A quick guide to Welfare Benefits & Welfare Reforms
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A quick guide to
Welfare Benefits & Welfare Reforms
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A quick guide to Welfare Benefits & Welfare Reforms
Introduction 4HousingBenefit 6The“BedroomTax” 8WhatishappeningtoLocalHousingAllowance? 10WhatishappeningtotheSharedAccommodationRate? 11WhatisDiscretionaryHousingPayment? 12JobSeekersAllowance 14RapidReclaim/JSACommitment/VerbalInstruction 15Employment&SupportAllowance 16WhatisaBenefitSanction? 20WhatisaMandatoryReconsideration? 23TheSocialFund 24TheRegulatedSocialFund 25WhatisaBudgetingLoan? 27DisabilityLivingAllowance 28UniversalCredit 30HouseholdBenefitCap 31CarersAllowance 32TaxCredits 33IndependentAdviceandInformation 34Navigate 35
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If you have any questions, comments or ideas on howwecould improve this briefing, or formore information aboutthecontentpleasecontact:
• JohannaSpeirsatGCVS:01412712302,[email protected]
• ClaireFrewatGlasgowHomelessnessNetwork01414207272oremailclaire@ghn.org.uk
Introduction This Guide to Benefit Changes and Welfare Reforms is brought to you byGlasgowHomelessnessNetwork(GHN)andGlasgowCouncilfortheVoluntarySector(GCVS).
TheWelfareReformAct2012hadmanyimplicationsforpeopleaccessingthewelfarebenefitssystem.Thisguidewillbeupdatedquarterlytoprovideourmemberorganisationswithuptodateinformationthatreflectsthechangesand reforms as they are being made. This will include implementation ofthefurtherwelfarechangescontainedwithintheUKGovernment’sSummerBudget2015outlinedon08July2015.
Throughout the guide we have included links to extended briefings andinformationresourceswheremoredetailedinformationoradvice.
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Glossary of Terms & AbbreviationsThroughout the guide we often refer to the benefits people mightbe in receipt of by their initials.We also use standard terms that theDepartmentforWorkandPensionsuse.ThisGlossaryisintendedtohelpyouunderstandthetermsandanyabbreviationsweuse.
Abbreviations
TermsMeans Tested – Your entitlement to this benefit depends on theincomeofyouandyourpartnerifappropriate.
Contributions Based –Yourentitlementtothisbenefitdependsontheamountofnationalinsuranceyouhavepaidintothesystem,if/whenyoupreviouslyworked.
Employment&SupportAllowance ESAIncomeSupport ISJobSeekersAllowance JSAHousingBenefit HBLocalHousingAllowance LHADisabilityLivingAllowance DLAPersonalIndependencePayment PIPWorkCapabilityAssessment WCADiscretionaryHousingPayment DHPWorkingTaxCredit WTCUniversalCredit UC
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Housing Benefit TherehavebeenanumberofchangestoHousingBenefit(HB)Rulesoverthepastthreeyears;manyoftheseaffectpeoplelivingintheSocialRentedSector.
What are non-dependent deductions?Non-dependentdeductionsapplytopeopleinthesocialrentedsectorwhohaveanon-dependent(someoneaged18orover)livingwiththem.TheamountofHBawardedtotheclaimantwillbereducedbasedontheemploymentstatusandincomeofthenon-dependent.
Somepeopleareexemptfromthischangeandnon-dependentdeductionsdonotapplyif:
1. ThepersoninreceiptofHB,ortheirpartner,receivesthecarecomponentofDisabilityLivingAllowance(DLA)orPersonalIndependentPayment(PIP),orreceivesAttendanceAllowance(AA).
2. Thenon-dependentisafulltimestudent,receivesatrainingallowanceorpensioncredit.
3. Thenondependantisunder25yearsoldandinreceiptofJobSeekersAllowance(JSA),IncomeSupport(IS)ortheassessmentphaseofEmploymentSupportAllowance(ESA).
