Impact of welfare reform on people with disabilities ADASS November 27 th 2015 Gary Vaux, Hertfordshire County Council

What are the major benefit changes?

Under-occupation penalty (“bedroom tax”) Benefit Cap (£25k a year….and reducing) Changes to tax credits (thresholds and taper rate in 2016; 2-child limit in 2017) Loss of Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans Many benefits frozen for 4 years Delays, changes and restrictions in disability benefits – PIP replacing DLA Sanctions for JSA, ESA and UC claimants Waiting Days Exclusion from financial services and digital access …..and Universal Credit almost here

Employment and Support Allowance Who gets it? How do you get it? What are the problems?

EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE (ESA) For people aged 16 to pension age who aren’t fully fit for work “Work Capability Assessment” often incorrect (despite new assessors) Can be paid to students – which sometimes creates a ‘better-off’ problem for some families Can do some part-time ‘Permitted Work’ and still get ESA Increasing use of sanctions April 2017 – end of ‘work-related activity’ group; lower rate of benefit (£30 a week less)?

PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (DAILY LIVING) Who gets it? How do you get it? What are the problems?

PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (MOBILITY) Who gets it? How do you get it? What are the problems?

PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (DAILY LIVING and MOBILITY) Replaces disability living allowance (DLA) for everyone aged 16 or more Now being rolled-out nationally Not the same as ESA – different test but still based on scoring points Can be paid if working or studying High rate of refusals but high rate of appeal wins!

CHANGES TO TAX CREDITS Debate focussed on families but disabled workers also lose out from Working Tax Credit changes – lower threshold and higher rate of withdrawal

UNIVERSAL CREDIT Who gets it? How do you get it? What are the problems?

UNIVERSAL CREDIT ESA, housing benefit etc will stop and Universal Credit takes over. Not sure WHEN that might happen but probably not till 2018 for people with disabilities (April 2016 for newly-unemployed) Claim and maintain on-line Benefit paid once a month, not every week or fortnight – and 6 week wait for first payment Easier to get benefits sorted-out if someone moves into a job. “Universal Support Delivered Locally” – personal budgeting support and alternative payment arrangements

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