ALL YOUNEED TOKNOW

June 2012Welfare changes

ALL YOUNEED TOKNOW

Working Tax Credits

and much more...

Employment andSupport Allowance

Weighing Upthe Benefits

Working Tax Credits

CHANGESto the welfare system

to all the changes to benefitscontentsUnder Occupation page 4Under occupation is where the government is reducing the amount of benefit you receive, if it thinks you are living in a council property that is bigger than you need.

Non-dependant deductions page 6A non-dependant person is someone, over the age of 18, who lives in your home with you and your family.

Working Tax Credits page 8Working Tax Credit (WTC) is for families and single people who are employed or self-employed.

Credit Union page 9Employment and Support Allowance page 12You may be able to claim ESA if you have an illness or disability that affects your ability to work.

Useful contacts page 17Benefit cap page 18The government has set a new maximum amount of benefit that working age people can claim.

Real life story page 21Out of work and out of luck until…

Social Fund page 22The Social Fund is a limited pot of money, managed by government, which is given to people on a low budget.

Universal Credit page 24Universal Credit is the government’s way of making the benefit system simpler by bringing together a number of benefits into one payment.

Real life story page 27Tenant got what was coming to her.

Your complete guide

3

For more information contact your housing office or email: FIT@yhn.org.ukwww.yhn.org.uk

Free financial health check

for all new tenants

The Financial Inclusion Team (FIT) will be contacting you to offer a free financial health check. We will provide you with advice on:

Getting the right benefits Reducing your debts and budgeting. And help with:

Setting up bank accounts, savings and credit unions Switching and saving with your utility provider Filling in forms. This service is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL. Someone from the team will be getting in touch shortly but if you have any questions you want to ask and want to speak to someone sooner, call the team on 0191 277 4502 or text 07540 122687.

44

444

BD12_1888 Financial health check poster A5 leaflet AW.indd 1 26/04/2012 15:11

3. Who is aff ected?Everybody claiming Housing Benefi t who is between 16 and pension age will be affected.

4. When will the change happen?

This change will happen in April 2013. It’s a good idea to start thinking about your options now and to get in touch if you need any help.

5. What are my options?You have several options. You can:

• Pay the difference yourself and stay where you are. You can get help with budgeting from our Advice and Support team.

• Think about moving to a property with the number of bedrooms for your family size. Ask your CommunityHousing Offi ce for moreinformation (seepage 17.)

• Take a sharer in to use your extra bedroom. You should be aware that doing so could affect the amount of Housing Benefi t you are entitled to. If you are thinking about taking a sharer in and want more information, please contact your Community Housing Offi ce and ask to speak to an Advice and Support Worker.

6. I’m still worried, who can I speak to?

Please contact your Community Housing Offi ce in the fi rst instance. You can fi nd their details on our websitewww.yhn.org.uk or see page 17.

Please remember, these are just proposed changes, and the rules on under occupation may change again so please keep checking with us.

1. What is under occupation?

nder occupation is where the

government believes you are living in a property that is bigger than you need. Because there is a shortage of family homes across the country, the government is going to reduce the amount of Housing Benefi t for people who are under occupying. The aim is to encourage people with bigger homes to move somewhere smaller, so that we can provide accommodation to families needing larger homes.

You are classed as under occupying your home if you have more bedrooms than you need. Examples of this could be:

• a single person or a couple living in a 2 bedroom property

• a couple with one child living in a 3 bedroom property

• a child under the age of 16 is expected to share with another child of the same gender

• children under 10 are expected to share with another child regardless of gender.

2. What is the change?If you are classed as under occupying the amount of Housing Benefi t you receive will be reduced.

There are two rates for the reduction:

a) If you have one extra bedroom your Housing Benefi t will reduce by 14% (about £12 per week)

b) If you have two or more extra bedrooms your Housing Benefi t will reduce by 25% (about £22 per week)

Welfare reform: Under Occupation

Under Occupation (the “Bedroom tax”)

U

54

A deduction is made for every non-dependant person living with you, unless you have two non-dependants who are in a couple, then only one deduction is made.