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AsofApril2015thelevelofweeklydeductionfromhousingbenefitweresetat:
Circumstance of Non- Dependent Deduction p/w
Agedover25andreceivingISorJSA £14.55
Agedover18andnotinpaidwork £14.55
InreceiptofmainphaseESA £14.55
Aged over 18 and in paid work
Grossincomelessthan£129.00p/w £14.55
Grossincomebetween£129.00and£188.99p/w £33.40
Grossincomebetween£189.00and£245.99p/w £45.85
Grossincomebetween£246.00and£327.99p/w £75.05
Grossincomebetween£328.00and£407.99p/w £85.45
Grossincomeofmorethan£408.00p/w £93.80
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What is happening to Under Occupancy Rules? - The Bedroom Tax
UnderOccupancyRules (TheBedroomTax) still apply topeople inScotlandwholive insocialrentedaccommodationandareassessedashavingoneormoreextrabedrooms.Howeverthereismoneyavailabletothoseaffectedtocoveranyshortfall.
AnyonewhoisaffectedbytheserulesshouldcontacttheirLocalAuthoritytomakeanapplicationforDiscretionaryHousingPayment(DHP).
GlasgowCityCouncilDHPApplicationFormscanbedownloadedbyvisiting:
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=15006&p=0
IfyoureceivedDHPlastyearbecauseyouwereaffectedbytheBedroomTaxthispaymentwillcontinueandyoudon’tneedtoreapply.
Bedroom Tax ToolkitYoucanappealagainstthebedroomtaxdecisionifyoubelieveitisunfair;Unitehaveproducedahelpfultoolkitwhichcanbefoundhere:
http://www.unitetheunion.org/uploaded/documents/bedroomtaxtoolkit11-17295.pdf
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Bedroom Tax ExemptionsThereareanumberofexemptionstotheBedroomTax:
a)
b)
c)
What is happening to the Shared Accommodation Rate?
If you have continuously claimed Housing Benefit since 1996youareexemptfromdeductions.IfyoufitintothiscategoryandhavebeenpayingtheBedroomTaxyoushouldcontactyourLocalAuthoritytorequestarefundofthismoney.
Ifyouhaveadisabledchildwhoisreceivingthehigherormiddlerate care component of Disability Living Allowance they arepermitted tohave their ownbedroom, regardless of their age.AlsoifyouhavechildwhomtheLocalAuthorityissatisfiedcannotshareabedroomduetotheircondition.
Ifyouareanapprovedfostercarer,haveachildinthearmedforcesorarethetenantorpartnerofsomeonewhoneedsanovernightcarer,thenyouarealsoentitledtohaveanextrabedroom.
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What is happening to Local Housing Allowance?
LocalHousingAllowance (LHA) applies to those living in thePrivateRentedSector.Amaximumamounthasbeen set for LHAdependingon the sizeofaccommodationanditslocation.
AsofApril2015theweeklyLHAratesforGlasgoware:
Shared Accommodation Rate £68.28 (for those under 35 with no dependent children)
1 bedroom £92.06
2 bedroom £116.53
3 bedroom £137.31
4 bedroom £206.03
Ifyourrentisabovetheratesetouthere,orifyouliveinahomewithmorethan4bedroomsyouwillhavetomakeuptheshortfallinrentfromyourotherincome.
Ifyouliveapropertythatislargerthanyourneedsandyouarestrugglingtomakeuptheshort fallyoucouldapply foraDiscretionaryHousingPayment(DHP).FormoreinformationonDHPpleaseseepage12.
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What is happening to the Shared Accommodation Rate? TheSharedAccommodationRateofLocalHousingAllowance(LHA)nowappliestosinglepeople,aged35andunderwithnodependentchildren.
ThisrulemeansthatLHAwillbepaidattherateforonebedroominasharedproperty(£68.28p/winGlasgowatApril2015)ratherthantherateforaselfcontainedonebedroomhome.
SharedAccommodationRatesonlyapplyinthePrivateRentedSector.ThoseexemptfromtheSharedAccommodationRateare:
1. Thosewhohavelivedinhomelesshostelaccommodationforatleastthreemonths.Thethreemonthsdoesnotneedtobecontinuous,orhavebeenspentinthesameaccommodation.Theclaimanthastoevidencetheirentitlementtothisexemption.
2. Thoseundertheageof22whohavepreviouslybeeninthecareofsocialservices.
3. PeoplereceivingmiddleorhigherrateofDisabilityLivingAllowance,oreitherrateofPersonalIndependencePaymentDailyLivingActivitiescomponent.
