioners. The preference for services to be delivered through digital channels affects us all.
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One DWP Jobcentre Plus and The Pension Disability & Carers Service no longer have ‘Agency’ status. DWP has implemented a simpler corporate structure New single Operations directorate Jobcentre Plus and the PDCS brands remain DWP Organisation – Working “as One” From the 3rd of October 2011, the formal ‘Agency’ status of Jobcentre Plus and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service (PDCS) was removed and the day-to-day operations brought under the leadership of a single Chief Operating Officer, Terry Moran and lead by the Permanent Secretary Robert Devereux These changes do not affect the way we handle our day-to-day business, including how we manage any enquiries you may have on behalf of your customers. These changes form part of the corporate restructuring of DWP to streamline management and make the Department more efficient. Services under the brands of Jobcentre Plus, Pension Service, and the Disability & Carers Service will continue to be delivered to jobseekers, benefit claimants and pensioners as before, ahead of the introduction of Universal Credit in Ministerial accountability also remains unaffected. The new structure - easier to share best practice - improve efficiency -easier for our partners!
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Every working day, DWP…”
Receive over 294,000 telephone calls. Take an average of over 15,000 new job vacancies Conduct 88,000 Jobcentre Advisor interviews Process over 19,000 new working age benefit claims Prepare to prosecutable standard, 50 cases for benefit fraud. Receive over 820,000 job searches for Jobcentre Plus job vacancies using the Directgov website. Help an average of over 6,600 customers moving into work Process over 1,600 claims for Attendance Allowance, over 3,300 claims for DLA and over 1,100 Carers Allowance claims. Process over 1,000 claims for Pensions Credit and over 2,600 claims for State Pension. See over 2,100 customers face-to-face in their home or in a place convenient to them. Expect to issue over 2,900 pension forecasts on request. These figures give a sense of scale….. In addition we deal with 35.7 million calls answered (April to December) Over 86% of all calls answered on time Over 74% resolved first time
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Jobcentre Plus Offer Pre Work Programme Measures
Work Clubs & Enterprise clubs Work Together Work Experience New Enterprise Allowance Sector Based Work Academies Mandatory Work Related Activity More Frequent Attendance Skills Conditionality European Social Fund Support for Families Increased support for year olds and the Youth Contract District Manager’s Flexible Support Funds Work Programme Mandatory for customers on Jobseekers Allowance Employment & Support Allowance (Work Related Activity Group, 3 and 6 month prognosis) according to health condition Voluntary for customers on Employment & Support Allowance (WRAG, 12 month prognosis and Support Group) Income Support /Incapacity Benefit (Funded by European Social Fund) This set out the Jobcentre Plus offer – the pre-work programme support and the work programme. First 5 offers involve us working with partners , in communities and with employers to support our customers into work. Skills Conditionality, MWA and MFA – emphasizes the raised expectation and increased responsibility, people who are claiming out of work benefits have to take steps to find work. Customers are more frequently required to undertake certain activities a condition of their continued receipt of benefit- advisers have the option, if required to mandate customers. The Welfare Reform Act gave powers for a new sanctions regime into JSA and ESA to pave the way for Universal Credit. The new regime is designed to drive compliance with requirements by providing clarity about the consequences of non-compliance and tougher sanctions for repeated non-compliance, with sanctions of up to three years for those who repeatedly fail to meet their most important responsibilities such as accepting job offers. So while the penalties are tougher the aim is that they are a deterrent rather than a punishment that we would need to widely use. The date for implementation is not yet confirmed but will not be before October. There are projects to support specific customers – [ the Government has used a number of different terms] and additional support for young people – The Youth Disadvantaged/ Troubled Families Contract. District Manager’s Flexibilities – this gives Jobcentre advisers more flexibility to focus on customer’s individual needs An individual claimant’s jobseeking needs vary and it is important to provide the most appropriate support for them, also taking account of the local labour market situation Work Programme – a programme of up to 2 years to support customers. Most customers are mandated to attend this programme at a specific time in their claim to benefit.The Work Programme has replaced a complex range of initiatives set up over previous years. Rolled out last summer, it is designed and delivered by contracted providers - with the 18 main or prime contractor areas forging partnerships with other organisations of varying sizes to deliver practical support to jobseekers at a local level. Radical departure in that providers will be primarily paid by results and for getting people into sustainable jobs. The biggest incentives are focussed on the harder to help people. These are early days to assess the Work Programme, but it has been designed to deliver better job outcomes than previous provision and the Department is confident that it will drive improved value for money over the next 5 years. Work Choice – a specific programme to support customers who have a disability and canniot be fully supported through the mainstream services. Work Choice / Access to Work
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The Youth Contract Objectives of the Youth Contract are:
To ensure that every young person who needs it is offered support to move them closer to, or into work (increasing benefit off-flow rates); To give young people the skills to compete in a global economy (getting them into work sooner); To encourage employers to inspire young people and recruit them into real, long term jobs (increasing the average time in employment); To promote claimants’ personal responsibility by introducing increased activity for those who do not engage with other support The Youth Contract has been introduced because Youth Unemployment in GB has risen sharply. In the last year it has reached its highest level since 1986.
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The Youth Contract – What’s Available
160,000 Wage Incentives worth up to £2,275 each, for employers who employ an year-old from the Work Programme An extra 250,000 voluntary Work Experience and/or sector-based work academy places Extra adviser support through Jobcentre Plus An opportunity to have a careers interview delivered by the National Careers Service within the first 3 months of a claim An expansion of the current Mandatory Work Activity programme An extra 20,000 Employers Apprenticeship Incentives for year olds, taking the total to 40,000 in 2012/13 A new programme to support the most vulnerable NEET 16 & 17 year olds Apologies for a busy slide but this gives all the key points of the Youth Contract. Perhaps mention local YP plans and the high priority we afford this group .
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Welfare Reform Act Universal Credit Personal Independence Payment
ESA time-limiting Benefits cap LP obligations Social Fund changes Housing Benefit changes State Pension Single tier The Act introduces the most fundamental reforms to the social security system for 60 years. The Act aims to deliver a simpler, fairer, benefits system & to ensure work pays We are already witnessing how difficult it is to create a fair and simple system!