There are no Housing Benefi t deductions if:

• you are not on the main (income related) phase of Employment and Support Allowance

• you are on Pension Credit

And there are no deductions to Council Tax Benefi t if:

• you are on State Pension Credit, Income Support, Job Seeker’s Allowance (income based), or Employment and Support Allowance (income related)

The government is increasing the amount deducted for non-dependants for both Housing Benefi t and Council Tax Benefi t, over three years. The fi rst increase was in April 2011 and another increase took place in April 2012. The table over the page shows how much will be deducted from your benefi t from April 2012.

4. Some dependants are ignored

Sometimes a non-dependant can be ignored from a Housing Benefi t claim. Examples include (but are not limited to):

• a full-time student

• where the person claiming Housing Benefi t is also receiving the middle or high rate Disability Living Allowance Care component

• has been in hospital for over 52 weeks

• is in prison

1. What do you mean by non-dependant?

non-dependant person is

someone, over the age of 18, who lives in your home with you and your family. This could be a grown up son or daughter or elderly relatives for example.

A non-dependant person is not a partner. It is someone who is not dependant on the tenant, a joint tenant, someone who pays the tenant to live there, or a carer for the tenant.

There are some exceptions to this – please contact your local Community Housing Offi ce and speak to an Advice and Support Worker to fi nd out if you have a non-dependant person living with you.

2. What are non-dependant deductions?

This is where the amount of Housing Benefi t and/or Council Tax Benefi t you receive will reduce because you have a non-dependant person living in your home.

3. How much is the deduction?

The amount deducted from your benefi ts depends on the circumstances of the non-dependant person such as whether they claim benefi ts, whether they work more than 16 hours a week and what their gross income is (before tax and National Insurance).

Welfare reform: Non-dependant deductions

Non-dependant deductions

A

76

YHN is committed to helping people who live in the homes we manage to improve their employment prospects and gain the skills and support they need to move off benefi ts and into work.

After all, this really is the best way to minimise the impact of welfare reform. That is why we offer our customers a range of support:

• Your Homes Your Jobs - paid work-based training opportunities at YHN that last for six months.

• Apprenticeships - lasting for 12 months and available to 16-18 year olds living in YHN homes.

• Short courses - including basic computer skills, CV writing, offi ce admin and basic DIY.

• Help to look for jobs and training - one to one support to complete application forms, write a CV and prepare for interviews, and assistance to get your fi nances in order when you sign off benefi ts and start a job.

• Workshops, courses and one to one advice and support to help you turn an existing skill, interest or hobby into your own paid business.

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities or want to fi nd out more, contact Stuart Campbell, YHN’s Employability Manager, on

0191 278 8710 or email stuart.campbell@yhn.org.uk

Want to get into work?

Non-dependant income Deduction from April 2012

On State Pension Credit, Income Support, Job Seeker’s Allowance

(Income-Based), or Employment and Support Allowance (Income-Related) £11.45

On main phase Employment and Support Allowance (Income-Related) £11.45

Aged 18 or over and in paid work:

Gross weekly income £394.00 or more £73.85

Gross weekly income of between £316.00 and £393.99 £67.25

Gross weekly income of between £238.00 and £315.99 £59.05

Gross weekly income of between £183.00 and £237.99 £36.10

Gross weekly income of between £124.00 and £182.99 £26.25

Gross weekly income of less than £124.00 £11.45

Non-dependant income Deduction from April 2012

Aged 18 or over and in paid work:

Gross weekly income of £394.00 or more £9.90

Gross weekly income of between £316.00 and £393.99 £8.25

Gross weekly income of between £183.00 and £315.99 £6.55

Gross income of less than £183.00 £3.30

Others aged 18 or over £3.30

Housing Benefi t

Council Tax Benefi t

5. What can I do if I have a non-dependant person living with me?

It is your responsibility, as the tenant, to make sure the rent is paid. The non-dependant in your household should make up the shortfall in your Housing Benefi t, but it is your responsibility to make sure this happens.

8

YHN could help...

Working Tax Creditnow work 24 hours ormore per week. The 24hours can be basedon both partners in arelationship working,but one of them must be working for at least 16 hours. (Please note before April 2012 a couple only had to work 16 hours between them.)