4. Peoplewhoareentitledtoanextrabedroomastheyrequireanovernightcarer.
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What is Discretionary Housing Payment?
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) can be made to someone receivingHousingBenefitorLocalHousingAllowance.DHPcanbeusedforanumberofreasons,including,butnotlimitedto:
• ShortfallinhousingcostsduetoBedroomTaxcharges;
• Helpingsomeonewhoismovingfromtemporaryor supportedaccommodationtoapermanenttenancy;
• FundingarentdepositforthePrivateRentedSector;
• Supportingthosemovingfrombenefitstopaidwork.
More information on DHP can be found here:
http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/300220/discretionary-housing-payments-guide-apr-14.pdf
IfyouliveinGlasgowandneedhelptomeetyourhousingcostsyoucanapplyforDHPat:http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/?articleid=5374
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DID YOU KNOW!
For every £12.50 spent on welfare benefits ONLY £1.00 goes to people of working age!
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Job Seekers Allowance How do I claim Job Seekers Allowance?TherearetwowaystoclaimJobSeekersAllowance(JSA),eitherbyphoneoronline.
Online ClaimsTheDepartment forWork andPensions (DWP) are encouragingmost people toclaimJSAonline.Ifyouareconfidentaboutusingacomputerandtheinternetyoucanmakeaclaimat:
https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/jsaol/lp
Telephone Claims TomakeaTelephoneClaimcall08000556688.
Whenyoucalltomakeaclaimoverthephoneyouwillbeassessedbyacallhandler.Iftheythinkyoucouldmakeanonlineclaimtheywilldirectyoutotheonlineclaimform(seethelinkabove).
Ifyoudon’tfeelabletouseacomputer,ordon’thaveaccesstoone,makethiscleartothecallhandler,itmayhelpifyoutellthem:
• Youdon’thavequick,directaccesstoasecurecomputer
• Youdon’thaveanyonewhocansupportyouthroughtheonlineclaimprocess
• Ifthereareanyotherspecialcircumstancesthatwouldmakeitdifficultforyoue.g.readingandwriting,learningorphysicaldisabilitiesetc.
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What is a Rapid Reclaim?If you have received Job SeekersAllowance in the last 182 days (around 6months,e.g.youleftJSAtostartajobbutthejobendedafter3months),youcanmakearapidreclaim.Rapidreclaimscanbemadeonlineat:
https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/jsaol/lp
What is the JSA Claimant Commitment? TheJSAClaimantCommitment isanagreementbetweenyouandyourWorkCoachattheJobcentreaboutthethingsyouwilldotolookforwork.It is important that the thingsyouagree todoare realisticandachievable-ifyouagreetosomethingthatyoucan’tdothenyoucouldfaceabenefitsanction(haveyourbenefitstopped)asaresult.
To find out more about benefit sanctions see page 24. Ifyoufaceanychallenges,orbarrierstolookingforworkitisincrediblyimportantthatyoutellyourWorkCoachaboutthese.
Can Claimant Commitments be changed? Yes–ClaimantCommitmentscanbechangedandifyourcircumstanceschangeyoushouldtellyourWorkCoachassoonaspossibleandrequestthatyourClaimantCommitmentbeupdatedtoreflectthis.
What is a Verbal Instruction? Averbal instructionissomethingthatyourWorkCoachtellsyoutodo. It isreallyimportantthatyouaskforallverbalinstructionstobewrittendown–tomakesurethatyouandyourworkcoachremembertheseandthatyoucan’tbesanctionedatalaterdatefornotcarryingitout.
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What is the Work Programme? IfyouhavebeenreceivingJSAfor3monthsormoreyoumayhavetojointheWorkProgramme.ItismandatoryandyourbenefitdependsuponyouattendingtheWorkProgramme–ifyourefusetoattendwithoutavalidreason,orifyoudon’tkeepupyourengagementwiththeprogrammeyoucouldfaceabenefitsanction.
TheWorkProgrammecanlastupto2yearsandyoumayberequiredtoengageintraining,workexperienceorsectorbasedworkacademies.
Employment & Support Allowance
What is Employment and Support Allowance? Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) replaces Incapacity Benefit, andeveryonewhoisstillreceivingIncapacityBenefitwillbemigrated(moved)overtoESA.
