East Sussex Area Welfare Reform Project Ian Fitzpatrick Snr Head of Community Eastbourne Borough Council

Background Impact on East Sussex - report Actions Questions

Project group Formed in summer 2012 Reps from across East Sussex with Supporting People taking lead coordination role Reporting to ES Strategic Forum

Impact for East Sussex Incapacity Benefit to Employment Support –12,400 people claiming Incapacity Benefit –Reassessment btw now and March 2014 –4,440 likely to be found fit for work –1,800 appeals with 680 successful –Estimated loss of ES residents circa £5.5m

Local Housing Allowance –Est 370 affected by single room rate (25-34’s) –Local Housing Rates in line with CPI not actual market rents from April 13 – Access to private accommodation?

Housing Benefits –Non-dependent deductions increased –Bedroom tax for those under occupying in Social Sector 247 under occupying by one bedroom = £11pw (14%) 78 under occupying by two bedrooms = £21pw (25%) (Eastbourne BC figures) Rent arrears, evictions demand for smaller properties

Tax credits –1,640 people affected by requirement to work more hours before claiming Tax Credits –Couple with children required to work 24 hours a week with one working at least 16 hours –Reduction in Tax credits impact on households on low incomes

Universal Credit –By 2017, 61,500 households will be claiming UC. –23,000 support to rise –20,750 support to fall –17,750 same –Stricter conditions and sanctions –Paid Monthly –Payment to claimant not L/L

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) –By end of process 3,700 fewer people claiming PIP than old DLA –4,100 reduced awards –Estimated £13m lower –Concern over assessment process –Support to appeal

Local Council Tax Support and… –Y1 some reductions but protection –Pensioners protected –Impact on working age Social Fund, Child Benefit, Legal Service Commission funding etc……….

Mapping and analysis Early findings: Highly complex and confusing changes Individuals not engaging Difficult to communicate unless ‘face to face’ Pressure on already stretched advice sector Risk of increased service demand from evictions, Hmls, rent/CT collection rates etc

Future actions Business case for prevention – budgeting on less Build on local initiatives Train wider pool of staff to provide front line Commission Specialist Support and Advice for Transition phase Communications – timely and targeted

Questions and discussion