Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board

Changes to Benefits Workshop

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board

Introduction to Workshop

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Many changes to benefits

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Some benefits are changing soon – Council Tax and Housing Benefit

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Benefit

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Guests from Department of Work and Pensions, Housing Associations, Council and Brokerage Today – why benefits are changing, how they are changing, letters you will be receiving and what people should do

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Introduction to Benefit Changes – Catherine Marshall

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Why has the Government made these changes?

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When are these changes happening?

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What Changes are Happening Now

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Council Tax

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Housing Benefit Benefit

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What Changes are Going to Happen?

DLA PIP

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Disability Living Allowance Ends

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Personal Independence Payment Starts

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board When Will This Happen?

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Everyone getting Disability Living Allowance will get a letter soon

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It says things are changing, but you do not have to do anything yet.

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board When Will This Happen?

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New Claims to PIP – from June 2013

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Existing Claims to DLA from October 2013 - if you become 16, renew your claim or report a change

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Everyone else – from October 2015

UC Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What is Universal Credit?

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It will replace some benefits

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Why is this being done?

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Who will it effect?

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Benefit Cap

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board When Will This Happen?

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New Claims – from October 2013

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Existing Claims for some benefits - when things change in your life

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If you would be better off – 2014

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Everyone else – 2015 - 2017

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board How will DWP help?

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Information to people who help and support you

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Help you directly if you need it

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What do you need to do?

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Open your letters

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Ask for help from someone who can be trusted

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If something changes in your life, check if you need to do something about your benefits

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Changes to Council Tax – Jayne Carpenter

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What has happened with Council Tax in previous years

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What is going to happen this year?

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Changes to Housing Benefits – Jayne Carpenter Benefit

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What has happened with Housing Benefits in previous years

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What is going to happen this year?

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Letter about Changes to Council Tax Jayne Carpenter

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Council Tax letter from Council

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Who is getting this letter

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What does it say?

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What should you do?

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Benefit Letter about Changes to Housing Benefit Housing Associations

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Housing Benefit letter from Housing Association

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Who is getting this letter?

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What does it say?

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What should you do?

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Benefit Letter about Changes to Housing Benefit Jayne Carpenter

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Housing Benefit letter from Council

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Who is getting this letter

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What does it say?

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What should you do?

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What do you do if you get one of these letters?

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Do not ignore it

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Ask for help from someone who can be trusted

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Where can you get this help?

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Council – Jayne Carpenter

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Housing Associations – Association representatives Housing

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Bromley Mencap – Annette Elliment

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What other letters will be sent out? What they are about Benefit

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Council Tax letters from the Council – Jayne Carpenter

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Housing Benefits letter from the Council – Jayne Carpenter

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Housing Benefits letter from Housing Associations – Housing Association Reps

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What help is there for people affected by the changes?

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Council – Lusted Jayne Carpenter and Colin

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Housing Associations – Association Reps Housing

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Group Work

• What do you think about the appearance of the letter?

• Is it easy to understand what it is about?

• Can you find the information about what you need to do?

• What could be done to make the letter easier to understand?

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board Feedback

• What was good about the letters?

• What was bad about the letters?

• What could be done to make the letters easier to understand?

Bromley Learning Disability Partnership Board What can the Partnership Board and Reps do next?

Agree some actions