ESAisforpeoplewhoaretooilltoworkandhavenoothermeansofincome(e.g.sickpayfromanemployer)andhavebeengivenamedicalcertificatefromtheirDoctorwhichstatesthis.TomakeanESAclaimcall08000556688.
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What is the ESA Assessment? WhenyoufirstapplyforESAyouwillbesubjecttoa13week‘assessmentphase’,duringthistimetheDepartmentforWorkandPensions(DWP)willdecidewhetherornotyouareabletowork.Duringtheassessmentphaseyoumayberequiredtofillinaquestionnaireorattenda‘workcapabilityassessment’.
Attheendof13weekstheDWPwillmakeadecisionaboutyourabilitytowork,therearethreepossibleoutcomesforyourclaim:
Fit for WorkIfyouarefound‘FitforWork’yourESAentitlementstopsandyoumustapply for another benefit, usually Job Seekers Allowance. If you don’tagreewiththedecisionyoushouldsubmitaMandatoryReconsideration.TofindoutmoreaboutsubmittingaMandatoryReconsiderationseepage19.
Work Related Activity If youare found tohave limitedcapacity forworkat themoment,butareexpectedtobeabletoworkatsomepointinthefutureyouwillbeplacedintheWorkRelatedActivityGroup(WRAG).Thismeansyouwillget an additional amountofmoney (premium)on topof the standardESArateyoureceivedthroughouttheassessmentphase.WhenyouareintheWRAGtherearecertainthingsyouwillhavetodoinordertoreceiveyourbenefite.g. attendwork focussed interviewsor takepart inworkrelatedactivity.Ifyoudon’tdowhatyouareaskedtodobyyouradvisoryourbenefitcouldbestopped.Tofindoutmoreaboutsanctions,seepage25.
Support GroupIfyouarefoundtohaveaseverelylimitedcapacityforworkyouwillbeawarded the Support Group premium in addition to the standard ESAratethatyoureceivedthroughouttheassessmentphase.IfyouareintheSupportGroupyouaren’trequiredtodoanythingtoreceiveyourbenefit.
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What is an ESA Reassessment? ContributionsbasedESAisn’tmeanstested–thatmeansitisn’tbasedonyourhouseholdincomeorsavings–soifyouhavepaidenoughNationalInsuranceContributionsthroughworkyouwillbeentitledtoESAfor52weeks.
If,aftera reassessmentyouare found ‘Fit forWork’oraremovedfromtheSupportGrouptotheWorkRelatedActivityGroupandyoudon’tagreewiththedecisionyoushouldsubmitaMandatoryReconsideration.
Can I get Contributions Based ESA?ContributionsbasedESAisn’tmeanstested(basedonyourhouseholdincomeor savings) – if you have paid in enough National Insurance contributionsthroughworkyouwillbeentitledtoESAfor52weeks.
IfyouareplacedintheWorkRelatedActivityGroupyouwillhavetoreapplyforESAafteroneyear,atwhichpointyourhouseholdincomeandanysavingswillbetakenintoconsideration.
IfyouareplacedintheSupportGroupyouwillbereassessedafteroneyearand, if after reassessment, you are still in the SupportGroup your ESAwillcontinue. Ifyouare reassessedasbeing in theWorkRelatedActivityGroupyouwillhavetoreapplyformeanstestedESA.
DID YOU KNOW!
Only 3% of the money spent on welfare benefits is spent on Job Seekers Allowance!
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What is a Benefit Sanction? IfyoureceiveJobSeekersAllowance(JSA)orEmployment&SupportAllowance(ESA)youcouldbesubjecttoabenefitsanction–thismeansyourbenefitpaymentswillstopforaperiodoftimebecauseyoudidordidn’tdosomethingwhichwouldhavehelpedyoumovetowardswork.
YoushouldappealALLbenefitsanctions.Youareentitledtochallengeasanction,andyouwillprobablybesuccessful.
IfyouaresanctionedandneedmoneyyoucanapplyforaDWPhardshippaymenton03456088545oraScottishWelfareFundCrisisGranton01412761177.
Job Seekers Allowance SanctionsIfyoureceiveasanctiononyourJobSeekersAllowance(JSA),allofyourbenefitwillbestopped.