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Universal Credit Plans for Universal Credit were announced following a consultation on 21st Century Welfare [ July- October 2010]. It will merge out –of-work benefits with in- work tax credits in a single system and one stream-line payment. UC will mean that everyone becomes better off when they move into work or when they start working longer hours and as such is seen as key to breaking the intergenerational cycle of worklessness and disadvantaged and tackling benefit dependency and poverty.
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Why do we need Universal Credit?
We are simplifying a complex system of multiple benefits: the current system has over 10,000 pages of guidance for advisers and 301 different combinations of benefits It will replace a range of Working Age benefits it is expensive to administer We are making work pay: more help for low income working families claimants will keep more of what they earn improving incentives to increase hours of work simplified system will make moving to work feel less ‘risky’ 30+ benefits across 4 agencies with 10,000 pages of guidance. Universal Credit will reduce the complexity of the system.. Under Universal Credit, customers will receive benefit as a single regular payment, rather than being split into Income Support, Tax Credits and Housing Benefit. The current system cost £3.5bn to administer and £5bn is lost to error and fraud a year. UC will strip out the need for clerical intervention, removing the reliance on paper and staff to process work. Simplified process will release DWP staff to work with more vulnerable customers. Under Universal Credit, the aim is that those receiving benefits who move into work, or work more hours, will be better off because the reform will ensure that people keep more of their earnings when they move off benefits and into work The current system encourages dependency and can discourage work - financial gains are slight. The complexity makes the transition to work too risky. UC will make it easier for people to see for themselves how much better off they will be in work It is planned for Universal Credit to begin from October 2013 and we will tell customers about how this will affect them well in advance. It will take four years to complete the transition from existing schemes DWP will manage the administration of Universal Credit, although full details of how this will work are yet to be finalised. The Universal Credit White Paper also proposed a tougher sanctions regime, including temporary removal of entitlement to benefit for those few customers who refuse to comply with the conditions of their benefit. These changes will be applied to existing benefits now that The Welfare Reform Act has Royal Assent The Act also sets out reforms to the way that Social Fund is delivered. Budgeting Loans will become an advance of payment within Universal Credit, other aspects will be delivered by Local Authorities. The devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales will make their own arrangements. Details of how these changes will be made have yet to be decided. . People will keep 68% of every pound that they earn. Ministers have made it clear that the system will provide financial security to the most vulnerable members of our society and that the purpose of Universal Credit is not to reduce levels of support.
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Simplifying a complex system
Of the current system JSA Income related ESA Income related Income Support Working Tax Credits Child Tax Credits Housing Benefit Universal Credit Pension Credit, Child Benefit, Carer’s Allowance (will remain) Contributory JSA and ESA (still considering how these will work) Council Tax Benefit (DCLG still considering how this will work) Universal Credit will replace; Income related Jobseeker’s Allowance Income related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Child Tax Credits Working Tax Credits Housing Benefit Universal Credit does not include Disability Living Allowance Contributory Benefits Child benefit Pension Credit Carer’s Allowance
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Universal Credit will as a principle be,
Be easy for customers to understand and use Self service will be the primary channel to use - this means digital The majority of transactions will be automated [ staff intervention reserved for cases where there is a clearly identified risk of fraud or error. Face to face contacts for issue regarding conditionality – the obligations we expect customers to fulfil Joint or single customer accounts will enable customers staff and some third par toes to view information relevant to the assessment unit. UC will be delivered as a single entity Need for customers contact will be minimized Fraud and error will be designed out as far as possible. UC will connect with related services [ WP, passported benefits] and the benefit processing system, will be extendable.
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Making work pay “Universal Credit will mean that people are consistently and transparently better off for each hour they work and every pound they earn” Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions The Government wants families to be able to manage their affairs in a manner that best reflects the demands of modern life, whether in or out of work. A key aspect of Universal Credit will be that it should mimic work and the receipt of a salary, to be paid calendar monthly. Universal Credit is designed to ensure that it is always worth working by allowing people to keep more of their benefit in the transitional period back to work. Actual rates and tapers to be decided by Autumn 2012. Digital by design Paid monthly in arrears Customers keep more of the wage they earn as they progress back into work.
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It pays to work Income Earnings
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It pays to work - Real Time Information (RTI) system
Universal Credit payments will be reduced in stages, taking actual earnings into account at the time they are received. A Real Time Information (RTI) system being brought in by HMRC will support this, changing the way an employer notifies their employee’s earnings. HMRC are working with Payroll Software manufacturers to help make RTI as easy to use as possible. The pilot with employers using RTI starts in April building up gradually to 300 employers during May and June 2012. A further 1,300 volunteer employers joining the pilot July – Sept and up to 250,000 employers will be submitting RTI by March
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Key dates Testing Period New claims from unemployed claimants start
APRIL 2013 New claims from unemployed claimants start OCT 2013 New claims from in-work claimants start Managed migrations start APRIL 2014 Managed migration activity completed 2017
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Helping disabled people live full, active & independent lives
Helping disabled people live full, active & independent lives. An introduction to Personal Independence Payment. INTRODUCTION – supporting information Welfare Reform Proposes the most fundamental reforms to the social security system for 60 years. It aims for a simpler, fairer benefits system & to ensure work pays. The proposals for Personal Independence Payment were included in the Welfare Reform Bill 2011, which secured Royal Assent on 8 March and is now the Welfare Reform Act 2012. The presentation is an introduction to Personal Independence Payment and what that means for our current DLA claimants and future Personal Independence Payment claimants. We know that there may be uncertainty and worry and today we want to provide you with all the information we currently have on Personal Independence Payment and where we are in terms of getting ready for introducing it in April 2013. Government is committed to co production and wants to involve disabled people and their organisations – the aim of today is to go some way towards achieving that. Note to presenters: Consultation continues on PIP assessment criteria and regulations – as a result this presentation will be updated regularly – please check for new versions via the DWP Visiting homepage and then click on Partnerships: Can we also ask that you use the full name Personal Independence Payment not the abbreviation (PIP) when talking about the new benefit If you get questions you can’t answer don’t be afraid to say we don’t know yet and that you’ll ask if any progress has been made. Questions that can’t be answered by either the speaker notes or from information on the DWP website at should be ed the Personal Independence Payment Implementation Programme at: Please don’t forget to include your contact details when you us.