This new 24 hour rule does not apply if:

• one member of the couple is ‘disabled’ (is entitled to the ‘disability element’ such as a sickness or disability benefi t)

• the worker is over 60

• the other partner is in hospital or prison

• if one of you is entitled to Carers Allowance

Lone parents only need to work 16 hours to qualify for Working Tax Credits.

If you have children or are responsible for children you may be able to claim Child Tax Credit. From April 2012 the amount of Child Tax Credit has increased by

£60 but the ‘baby’ element has been removed.

In all cases your income is used to decide whether you qualify and the amount of tax credits awarded.

Claims can also be backdated which means, depending on your circumstances, you can get tax credits for a certain length of time before the date of your claim. From April 2012 this time is being reduced from 3 months to 1 month. This means, for example, that if you have a baby on 1 June and do not submit your claim until 1 August, your payments will only start from 1 July.

3. How do I claim?An application form can be requested from HM Revenue and Customs by calling0345 300 3900.

You can’t make a claim online.

1. What is Working Tax Credit?

orking Tax Credit (WTC)

is for families and single people who are employed or self-employed (either on their own or in a business partnership).

It is made up of several elements including:

• Basic payment• Lone parent • Couples • Disability

There are other elements to the tax credits which you can fi nd out about by speaking to one of our Advice and Support Workers.

From April 2012, the basic ‘family’ element of WTC will not be protected, which means people will get less tax credits.

You cannot receive Working Tax Credit if you are not working.

It is administered by HM Revenue and Customs.

2. How do I qualify and what’s changed?

If you are a single person without children, you must be over 25 years old and be working for 30 hours a week or more.

If you have a disability you may also qualify if you are 16 or over and working at least 16 hours a week.

From April 2012, you will no longer be able to claim Working Tax Credits if you are aged over 50 and starting work, after being on certain benefi ts for six months. But, you may still be able to claim Working Tax Credits for another reason.

A family (an adult or couple with dependant children) must

Welfare reform: Working Tax Credit

W

1110

• Income related ESA is available if your income and savings are below a certain amount. You do not have to have paid any National Insurance contributions to get income related ESA. To claim you must have less than £16,000 in savings and if you have a partner, they must work less than 24 hours a week.

Depending on your circumstances you may be able to get both types of ESA, but you will have to be assessed to fi nd out whether you are eligible.

2. How do I claim ESA?There are a number of ways to claim:

• Online at www.direct.gov.uk(or by printing and fi lling in a paper form)

• Over the telephone(0800 055 6688)

• By textphone (0800 023 4888)

If you choose to make a claim over the telephone or by textphone, an advisor from Jobcentre Plus will help you go through the application and will fi ll in the form for you.

Calls to 0800 are free from BT landlines but you may be charged if you call from a mobile, call from abroad or if your landline is with a company other than BT.

3. What happens after I have claimed?

Once you submit your claim, you enter the assessment phase which usually lasts for 13 weeks. A Work Capability Assessment is carried out to decide whether you have an illness or disability that limits your ability to work. You may have to attend a medical. You will be paid the basic rate of ESA during this time.

1. What is Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)?

ou may be able to claim ESA if

you have an illness or disability that affects your ability to work.

Whilst you are claiming ESA you also get support so that you can go to work, if you are able to. ESA is usually paid into a bank or building society account.

The general rule is that you cannot work and claim ESA but there are some exceptions including voluntary orpermitted work.

This leafl et gives you some basic information about ESA. To fi nd out whether you might be able to claim, keep reading or contact an Advice and Support Worker at your Community Housing Offi ce and they will talk through the rules with you (see page 17).

There are two types of ESA; contribution based and income related.

• Contribution based ESA is available to people who have paid enough National Insurance contributions. Before 1 May, if you became unfi t for work before the age of 20 (or 25 in some cases) you did not need to meet the National Insurance contribution conditions. This was called “ESA in youth” but was removed from 1 May 2012 (read on for more information).

Welfare reform: Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Y

1312

After around 14 weeks, you move onto the main phase of ESA where you will be paid an extra amount on top of the basic rate. The main phase is split into two groups:

• Support group. If your illness or disability has a serious effect on your ability to work, then you won’t be expected to work, although you can do voluntary work if you want to. If you are in this group you will receive an extra “support” amount on top of your basic rate of ESA.