Thelengthoftimethesanctionlastswilldependonhowseverethe‘failure’isconsideredtobee.g.ifyourefusetotakeajobthatisahighlevelfailureandhowmanytimesyouhavebeensanctionedinthelast12months.
1st Failure 2nd Failure 3rd FailureHIGH 13weeks 26weeks 156weeksINTERMEDIATE 4weeks 13weeks 13weeksLOW 4weeks 13weeks 13weeks
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DID YOU KNOW!
Around 60% of people who have their Employment & Support Allowance sanctioned have a mental health condition or learning difficulty.
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HIGH LEVEL
SANCTIONS
* yourefusetotake,orapplyforajob* failtotakepartinaMandatoryWorkActivity
scheme* misconductissues
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
SANCTIONS
* yourclaimisdisallowed(cancelled)* whenyoureapplyforJobSeekersAllowance
youwillhavetowaiteither4or13weeksbeforereceivingbenefitdependentwhetherthisisyourfirstfailureornot
* Ifyouarefoundtobenotactivelyseekingworkornotavailableforwork
LOW LEVEL
SANCTIONS
* youdon’tattendanappointmentwithyouradvisor
* yourefuseaplaceonatrainingprogrammeoranemployment,skills&enterprisescheme
* ifyouradvisorthinksyouhaven’tfollowedaninstructionormetthetermsofyourClaimantCommitment
Employment & Support Allowance Sanctions IfyouareintheWorkRelatedActivityGroupyoucouldbesubjecttoasanctionif:
a) Youdon’tattendorfailtotakepartinoneofyoursixwork focussedinterview;or
b) Youdon’tfollowaninstructiontocarryoutaworkrelated activity.
Ifyoureceiveasanctionyouwill lose100%ofyourpersonalallowanceandyourbenefitwillstopuntilyoumakearrangementstocomplywiththeconditionsofyourbenefitwithbetween1and4weeksadded,dependingonhowmanytimesyouhavebeensanctioned.
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What happens to my Housing Benefit and Council Tax if I’m sanctioned?
IfyouaresanctionedyourHousingBenefitandCouncilTaxReductionpaymentscouldstoptoo–thiscouldresult inrentorcounciltaxarrears inthefuture.ContactyourLocalAuthoritytosubmita‘NilIncomeClaim’whichwillensureyourrentandcounciltaxchargeismetwhileyouaresanctioned.
How can I appeal against a Sanction? BeforeyoucanappealagainstabenefitsanctionyoumustaskforaMandatoryReconsideration from the office you deal with. To find out more aboutMandatoryReconsiderationsseepage19.
IfyouaresanctionedyoushouldalwaysrequestaMandatoryReconsideration–sanctionsareoftenoverturnedatthisstage.Ifyourrequestisunsuccessfulthenyoushouldsubmitanappeal.
Can I be sanctioned if I’m homeless?IfyoureceiveJobSeekersAllowanceandarecurrentlysleepingroughorinadirectaccesshostelyoucanapplytobeexemptfromsanctionswhilstyoutrytoaddressyourhousingcrisis.ThedecisiontoallowthisistakenbyyouworkCoachanditwillonlylastforashortperiod.
Formoreinformationonthisseetheextendedbriefingat:
http://www.ghn.org.uk/welfarereformpolicybriefing
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What is a Mandatory Reconsideration? Ifyoudon’tagreewithadecisionmadebytheDepartmentforWorkandPensions(DWP)aboutyourclaim,entitlementorbenefitsanctionthenyoumustsubmitaMandatoryReconsideration.
How do I submit a Mandatory Reconsideration? YouneedtocontacttheDWPwithinonemonthofthedatethedecisionwasissued.Youcandothisbytelephoneorlettertotheofficethatissuesthedecision– it isalwaysadvisabletofollowanyphonecallupwithaletterifyoucan.
What happens when I asked for a decision to be reconsidered? When you ask for aMandatory Reconsideration someone in theDWPwillhavealookatyourcaseandthedecisionthatwasmade.ThereisnotimelimitfortheDWPtocompletethereconsideration–howeverwhentheyhavecompletedtheprocesstheywillissuealettertotellyouifyourrequestwassuccessfulornot.
What can I do if my request isn’t successful? If youdon’t get apositiveoutcomeat theMandatoryReconsiderationstageyoucanraiseanappeal.ToraiseanappealyoumustwritetoHerMajestiesCourtsandTribunalServicewithinonemonthoftheMandatoryReconsiderationletterbeingissued.