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What is changing? Personal Independence Payment will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people of working age from April 2013 Retains the key features of DLA - non means tested and non taxable payable both in and out of work More objective assessment process Awards will be based on the: - individual circumstances of the person claiming - impact of their disability / health condition - extent to which they are able to live independently and participate in society WHAT IS CHANGING – supporting information Definition of wording on slides Working age = people aged on the day Personal Independence Payment is introduced Long term condition = ill-health or disability expected to last 12 months or longer More objective assessment process = in most cases this will involve a face-to-face consultation with a trained health professional to assess individual needs. The assessment will look at disabled people as individuals and not just label them by their health condition or impairment. More information about what Personal Independence Payment is It will help towards some of the extra costs arising from having a long term condition People who get it can choose to spend it in a way that suits them best On first time Personal Independence Payment claims there is a three month qualifying period (this is the period during which the claimant has had a health condition or disability) and the prospective test is nine months (needs arising from condition or disability must be expected to last for a further nine months as well) Claimants will not necessarily have to wait three months, as the qualifying period starts from when their eligible needs arise and not from when they make a claim. If claimants are aged 16 – 64 and get DLA and apply for Personal Independence Payment they will not have to meet the three month qualifying period but will have to meet the prospective test (the need is expected to last for a further nine months). A person with a terminal illness will be fast tracked on to a guaranteed payment of the enhanced rate of the Daily Living component of Personal Independence Payment without having to satisfy the qualifying period or the prospective test. They will also be able to apply for the Mobility component and receive that immediately if they qualify. Children (Under 16s): We do not plan to extend Personal Independence Payment to new or existing claims for children from The needs of children are very different to those of adults and we would need to develop a specific child assessment. To make sure we get this right we would want to build on our experience of developing and applying the assessment for claimants of working age to inform future arrangements. We would also consult before extending any new assessment to children. We recognise there may be issues about moving children over to Personal Independence Payment at age 16 and that specific plans may need to be developed to make the process as smooth and as straightforward as possible. Over 65s (DLA recipients): We do not initially plan to reassess DLA recipients aged over 65 from We will use the experience of reassessing the working-age caseload to inform our decisions on extending Personal Independence Payment to over 65s. Over 65 once Personal Independence Payment is awarded: Individuals in receipt of Personal Independence Payment will continue to receive the benefit past the upper age limit of 65, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria
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Why is it changing? DLA has been in place for almost 20 year largely unchanged Personal Independence Payment will better reflect today’s understanding of disability which has changed a lot in 2 decades DLA was: Unsustainable in the long term Complex and confusing Used little independent evidence Had no systematic review to make sure an award still met the claimants needs WHY IS IT CHANGING – supporting information Government is committed to reforming welfare, making work pay, protecting the people who need the most support and ensuring we have a modern and sustainable welfare state There has been growing consensus around the need to reform DLA for a while amongst many people and organisations and across political parties This has been echoed through the extensive consultation and discussions that have taken place throughout development and design of Personal Independence Payment (more than 5000 individuals and 500 organisations gave their views in a DLA reform public consultation) There has been a growing consensus that the benefit is no longer in step with the needs of disabled people In its current form DLA lacks some of the basic checks and reviews that are integral to most other state benefits The system lacks consistency in the way it supports disabled people with similar needs; and decision making on awarding the benefit can be subjective and have high administrative costs. Under DLA people are sometimes unsure about when to, or how to report a change in circumstances especially when the change has been very gradual. This can lead to both over and underpayments of benefit. Note: Over and underpayments if pressed (evidence): The 2004/05 DLA National Benefit Review identified cases where the change in customers’ needs had been so gradual that it would be unreasonable to expect them to know at which point their entitlement to DLA might have changed. These cases do not result in a recoverable overpayment as we cannot identify when the change occurred. It found that £630 million (or 11.2% of cases) was overpaid and £190 million (or 6.3% of cases) was underpaid to individuals because of these changes in customer circumstances.