• Work-related activity group. In this group you must go to work-focused interviews with your personal adviser and you may have to take part in work-related activities. Your ESA may be reduced if you do not take part these activities. You will get a work-related activity amount on top of your basic rate of ESA. You do not need to attend the work-focused interviews until it has been confi rmed that you are in this group. Sometimes a partner also has to attend work focused interviews.

4. How much do I get?The amount of ESA you receive depends on a number of things such as:

• Which type of ESA you are getting

• Whether you are in the assessment phase (the fi rst 13 weeks) or the main phase

• What group of the main phase you are in

• Whether you are aged over 25

• Whether you live with a partner

• Whether you are appealing an ESA decision.

Welfare reform: Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

“Which type

of ESA are you getting?”

1514

5. What happens if I am refused ESA?

You can appeal to an independent tribunal. You should do this within one month of receiving your decision letter. You should also get independent advice. See ‘more information’ for links to other websites.

6. So what’s changing?From 1 May 2012 three key changes are taking place.

1. Payment of contribution based ESA is being limited to 365 days.

This includes any time you were already receiving ESA before this change. For example, if you had already received contribution based ESA for 9 months on 1 May; you will only receive it for another 3 months. However, time in the support group is ignored, and there may be certain reasons why you can stay on, or return to, contribution based ESA.

2. ESA in youth will no longer be available.

This means that if you are aged between 16 and 20 (or under 25 if in education or training at least 3 months

immediately before turning 20) you will not be able to claim for contribution-based ESA without paying National Insurance contributions. All new claims will need to meet the usual conditions.

3. People on incapacity benefi ts are being reassessed under ESA.

This change is already happening and will continue until 2014.

Since October 2010 anyone receiving Incapacity Benefi t, Income Support (on the grounds of illness or disability) or Severe Disablement Allowance is being assessed for ESA (and those benefi ts are being phased out). If you were receiving more on incapacity benefi ts than you would on ESA, you will get a top up payment to make up the difference. If you were receiving less on incapacity benefi ts than you would on ESA your benefi t will be increased to match the rate of ESA. The reassessment will continue until 2014 when everybody should have been assessed and if necessary, moved onto ESA.

7. What do I do now?If you already get ESA someone from Jobcentre Plus will be in touch with you to explain the changes and what your options are. If you would like to speak to someone in the meantime, contact an Advice and Support Worker at your local housing office.

If you are not already claiming ESA but want to know if you would be eligible, contact an Advice and Support Worker who will be able to go through your options with you.

Visit www.yhn.org.uk or see page 17 for Community Housing Office contact details.

8. More informationThere are two websites which explain ESA in more detail:

• Newcastle City Council website: www.newcastle.gov.uk/welfarerights

• The Government website: www.direct.gov.uk

“If you would like to speak to someone in the meantime, contact an Advice and Support Worker at your local housing office.”

“This change

is already

happening and

will continue

until 2014.”

16

Useful contacts

Community Housing Offices Citizens Advice Bureau:

0844 499 4717

Community Care Alarm Service (CCAS): 0191 278 8699

Financial Inclusion Team: 0191 277 4502

Moneywise Credit Union: 0191 276 7963

Newcastle City Council Welfare Rights: 0191 277 2627

NFS: 0191 278 1888

Shelter North East: 0344 515 1601

Young People’s Service: 0191 277 1190

Your Choice Homes: 0191 277 2020

Benwell and Scotswood 0191 277 1484

Blakelaw 0191 277 1000

Byker 0191 278 1555

Cruddas Park 0191 277 1066

Gosforth 0191 277 1166

Newbiggin Hall 0191 277 4360

North Kenton 0191 277 4360

Shieldfield 0191 278 1566

St Anthony’s 0191 278 1600

Walker 0191 278 8455

Westgate 0191 277 1300

West Denton 0191 277 7940

17

3. Who the cap will not apply to

The main groups of people that will be excluded from the benefi t cap are:

• Single people or couples who are of pension age (to check whether you qualify for this go to www.direct.gov.uk)

• Households where one or more members receive Working Tax Credit

• Households where at least one member receives Disability Living Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payments

• War widows and widowers

To fi nd out more about any of these benefi ts or to see if you could be excluded from the benefi t cap visitwww.direct.gov.uk

4. Which benefi t will be cut?If the cap applies to you then any extra benefi t you have above the cap will be taken from your Housing Benefi t. When you move to Universal Credit, the extra will be taken from that.