Ifyouwanttoappealitmaybehelpfultogetspecialistsupport,adviceand guidance fromaWelfareRightsOfficer, tofind someonewho canhelpinyourlocalareacontactGAINon08088011011.
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The Social Fund TheSocialFundhasbeensplitintotwoparts–theScottishWelfareFundandtheregulatedSocialFund.
What is the Scottish Welfare Fund? TheScottishWelfareFundisapotofmoneyheldbytheLocalAuthority,e.g.GlasgowCityCouncil,tohelpcitizenswhofindthemselvesincrisisorinneedofextrafinancialassistance.
Crisis GrantsCrisisGrantsareavailabletopeoplewhoareincrisisbecauseofadisasteroranemergency,e.g.youhavelostallofyourmoney,orhavehadyourbenefitsanctioned.CrisisGrantdecisionaremadewithin2workingdays.Grantscanbeprovided inanumberofways includingasabanktransferorapaypointpaymenttoyourlocalpostoffice.
Community Care GrantsCommunityCareGrantshelppeopletostayintheircurrenthomesorsetupnewhomesso that theydon’thave toaccess,or stay insomeformofcareor temporary accommodation. Applications for Community CareGrants areprocessedwithin15workingdaysandawardsareusuallygiven ingoodsorservices.
To make an application to the ScottishWelfare Fund contact Glasgow CityCouncil’sGrantTeamon01412761177orgomakeanonlineapplicationat:
https://lwa.financialassessments.co.uk/OnlineApplication/Introduction.aspx
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What is the regulated Social Fund?TheregulatedSocialFundiscontrolledbytheDepartmentforWork&Pensions(DWP)andconsistsof:
Funeral Expenses PaymentsFuneral payments are available to people on low incomes to helpwiththefuneralexpensesofaclosefamilymemberorfriend.Tofindoutmoreaboutfuneralpaymentsvisit:https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
Sure Start Maternity GrantsYoucangetaoneoffpaymentof£500tohelptowardthecostofhavingababy.Ifyouarehavingyourfirstchildandareonbenefitsyoucouldbeentitledtothispayment,tofindoutmorevisit:https://www.gov.uk/sure-start-maternity-grant
Cold Weather PaymentsColdWeather Payments are available to people on certain benefits tohelpwith the cost of fuel when the temperature goes below a certaintemperatureforafull7days,between1Novemberand31March,eachwinter.TofindoutmoreaboutColdWeatherPaymentsvisits:https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
Winter Fuel PaymentsIfyouwerebornon,orbefore5July1952youwillgetbetween£100and£300tohelpwiththecostofheatingyourhomeoverwinter.TheWinterFuelPaymentispaidautomaticallytoanyonewhoreceivesastatepension.
Tofindoutmoreaboutthesepaymentsgoto:https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
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Is there any other financial assistance available to me? Ifyouarestrugglingfinanciallyyoumaywanttoconsiderrequesting
a) Ashorttermbenefitadvance;or
b) ABudgetingLoan
What is a Short Term Benefit Advance? IfyouhavemadeanewclaimforbenefitandarestrugglingformoneywhilstthisisbeingprocessedyoucanrequestaShortTermBenefitAdvancetohelpyouthroughthisperiod.
YoucanalsoaskfortheShortTermBenefitAdvanceiftherehasbeenachangetoyourbenefitsandyouarewaitingforanew,increasedawardtobeprocessed.
ShortTermBenefitAdvancesarerecoveredfromyourbenefitsoveranagreedperiodoftime.
Please Note: It is unlikely you will be offered this service - If you want to apply for this you will have to ask your advisor and use the right title.
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What is a Budgeting Loan? A Budgeting Loan can help you pay for a range of things e.g. a rentdepositorfurnitureremovalservice.Toqualifyyouneedtobereceivingoneofthefollowingbenefitsforatleast26weeks:
• IncomerelatedJobSeekersAllowance• HousingBenefit• IncomerelatedEmployment&SupportAllowance• IncomeSupport• ChildTaxCredit• WorkingTaxCredit• UniversalCredit
Theminimumamountyoucanborrowis£100anditwillberecoveredfromyourbenefitoveranagreedperiod–butnormallywithin2years.