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When will it change? Personal Independence Payment is being introduced in stages: April 2013: Initial pilot testing, although not in Devon and Cornwall June 2013: We plan to take new claims from all claimants in all parts of the country Jan 2014: Full national reassessment likely to begin March 2016: All current DLA claimants of working age will have been contacted about claiming Personal Independence Payment WHEN WILL IT CHANGE - Additional information There is no automatic transfer from DLA to Personal Independence Payment. If you are already getting DLA you will need to make a claim for the new benefit when invited. New claims We’ll begin by taking a few thousand new PIP claims from April Once we’ve tested the processes and systems, we’ll take new claims from all claimants. The remaining network of benefits centres currently administering new claims for DLA will start to take on new claims for PIP from June 2013, once evidence is in place that processes are working as intended. In addition, this network will handle continuing DLA claims for children. Bootle Benefits Centre will be the controlled start site location for PIP new claims from April 2013.This means that disabled people in areas including Merseyside, North West England, Cumbria, Cheshire and North East England will claim PIP before those elsewhere in the country. We want to ensure that early processes and systems are working as we intend, before we roll out for all claimants. Bootle handles about the right number of new claims to provide a meaningful test of PIP processes and IT functionality without overloading new systems. Bootle is also a high performing unit, and has a good track record on implementing innovative ways of working. People in the area covered by Bootle will not be able to claim DLA instead of PIP from April We’re working on the regulations following Royal Assent of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (08 March 2012) . Legislation will then reflect the fact that the opportunity to claim DLA has ceased in that part of the country. People in other parts of the country will NOT be able to claim PIP until full national rollout expected to be June 2013 Reassessment Everyone aged between 16 and 64 on the day that PIP is introduced with a current award of DLA will be asked if they want to claim PIP between 2013 and 2016, and will be reassessed for the new benefit where they do claim it. Children on DLA will be asked if they want to claim PIP from their 16th birthday. From October 2013, any existing DLA recipients (aged 16-64) who report a change in their condition will be reassessed for entitlement to PIP. This will also apply to claimants whose DLA award is due to be renewed. About 30,000 claimants with indefinite DLA awards will be reassessed between October 2013 and January 2014 as part of a phased introduction. We will contact everyone in advance, providing plenty of notice, and explain what will happen and what they will need to do. If an existing DLA recipient does not want to claim PIP they do not have to BUT they will be asked if they want to claim PIP at some point before March If you choose not to claim at that stage their DLA will stop. Claimants cannot keep DLA as an alternative to PIP
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What is PIP made up of? Personal Independence Payment is made up of:
A Daily Living component A Mobility component Awards will be made up of one or both of these components. Each component will have two rates: Standard Enhanced The amount for each rate is still to be decided. WHAT IS PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT MADE UP OF – supporting information The proposed entitlement thresholds are: Daily Living component Mobility component Standard rate: 8 points Standard rate: 8 points Enhanced rate: 12 points Enhanced rate: 12 points (from activities 1-9) (from activities 10-11) For more information on activities see the criteria consultation doc on Break in payment DLA will continue to be paid until a decision on entitlement to Personal Independence Payment is made. If a claimant is found not to be entitled their DLA will stop. If a claimant is awarded Personal Independence Payment we will ensure there are no gaps between benefit payments so long as they send us the information we need when we ask for it. We will contact them, providing plenty of notice, explaining what will happen and what they will need to do.
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How will assessment work?
Assessment for Personal Independence Payment will involve health professionals considering the evidence provided by the claimant and any professional that may support them on a regular basis. Most people will also be asked to a face to face consultation with this health professional as part of the claim process The health professional will provide advice to a benefit decision maker at the Department for Work and Pensions The benefit decision maker will then use all of this information to decide your entitlement to Personal Independence Payment HOW WILL ASSESSMENT WORK – supporting information In Personal Independence Payment we want to treat everyone as an individual. The benefit will go to those individuals whose impairments impact most on their ability to participate in society. The only way to accurately decide who should get the new benefit is to assess people individually, looking at their personal circumstances and the barriers they face. This is because people’s health conditions or disabilities can affect them in very different ways and some individuals have more than one health condition or disability. The assessment for Personal Independence Payment will make greater use of evidence and help us to accurately and consistently assess claims and decide entitlement. The only exception is for people who are terminally ill and who are not expected to live for more than six months. We will deal with these claims quickly and the person will not need a face to face consultation, or to fulfil the three month qualifying period. The new benefit will have different entitlement criteria to those for DLA to better reflect today’s understanding of disability. Everybody of working age (16-64 on the day Personal Independence Payment is introduced) who gets DLA will be asked whether they wish to claim Personal Independence Payment. We’ll write to them between 2013 and March 2016 to let you know when you can claim Personal Independence Payment to explain what will happen through the assessment process, how and where it will take place, what they need to do and what help is available to support them through the process. If they satisfy the entitlement criteria for the new benefit, they will be awarded Personal Independence Payment and their payment of DLA will stop. If they are assessed as not entitled to Personal Independence Payment, or choose not to claim it, they will not be able to retain their DLA as an alternative. Awards of Personal Independence Payment will be based upon individual circumstances and will look at the impact of disability or health condition and the extent to which claimants are able to live independently. Over time, people’s conditions can change and we want to make sure that a person’s award of benefit reflects their current needs. At the moment there are no regular checks under DLA leaving disabled people at risk of claiming incorrect levels of support. The length of award people get will depend on their individual circumstances and the likelihood of this changing. This will be determined by the benefit decision maker, following advice from a healthcare professional. Some people will get short awards (for example this could be up to two years) and others will get longer ones (such as five or ten years). Others will get indefinite awards which will be subject to review. If people get a longer award we will contact them occasionally, to see if their needs have changed over time, to ensure that they continue to receive the correct level of benefit. When an award comes to an end, if people still have needs arising from their health condition or disability they can decide to make a further claim for Personal Independence Payment.
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What the criteria will look like?
The assessment criteria will: be more transparent and objective assess disabled people as individuals focus on the impact that their health condition or impairment has on their daily lives consider the individual’s ability to carry out key everyday activities take account of physical, sensory, mental, intellectual and cognitive impairments and developmental needs reflect variable and fluctuating conditions WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA – supporting information Definition of wording on slides Key everyday activities = accessing food and drink, communicating and getting around More information on the criteria Assessment criteria are being developed in collaboration with a group of independent specialists in health, social care and disability The assessment development group includes individuals from a range of professions, such as occupational therapy, psychiatry, physiotherapy, social work, general practice and community psychiatric nursing, as well as representatives from RADAR and Equality 2025 (RADAR is a disability campaigning organisation and Equality 2025 is a non-departmental public body of publicly-appointed disabled people). The 11 Assessment criteria will take into account whether activities can be carried out reliably, repeatedly, safely and in a timely manner. This is an area we are continuing to explore further in discussions with disabled people and their organisations. Point will be awarded depending on the individuals’ level of ability and the barriers they face. The proposed entitlement threshold is the level of points required to make an award of Personal Independence Payment. Each activity carries a possible eight to fifteen points for those with the most restricted abilities Key to the benefit will be a simpler, fairer, more transparent and more objective assessment of individual need. The assessment will look at disabled people as individuals and not just label them by their health condition or impairment. That’s why the assessment criteria is being designed to consider an individual’s personal circumstances and the support they need, rather than basing eligibility on any medical condition. We will take a personalised approach to setting the length of awards. The move away from ‘ongoing’ awards will allow us to ensure awards remain correct. We will vary the length of awards and the frequency of reviews depending on the individual’s needs and the likelihood of the impact of their health condition or impairment changing. For some conditions, longer fixed-term awards with regular reviews will be most appropriate, but these reviews might not necessarily always involve a face-to-face consultation. We recognise that it will be important to ensure that the review process is applied sensitively and appropriately and we are considering this as we develop the operational processes. Fluctuating conditions is something that has been carefully considered as part of the early development work. The assessment will not be a ‘snapshot’ of any one day but will consider an individual’s ability to carry out activities over a period of time – we are suggesting a year. Specific information on aids and appliances Disabled people receive a diverse range of support from Government, including aids and appliances which can make a real difference to people’s lives. For example, Local Authorities spent over £230 million on aids in Through Personal Independence Payment, we wish to target support to those disabled people who are least able to participate and to live independently. We therefore believe it is right for the assessment to take some account of the successful use of aids and appliances. We accept that there are costs associated with aids and appliances, e.g. grab rails and walk in baths, that availability can vary and that disabled people should have choice and control over their lives. As such, when Personal Independence Payment is implemented we are clear that only aids and appliances which are normally used by an individual will be considered. We will continue to work with disabled people and their organisations on this. Note: This is a contentious area - if the audience has specific issues relating to aids and appliances take a note and say we will send an answer after the event
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What’s the impact on other benefits and services?
