North Ayrshire Council Actions to mitigate impact & services available

Action to Mitigate Impact  Set up Corporate Working Group  Establishing links with DWP  Partnership working across all agencies to co-ordinate efforts – Working Group with RSLs  Reviewing housing policies - allocations, arrears, suspension policies  Recruitment of Welfare Reform Team (Temporary)  Prepare to collect rent from most of our tenants

Action to Mitigate Impact  Review council house new build programme  Review of Pressured Area Status properties  Staff training  In depth discussion at point of offer for those affected  Promotion of direct debit at sign up  Monitor impact

Communication  Web site development  Pan Ayrshire Leaflets / Posters / Radio Campaign / Newspaper articles  Members briefing pack  “You tube” DVD  Third Sector Seminar  External presentations  Tenancy Matters Magazine  Letters to claimants

Welfare Reform Advice Team  Manager  9 Tenancy Support Workers  Administrative Assistant  Welfare Rights Officer  Debt Advice Worker  Mobile working  0300 number

Advice & Assistance Provided  Housing options  Budgeting  Income maximisation  Debt advice  Payment methods  DHP applications  Support referrals

Progress to Date  Letter sent to all tenants affected with info leaflet  2,258 tenants visited at 21 June 2013 (94.6%)  1,889 at home and provided with advice & assistance (79.2%)

Benefit Cap – Our Response  Welfare Reform Advice Team to visit tenants  Offering budgeting, welfare rights and debt advice  Awareness Raising – Information Leaflets, Tenants Newsletter  Homeless Services - Review

SWF - Customer Journey Paper / Phone application Customer calls & contact centre takes customer through eligibility checker If approved - call back appointment to complete the application over the phone. Paper application completed by customer or by person on their behalf Application & supporting evidence sent to Benefits Service, Cunninghame House, Irvine, KA12 8EE or handed in at ground floor enquiry counter Cunninghame House, Irvine – no decision made at this stage Application processing Application received in back-office, updated to database, reviewed & decision made by back office Notification of decision & Payment Customer advised of outcome by phone, text or letter Written confirmation issued & includes review rights Payment of grant PayPoint Voucher issued to applicant PECOS order for goods via furnishing service

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs)  Total NAC funding £668,032 (£273,421 from UK Govt, £394,611 from Council)  Policy has been developed  Guidance has been issued to staff  Temporary financial support  Hardship & housing costs  Must be in receipt of Housing Benefit  Council Tax Reduction not applicable  Income Assessment  Circumstances of applicant

DHP Priority Groups Disabled AdaptationsUp to 12 months or the end of the financial year whichever is earlier. 100% Significant Birthday1 week up to 6 months or the end of the financial year whichever is earlier. 100% Foster Parents & Kinship Carer & more than 1 additional bedroom required 1 week up to 6 months or the end of the financial year whichever is earlier. 100% Pensioner approaching State Pension Credit Age 1 week up to 6 months or the end of the financial year whichever is earlier. 100% Single under 25 years old & on Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance. Up to 12 months or the end of the financial year whichever is earlier. 100% Benefit Cap1 week up to 6 months or the end of the financial year whichever is earlier. 100% Under 35 subject to Shared Room Rate1 week up to 6 months or the end of the financial year whichever is earlier. 10%– 100% General Hardship1 week up to 6 months or the end of the financial year whichever is earlier. 10% – 100%