Please Note: It is unlikely you will be offered this service - If you want to apply for this you will have to ask your advisor and use the right title.
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DID YOU KNOW!
Only 0.7% (£1.2bn) of the UK welfare budget was lost due to fraud – around £119bn was lost due to unpaid tax (that’s enough to buy the full Real Madrid and Barcelona football teams 30 times over!)
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Disability Living Allowance
How do I apply for Disability Living Allowance?DisabilityLivingAllowance(DLA)nolongerexistsforpeopleover16yearsold.Ifyouareover16youneedtosubmitanapplicationforPersonalIndependencePayment.
How long will my Disability Living Allowance last? Your DLA award will last until you are invited to a Personal IndependencePayment(PIP)reassessment.Youmustrespondtotheassessmentinvitewithin4weeksoryourpaymentswillstop.
I have a lifetime DLA Award, will I be affected? Yes,even if youhada lifetimeawardofDLAyouwill still be reassessed forPIPandyoumust respond to theassessment invitewithin4weeksor yourpaymentswillstop.
What is a Personal Independence Payment?PersonalIndependencePayment(PIP)hasreplacedDisabilityLivingAllowanceforpeopleovertheageof16.IfyouwanttoapplyforPIPcontact0800917222andrequesta‘Howyourconditionaffectsyou’form.BeforeyoucompletetheapplicationformitmaybehelpfultospeaktoaWelfareRightsOfficerwhohasexperienceinfillingintheform.
Whenyouhavesubmittedyourformitislikelyyou’llbeinvitedtoanassessmentwhere a medical professional will ask you questions about your conditionandassesswhetherornotyouareentitledtoPIP. Beforeyoucompletetheapplication from itmaybehelpful to speak toaWelfareRightsOfficeroraNavigateVolunteerwhohasexperienceinfillingintheform.TofindoutmoreaboutNavigateseepage34.
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DLA | U
niversal Credit | Household Benefit CapIf youwould like to speak to someoneaboutmaking a PIP applicationcontacttheGAINNetworkon08088011011forfreeandindependentadviceandinformation.
Where can I get support to attend an appointment? If youwould like someone tohelp youattendanappointment contactNavigateon01414207272.
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Universal Credit
What is Universal Credit? Universal Credit is a new benefit that replaces existing benefits includingJobSeekersAllowance,Employment&SupportAllowance, IncomeSupport,WorkingTaxCredits,ChildTaxCreditsandHousingBenefitpayments.
Itwill rollout inGlasgow from June2015 -onlyyoung,unemployed, singlepeoplewillbeaffectedatthemoment–althoughUniversalCreditwillslowlyberolledouttoeveryonewhoreceivesthebenefitslistedabove.
Itwillbepaidmonthlyinarrears,toonepersoninahouseholdandyouneedtohaveabankaccounttoreceivethepayment–aPostOfficeCardAccountisn’tthesameasabankaccountandwon’tbeabletoacceptUniversalCreditpayments.
GCVShavepreparedafullbriefingonUniversalCredit,so ifyou’d likemoreinformationpleasevisit:
http://www.gcvs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Universal-Credit-Briefing-FINAL-19-June-2015.pdf
European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals In2014theDepartmentforWorkandPensionsintroducedmorerobustrulesonEEANationals;theseruleshavethepotentialtocauseanumberofdifficultiesforpeoplewhohavecometotheUKfromotherareasofEuropetofindwork.
HomelessLinkhasdevelopedanexcellentbriefingpaperwhichclearlysetsoutthechangesandgivesconcertedinformationonbenefitentitlementsforEEANationals.Thebriefingpapercanbefoundat:
http://www.homeless.org.uk/our-work/resources
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Household Benefit Cap
What is the Household Benefit Cap? TheHouseholdBenefitCapisdesignedtoensurethatnoworklessfamilyreceives more in benefits than an average working household earns.HouseholdBenefitCapshavebeensetat:
£500 per week for couples and lone parents; and
£300 per week for single people without children
TheHouseholdBenefitCaptakesintoconsiderationthemainoutofworkbenefits (JSA/IS/ESA), plus housing benefit, child tax credit and childbenefit.IfahouseholdhasincomeabovethecapthedeductionwillbemadefromtheirHousingBenefitaward.