We intend to maintain existing passporting arrangements wherever possible Motability: we are still considering how Personal Independence Payment will provide access to the Motability scheme. WHAT’S THE IMPACT ON OTHER BENEFITS AND SERVICES – supporting information We recognise the value of the additional help that passported benefits provide. Passported benefits include not just Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Carers Allowance but serves such as the Blue Badge as well as public transport concessions. We are working with other government departments and the Devolved Administrations that currently use DLA as a passport to schemes they provide to ensure that any future passporting arrangements remain appropriate for their own schemes. The Motability scheme allows customers to use all or part of their Higher Rate Mobility Component (HRMC) of DLA to buy or hire a vehicle. Many respondents to the consultation commented on the importance of the Motability scheme. We will work closely with Motability under the reformed system of Personal Independence Payment to decide how access will be provided
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What consultation is happening?
We are currently asking for views on the new entitlement criteria for the benefit. The consultation document and other information about the assessment criteria can be found A formal consultation on the draft Regulations starts on the 26 March and runs until the end of June. These set out the detail of how PIP will work. At a local level you can help us by telling us how you and your clients like to receive information WHAT CONSULTATION IS HAPPENING – supporting information Previous consultation The December 2010 public consultation on DLA reform was one of the largest consultation responses the Department has received: - over 5000 individual responses and - over 500 responses from disability organisations It was clear from the responses received that some reform of DLA was welcomed. Both individuals and organisations pointed to the confusing nature of the benefit and inconsistent decision making. The Government’s response gave a commitment to continue to involve disabled people and their organisations as we develop our proposals We sought views on the initial draft of the assessment criteria from disabled people and their organisations between 9 May and 31 August 2011 We also carried out formal testing of the initial draft assessment criteria last summer with around 900 volunteers currently receiving or who have previously claimed DLA to enable us to refine the criteria further We are involving disabled people themselves in designing the delivery of Personal Independence Payment through customer research panels which started in September. These are being facilitated by an external company with expertise in this sort of work. We are also undertaking similar research with local partner organisations. If you would be interested in participating in this research, please let me know or Getting involved now Tell us what we can do to support your communication needs; what do you need from us to help provide you with information to support and explain the changes to your clients. We are keen to have an ongoing dialogue with local partner organisations to explore and agree ways in which we can work together to support disabled people and to encourage ideas about what we can do for them and what role they can play in delivering the changes with us. Presenters can use the evaluation form at the end of the presentation to tell us about any useful suggestions that were gathered at this point in the presentation. Remind the audience that the Department’s monthly Touchbase magazine is available for them online at - they need to click on Information for Advisers and Intermediaries to find it. Its audience is advisers and intermediaries
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Employment Support Allowance
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Employment Support Allowance Changes
12 month limit for ESA (contribution based) Makes ESA more consistent with JSA Came into effect on 30 April 2012 Estimate that 60% of those affected will be eligible for ESA (Income based)
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Benefits Cap
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Benefits Cap April 2013 the Government will introduce a cap on the total amount of benefit. it is estimated that it will be set at £500 per week for families and at £350 per week for single adult households without children 44% of households are in the Social rented sector 69% of households have 3 or more children 63% of households in London and South East Affect 750 households across Devon and Cornwall April 2013 the Government will introduce a cap on the total amount of benefit that working-age people can receive so that households on out-of-work benefits will no longer receive more in welfare payments than the average weekly wage for working households. Be no right of Appeal, the cap will be assessed on benefit entitlement not on that awarded.
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Benefits Cap The cap will apply to the combined income from the main out-of-work benefits (Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, and Employment and Support Allowance except when the Support Component is in payment); Universal Credit (from October 2013) Housing Benefit; Child Benefit Child Tax Credit; and Other benefits such as Carer’s Allowance. People who have been employed for 52 weeks or more when they claim benefit but who lose their job through no fault of their own, may be exempt from the cap for up to 9 months. People could also move to cheaper accommodation or negotiate a rent reduction to one that is more affordable There is an increase in the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme, so that Local Authorities can help the transition
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Benefits Cap Exemptions
The following households will be exempt from the cap: Those entitled to Working Tax Credit Those in receipt of: Disability Living Allowance Personal Independence Payment (from April 2013) Attendance Allowance The support component of ESA Constant Attendance Allowance Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit War Widows and War Widowers pension Claimants who have been in employment for 52 weeks or more when they claim benefit will be exempt from the cap for up to 39 weeks People who have been employed for 52 weeks or more when they claim benefit but who lose their job through no fault of their own, may be exempt from the cap for up to 9 months. People could also move to cheaper accommodation or negotiate a rent reduction to one that is more affordable There is an increase in the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme, so that Local Authorities can help the transition
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Lone Parent Obligations
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Lone Parent Obligations
Lone Parents will no longer receive Income Support solely on the grounds of being a Lone Parent This will be rolled out as follows and will extend jobseeking support to more lone parents. From 21 May 2012 for new & repeat claims those with youngest child aged 5. From 21 May 2012 existing lone parent customers with youngest child aged 6 will begin to lose their IS entitlement. From 20 August 2012 for existing IS claims based solely on being a lone parent where youngest child is 5. Informing customers by letter from 22 March. Work Focused support also available for those on IS.
