Welfare Reform

March 2014 Eileen Broderick- Income Maximization Service

Objectives

• To look at Welfare Reform changes and understand the challenges residents face

Some of the first changes…………………………

• Mortgage interest cut • Child Trust Fund scrapped • Health in pregnancy grant gone • Sure Start grant- 1 st child only • Cb restricted • Tax credit reductions • Hb changes/ Local housing allowance caps • Uprating – no longer use retail price index • Reform of esa

The headline changes

• Employment &

Employment & support

support Allowance migration abolished Sanctions

ESA Migration

• Between October 2010 and spring 2014 anyone receiving incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, or income support paid on the grounds of disability will be reassessed for employment support allowance( esa)

Three possible outcomes- outcome 1

Awarded ESA

• IB/ SDA /IS claim closes.

WRAG

• Subject to work- focused interviews (WFIs) • Receive a work- related activity component-£ 28.45

Support Group

• No conditionality • Receive a support component £ 34.80

• Enhanced dis premium £15.15( inc related)

Three possible outcomes- outcome 2?

ESA Refused

• IB/ SDA /IS claim closes.

Found fit for work

• Claims job seekers allowance £71.70( 25yrs plus) • Subject to the work/programme/ claimant commitment • Sanctions

Three possible outcomes- outcome 3

Challenge the decision

• IB/ SDA /IS claim closes.

Mandatory Reconsideration

• Receive no incapacity benefit • Claim jsa

Appeal

• If MR successful-ESA paid at the assessment rate • IF MR not successful- lodge an appeal on form SSCS1 • Appeal successful - ESA backdated

Personal Independence Payment( PIP)

• Replaced new claims for disability living allowance from June 2013 • For Islington the transfer for those receiving dla is due to happen in October 2015 • By October 2017 all dla claimants will have been invited to claim PIP.

PIP

• Habitual residence test • Government want fewer people to get PIP • Need to have the health condition or disability and difficulties with activities related to daily living or mobility for a year.

• No lower rate for daily living • In Islington, dla renewals continue until transfer date.

Universal Credit

• Islington timetable is unknown • Online claims ( digital) • One household payment • Paid monthly( 5 weekly) in arrears

Questions?

IMAX

•

Advice line 0207 527- 4490 (option 4, available

9.30-4.30 Mon- Thurs)

•

Email: [email protected]