It is important to note that any Discretionary Housing Payment award is included in the cap calculation.
Those in receipt of Working Tax Credit, Disability Living Allowance,PersonalIndependencePaymentandAttendanceAllowanceareexemptfromthecap.
DLA | U
niversal Credit | Household Benefit Cap
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Carers Allowance What is Carers Allowance? CarersAllowanceisanamountofmoneywhichisdesignedtosupportpeopleaged16+whocareforafriendorrelativelyforatleast35hourseachweek.Youdon’thavetolivewiththepersonyoucareforinordertobeeligibleforthebenefitandyoucanclaimtheallowanceevenifyouareworking.
CarersAllowanceisacomplicatedbenefitandifyoureceiveit,itcouldimpactonanyexistingbenefitsyoureceiveandonthebenefitsofthepersonyouarecaringfor.
How much is Carers Allowance?Carers Allowance is currently £62.10 per week and can be paid to you 4weeklyor13weekly–howeveryouprefer.CarersAllowancecan impactonotherbenefitsyoureceive–e.g.ifyoureceiveameanstestedbenefitsuchasJobSeekersAllowance,IncomeSupportorPensionCreditthisbenefitwillbereducedbytheamountyoureceive inCarersAllowance–howeveracarerspremiumwillbeaddedtothemeanstestedbenefitsoyoushouldstillbealittlebetteroff.
Can I work and still be entitled to Carers Allowance?TobeeligibleforCarersAllowancewhilstworkingyoumustearnnomorethan£110.00perweek(aftertax,childcarecostswhilstyouareatwork).
How can I apply for Carers Allowance?YoucanapplyforCarersAllowanceonlineat:
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim
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CARERS ALLO
WAN
CE / TAX CERDITS
Tax Credits What are Tax Credits? TherearetwotypesofTaxCredit–ChildTaxCreditandWorkingTaxCredit.
1. ChildTaxCreditsarepaidtopeoplewhohavechildrenundertheageof16(orundertheageof20andinapprovededucationortraining).Youdon’thavetoworktoreceiveChildTaxCreditsand,dependingonyourcircumstancesyoucouldreceiveanamountforeachchildthatyouhave.
2. WorkingTaxCreditsaredesignedtohelppeoplewhoareinwork,butareonlowincomes.
GCVShavecreatedanextendedbriefingpaperonTaxCreditstohelpyoufindoutwhetherornotyoumaybeentitled:
http://www.gcvs.org.uk/learning-resources/tax-credit-briefing
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Independent Advice & Information IfyouwouldliketoaccesssomeindependentadviceandinformationcontactGAINonFreephone08088011011tofindawelfarerightsproviderclosetoyou.
Ifyouneedurgentanddon’tthinkyoucanwaitforanappointmentyoumaywanttodropintoCitizen’sAdviceBureauCityCentreat88BellStreet–youmayhavetowaitawhilebutsomeonewillbeabletoseeyouandhelpyouwithyourissue.
A little extra help to solve problems….with NavigateNavigate isaproject runbyvolunteerswhoare fully trainedtohelppeopleworkthroughanyissuestheymayhavewiththeirwelfarebenefitsorhousing.Navigatevolunteerscanprovide thehelp thatsomepeopleneed toengagewith specialist services, helping them towork towards their own goals andoutcomes.
ForhelpfromNavigatedropinon:
Tuesdays1-4pmorFridays10am-1pmClydeRoom/16aTheAdelphiCentre,12CommercialRoad,GlasgowG50PQ
orcontact:
http://www.ghn.org.uk/navigate
orcall01414207272
35
ADVICE
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Local Support with housing issues, homelessness, welfare benefits, PIP/ESA assessment, appeals & More...
Clyde Room/16a The Adelphi Centre, 12 Commercial Road, Glasgow G5 0PQ
36WewanttoendhomelessnessinGlasgowandimproveoptionsforpeopleinhousingneed.GlasgowHomelessnessNetwork(‘GHN’)isacharityregisteredinScotland(SC003453)andcompanylimitedbyguarantee(SC112361).
RegisteredOffice:16a,AdelphiCentre,12CommercialRoad,GlasgowG50PQ.Director:Margaret-AnnBrünjes