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Social Justice
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The Social Justice Strategy
The Social Justice Strategy launched on 13 March sets out the Government’s commitment to: support the most disadvantaged individuals and families to turn their lives around – and outline progress under this Government drive innovation in delivery: social investment, payment by results, open commissioning, local autonomy support local leaders in taking forward the principles set out in the strategy set a direction for the Parliament Social Justice is concerned with understanding and tackling the root causes of entrenched disadvantage, enabling the most vulnerable people in society to get a foot on the ladder and ensuring that they have the opportunity to realise their potential. The strategy sets out the Governments strong commitment to giving individuals and families facing multiple disadvantages the support and tools they need to help themselves.
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Social Justice Strategy: Principles
Social justice is about giving individuals and families facing multiple disadvantages the support and tools they need to turn their lives around A new set of principles that inform the approach: 1. A focus on prevention and early intervention 2. Where problems do arise, a focus on recovery as the primary aim 3. Promoting work as the most sustainable route out of poverty 4. Encouraging innovation in the commissioning, funding and delivery of services 5. Recognising the role of local Government, the voluntary and community sector and grassroots delivery in offering the most targeted support 6. Empowering people and communities to take a greater responsibility for the services they use 7. Ensuring that interventions provide a fair deal for the taxpayer Over the coming year the Social Justice team will talk to service deliverers at all levels to explore: what barriers exist to delivering effectively for this group how we can harness the power of local and community leadership to deliver on our aims for the agenda what we can collectively do to share best practise and drive further innovation in funding and delivery. If you would be interested in getting involved in this work please contact the social justice team by at. The full strategy can be read on the DWP website.
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Social Justice The Government has recently published a Social Justice strategy paper “Social Justice: Transforming Lives” It aims to support individuals and families facing multiple disadvantages It focuses on tackling the root causes of problems It aims to harness the power of local and community leadership Social Justice is concerned with understanding and tackling the root causes of entrenched disadvantage, enabling the most vulnerable people in society to get a foot on the ladder and ensuring that they have the opportunity to realise their potential. The strategy sets out the Governments strong commitment to giving individuals and families facing multiple disadvantages the support and tools they need to help themselves. The full strategy can be read on the DWP website
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Social Fund Changes
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Social Fund Changes There will also be major changes to the current Social Fund with much responsibility for delivering transferring to local authorities
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Social Fund Reform The Social Fund is not closing as the regulated fund will continue payments for maternity, cold weather/winter fuel heating and funeral expenses. Universal Credit will provide a better service with payments on account, supporting many people in need of short and longer term credit facilities. Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans will be replaced by Local Welfare Provision delivered by local authorities in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. What happens now – why change? Social Fund was introduced in to replace the Single Payments scheme. Currently there is a diverse set of payments, grants and loans with differing eligibility criteria with the exception of Funeral Payments, the Regulated Fund has set amounts; and The Discretionary Fund, at the Decision Maker’s discretion, is cash limited. Designed to help people on low incomes to spread the cost of intermittent expenses over a long period and cope with emergencies. DWP administers the Social Fund in-house. The grants scheme has not evolved to reflect the wider social care agenda.
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Short Term Advances Short Term Advances of benefit will replace Social Fund Crisis Loan alignment payments and interim payments of benefit from April 2013 for all benefits. This will ensure that those facing immediate financial need when making a new benefit claim or following a change of circumstances continue to have access to some funds. It is likely that claimants will be required to repay a Short Term Advance over a reduced period of time, when compared to Crisis Loan alignment payments. Short Term Advances will be an advance of benefit and not a loan.
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Budgeting Loans Budgeting Loans are intended to help claimants with intermittent expenses such as needing to buy essential items like furniture, household equipment or expenses related to starting work. Once all claimants have migrated to the Universal Credit platform, Budgeting Loans will no longer be available. To retain the protection currently available to benefit claimants via the Social Fund : Budgeting Advances will replace Budgeting Loans for Universal Credit claimants from 1st April 2013. Budgeting Loans will continue for legacy benefit claimants yet to migrate to Universal Credit.
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Budgeting Loans BUDGETING LOANS BUDGETING ADVANCES
Budgeting Loans can be “topped up” to the maximum so long as a certain amount has been repaid. Only one Advance at a time. No further Advances until it is repaid in full. Repaid over a period of up to 104 weeks, although often less. Repaid over a maximum period of 12 months. Is a Loan paid out of the Discretionary Social Fund. Will be an Advance of benefit in Universal Credit.
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Implementation timeline
April 2013 – Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans will be abolished. Replacement local welfare provision will be implemented. Alignment payments and Interim payments will be replaced by Short Term Advances of benefit. October 2013 – the introduction of Universal Credit. Introduction of Budgeting Advances for eligible Universal Credit customers to replace Budgeting Loans. However, this will be introduced from April 2013 in Pathfinder areas. 2013 to 2017 – Budgeting Loans will remain for those receiving legacy benefits until Universal Credit is fully rolled out and all customers migrate across to Universal Credit. Budgeting Advances will replace Budgeting Loans for Pension Credit customers during this time.
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Localisation of the Social Fund Cornwall Council
Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
The Changes From April 2013, the Government are abolishing the current system of Discretionary Payments from the Social Fund. In their place, in England, will be a new local provision provided by Local Authorities to replace Community Care Grants and general living expense Crisis Loans. Social Fund scheme currently includes a regulated scheme made up of: Sure Start Maternity Grants Funeral Payments Cold Weather Payments Winter Fuel Payments And a discretionary scheme made up of: Community Care Grants Budgeting Loans Crisis Loans Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
The Reforms Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans for general living expenses (including rent in advance) will be abolished from April 2013 and replaced by new local provision. The new provision will be administered by local authorities in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. Crisis Loan Alignment Payments From April 2013 Crisis Loan alignment payments and other Crisis Loans paid due to issues with benefit will be replaced by a new national scheme of Short Term Advances. This will be administered by the Department for Work and Pensions. Budgeting Loans Budgeting Loans will continue to be available until Universal Credit is fully rolled out. As people migrate across to Universal Credit they will have access to a new system of Budgeting Advances that will replace Budgeting Loans for Universal Credit recipients. Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Social Fund: key messages
The Government supports Local Authorities to design schemes which reflect local needs and priorities. There is no expectation or desire from central government that the new service will mirror the current scheme in whole or in part. The Government believes these services can be more effectively run locally where they are linked to other support services. The Government would encourage Local Authorities to utilise existing delivery mechanism and structures where possible. Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Delivery How are Cornwall Council thinking of delivering this new local provision? DWP have held a series of workshops with LA’s around the country to consider how transferred funds can be used to best effect to support the most vulnerable from April 2013. There appear to be four main design options that most LA’s are considering: Align & combine the funding to existing services & duties, Contract with new or existing external partners, A mixture of the above, Create a new service. Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Delivery Within this, four main delivery options are being considered: Cash grants, Goods instead of cash, Vouchers or coupons, Mixture of the above, Each Local Authority will be provided with indicative figures for their Programme Funding shortly via a Settlement Letter sent to their Chief Executive Officer. This funding is based on 2005/06 spend for Cornwall = circa £890K (2009/10 spend £1.1m). Information correct at 12 March 2012
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An overview of the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit changes for 2013, & beyond.
David Frankcom Training & Procedure Officer (Shared Services)
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Summary of the changes Council Tax Benefit to be replaced with a local scheme, Local Housing Allowance rates to be uprated by Consumer Price Index (CPI), Size restrictions will be introduced in the Social Rent Sector, Household Benefit Cap, Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Local Council Tax scheme Local scheme will start on 1 April 2013, Funded by a fixed grant payment, Grant will be 10% less than current cost of Council Tax Benefit, No change to pensioners current level of award, Scheme must have regard to vulnerable groups (i.e. young children, disabled, etc, - NB; these groups will be defined by the LA), Schemes need to support work incentives, Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Impacts of the Council Tax scheme The Council will be consulting widely on its proposed scheme over the coming months, Customers will have around 6 months to consider the impact of the proposed changes and try to adjust their budgets accordingly, Interim scheme for 2013 in order to meet timescales, Scheme likely to evolve in future years, Forecasting demand will be difficult, Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Impacts of the Council Tax scheme (continued) We will be running two schemes – one for pensioners and one for working age, 10% reduction, in grant, whilst also protecting pensioners & any vulnerable groups could mean an average cut of around 20% for other customers of working age, Working age customers will have little notice once the scheme is finalised in order to adjust their budget, Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Consumer Price Index (CPI) uprating of Local Housing Allowance rates (LHA) From April 2012 the LHA rates have been frozen, From April 2013 LHA rates will be uprated each year on basis of CPI rather than by reference to local rents, From April 2013, therefore, the LHA rates will be set annually at the lower of – *The previous LHA rate increased by the CPI inflation amount based on the previous September CPI figure, or *The 30th percentile of local market rents as at the previous September. Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Impact of CPI on LHA rates Customers will need to move to cheaper accommodation or make up the difference from other sources of income, Increased demand for social housing if private sector becomes unaffordable, Increased hardship – risk of homelessness / debt, Customers reliant on Housing Benefit confined to areas of low rents, Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Size restrictions in the Social Rent Sector From April 2013 there will be size restrictions for working age Housing Benefit customers in the social rent sector, One spare bedroom – 14% reduction in rent allowed for Housing Benefit, Two or more spare bedrooms – 25% reduction in rent allowed for Housing Benefit, Change doesn’t apply to pensioners, Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Size restrictions in the Social Rent Sector (SRS) - change effect forecasts (National & Local) **the LA will be working closely with Housing and Registered Provider’s to collate the exact numbers for Cornwall** Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Impact of size restriction Higher demand for smaller properties, Higher demand on homelessness services, as eviction due to rent arrears will impact on temporary accommodation, Increase in transfer applications, Increase in Discretionary Housing Payment applications, LA will be contacting those affected by ‘under occupation’ but awaiting software from Capita. This is due by mid September and so the LA will be working with its partners to target relevant households during Sept. / Oct. Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Household Benefit Cap From April 2013 the Government will introduce a cap on the total amount of benefit, Estimated at £500 per week for couples and lone parents & £350 per week for single adult households, Local Authority initially responsible for administration as reduction will be applied to Housing Benefit first, DWP have already written to identified customers who they think will be hit by the cap & the LA will also be communicating with these people over the coming months, Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Household Benefit Cap (continued) The Government are considering: Transitional arrangements to help families hit by the cap, e.g. a fund to help with moving costs if they can no longer remain in their home, A ‘grace period’ of 39 weeks for customers who have been in work continuously for the previous 12 months, paid National Insurance contributions, and who lose their job through no fault of their own, Exemption for households placed in expensive temporary accommodation by local authority, Other exemptions, plus transitions and protections may apply, Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Impact of Household Benefit Cap In Cornwall there are approximately 150 households that will be affected by this cap, Likely to effect larger families or those with high rent, Increased demand on Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP), An online calculator is now available to use at The helpline number is Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
What can Cornwall Council do to help? LA will be given more money to help through the Discretionary Housing Payment fund, a final figure will be notified at the end of the calendar year, DHP can be used to fund deposits for moves to more affordable accommodation, Only enough for short term awards to allow customers to adjust their budget, Further increase next year to help with Benefit Cap & Social Rent Size criteria, Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Information correct at 12 March 2012
Contacts: Mark Ransom - Assessment Manager, Shared Services (Assessments) Housing Benefit (Assessments) Shared Services Team: Housing Advice Team: Information correct at 12 March 2012
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Pensions Changes
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The Pensions Act From April 2016, women's State Pension age will rise faster than originally planned, equalising with men's at 65 by November 2018. Between December 2018 and October 2020, men and women's State Pension ages will be increased from 65 to 66. Under the current law State Pension age will already increase to: 67 between 2034 and 2036 68 between 2044 and 2046 … but the government aims to increase the State pension age sooner! We’ve already written to women born up to 5 April 1953 to tell them their new State Pension age will be between 62and 63 years. We plan to write to customers affected by the new legislation born up to 5 April 1955 telling them their actual State Pension age (Jan-March 2012). We plan to carry out research for future groups to test the effectiveness of direct mail and whether we can to deliver the message more effectively. People can find their State Pension age by visiting Individuals can find out about the benefits to working by visiting
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Single Tier Pension This will help simplify a complex, means tested system 45% of existing pensioners eligible for Pension Credit At present it will take decades to yield equal state pension outcomes for women and for low paid workers Introduce a flat rate state pension above the basic means tested level – Go Live 2016
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Auto Enrolment Around 7 million people are not currently saving enough for their retirement and many face significant barriers to starting to save Starting from October 2012, millions of workers will be enrolled into a workplace pension. Those working for the largest employers will be enrolled first. Aim is that all firms implement by 1st April 2017. Individuals looking for information on what automatic enrolment means for them should go to There is a call centre available for those without internet access. A Government campaign aimed at getting millions of people saving more for their retirement launched on 16 January. The campaign comes ahead of the start of automatic enrolment into workplace pensions, beginning in October for the largest employers. It will explain the fundamentals of the reforms and signpost people to the Directgov website where they can find out more. The campaign will include radio, print, online and outdoor advertising and will run in waves to build towards the launch in October
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The Digital Agenda "The future is bright, but it has to be digital"
JSA Online has been updated, making it easier for people to find and claim on Directgov Digital champions are supporting the digital agenda in each Jobcentre, making them a great point of contact for all external stakeholders. Working closely with digital partners such as UK Online on events, training and access to the internet Aim is that digital becomes main channel to claim benefit and search for jobs. Leading to Universal Credit being digital by default Over 1.4 million people have claimed JSA online (26% of all JSA claims were made online in December 2011) Over 1.6million visits to the online Benefit Adviser Service to November 2011 The job search tool continues to be the most popular part of Directgov with an average of over 3million visits per week in January 2012 And of course the DWP website holds lots of information on a whole host of topics for advisers, intermediaries, partners and providers.
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At what point are we at now?
86% of our current JSA claimants CURRENTLY USE the internet 79% of our customers have regular ACCESS to the internet 39% of our IS customers and 31% of ESA/IB customers use internet on a daily basis 21% of our customers in Southern England have used the internet TO CLAIM BENEFIT to date ~ although 71% said they would consider claiming online The percentage of companies using their websites to advertise jobs over the past 5 years has increased from 72% to 93%
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DWP - Why Digital? The world is increasingly digital
JSA Online, Benefits Adviser Service Self Service enables organisations to use their staff where they add most value We need to be ready, willing and able to support our customers be job ready, stay in work and draw on a network of support
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80% JSA related contacts digitalised by 2013
Our Digital Service Directgov 24/7 online service More vacancies online, digital job alerts, automated job matching Channel Shift 80% JSA related contacts digitalised by 2013 £ ? Online changes e.g. address, payment method Benefits adviser, estimates, ‘what if’ scenarios – already used by 3.2m + customers So finally whats in the future on the digital agenda : Just a few things we have coming up …. To continue our work to ramp up the promotion of JSA Online and other online services in readiness for the introduction of Universal Credit . Online information from the Government is changing. The new website – gov.uk which will replace Direct Gov – will draw together all central government online content and information into a simpler, more user-friendly website. The website is in its second phase of testing, known as ‘beta’: people can now try it out while it is being developed. Directgov remains the place for customers and claimants to go to find information about looking for a job, benefits and pensions. Transforming Labour Market Services is a web based job posting and matching service will be available to all UK jobseekers and recruiters 24/7 An integrated system will be created where employers can directly manage job vacancies, job seekers can manage their profiles on line and both parties can received matched details. JCP Advisers will be given view access. It is hoped this will be launched in Autumn and will be delivered by Monster Worldwide UK . Hasn’t got a name as yet …. Internet Enabled Devices. Although the majority of JCP customers have access to digital channels there are still a significant number of customers that do not so DWP is providing internet enabled devices in local JCP offices for customers to conduct their online job search, create CVs and access JSA Online. This has being tested in two offices and these will be rolled out in some of our Jobcentres from … Electronic Signing still requires the claimant to come into local office and sign to say they are activity seeking work in order to receive their JSA . However , this will reduce paperwork and avoidable customer contact. A Pathfinder pilot is due to commence in Spring 2012 Benefit Enquiry service in Sept this year - will be able to report change of circs etc…???check if this is still happening .. SMS texting - now able to contact customers by text - reminders for job interviews and job alerts – have a selection of templates we can use . It is all a big challenge - it took HMRC 8 years to reach 75% take up on Tax Self Assessment, and DVLA 7 years to reach 70% for car tax discs !!!! Digital claim process including some appointment booking – choice of access e.g. PC, smart phone
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And finally…..How we will keep you updated on future changes:
DWP website: Stakeholder Bulletin: stakeholder-bulletin/, And, by distribution: Southern England Group NEWS Update 8 Update
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Key Dates April 2012 ESA (C) WRAG time-limiting
May 2012 Lone Parent IS Entitlement changes (New / Repeat) August 2012 Lone Parent IS Entitlement changes (Existing) April 2013 Benefits Cap Social Fund Reform Universal Credit pathfinder Personal Independence Payment (PIP) pathfinder June 2013 PIP New Claims October 2013 Reassessment of DLA claims begins April 2014 Universal Credit (start transfer of existing claims) Incapacity Benefit reassessment complete
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