5. How much will I be left with if my benefi t gets capped?

A couple with 6 children for example will get enough benefi t for themselves and their children but they will not get any Housing Benefi t. Their rent will have to come out of the benefi t they receive. After paying their rent they may be left with about £300 a week.

Couples with fewer children will get the same benefi ts but they won’t be as far over the cap as the couple with 6 children, and so won’t have to fi nd as much to make up their rent.

The government say that the average loss of benefi t will be £83 per week.

1. What is the benefi t cap?

he benefi t cap is a limit that has been

set on the maximum amount of benefi t that some working age people can receive.

The government say they are introducing the cap to encourage people who are of working age to get back into work, where possible, by making sure that the amount they receive in benefi t is not more than the average weekly wage earned by people in work.

2. How is the cap being decided?

The cap will apply to the combined total of the main ‘out of work’ benefi ts which includes:

• Jobseeker’s Allowance• Income Support• Employment and Support

Allowance• Housing Benefi t• Child Benefi t• Child Tax Credit• Industrial Injuries Disablement

Benefi t• Carer’s Allowance

The cap will not include one-off benefi ts, such as Social Fund loans, or non-cash benefi ts like free school meals. In Work Credit and Return to Work Credit will not be included as they are there to encourage people back into work.

At the moment, it is estimated that the cap will be:

• £350 per week for single adults with no children

• £500 per week for couples and lone parents

Welfare reform: The Benefi t cap

The Benefit cap

T

“the average

loss of benefit will be £83 per week”

1918

6. When will the benefi tcap start?

The cap will be introduced in three stages:

Stage one- from April 2012, Jobcentre Plus and Local Authorities will provide support to households that are claiming ‘out-of-work’ benefi ts and will be affected by the cap in April 2013

Stage two- from April 2013 new and existing benefi t claimants will start to receive less Housing Benefi t

Stage three- from October 2013 the cap will apply to anyone making a new claim to receive Universal Credit

Anyone who has been working for at least 12 months and becomes unemployed through no fault of their own will have a 9 month delay before the cap applies to them.

7. Help and adviceIt is important that those who are affected by this rule get advice straight away.

• It may be that you are exempt or there may be other benefi ts you can claim.

• You may be able to get extra help towards your rent if you are in hardship

• Finding a job may help you avoid the cap

Welfare reform: The Benefi t cap

“for useful contacts see

page 17”

Welfare reform: The Benefi t cap 2120

hris Campbell is a Property Administrator at Anchor Trust, a not for profi t

provider of housing and care to the over 55’s. Chris started at Anchor as Admin Support but within 3 months had applied for and got a permanent job as Property Administrator. His role involves dealing with Aids and Adaptations and providing support to the Development team where he deals with multi-million pound invoices every day.

Before joining Anchor Chris worked at Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) – in a temporary position through the government’s Future Jobs Fund and then as an apprentice.

Chris said “I was really struggling to fi nd a job because of how hard the job market was and not many companies were willing to take on someone so young. Through the Future Jobs Fund I started working with YHN’s Customer Involvement team which I really enjoyed, and it got my face known around the offi ce.

“I was then successful in gaining an apprenticeship with Newcastle City Council and YHN offered to let me do this with them. Stuart Campbell, YHN’s Employability Manager, organised all my placements for me and was a great help in every aspect. He was always giving me advice and was easy to talk to if I thought something could be done differently or I had any problems.

“I did two separate placements at YHN; in the Young People’s Service and in the Investment Delivery team. Working in the Young People’s Service gave me a really good insight into how young people struggle without any help and I learned a lot. I really enjoyed working with Investment Delivery because I have always been interested in construction and it was good to meet customers who were having their property improved and see the fi nished projects.

“I learnt a lot in all the different teams. I picked up different ideas and skills from each one, and everyone was really helpful and always willing to offer guidance when I needed it. I think this experience defi nitely gave me a good advantage and was one of the reasons I got my job at Anchor.”

Out of work andout of luck until...

real life story ... real life story ... real life story ... rea real life story

C

real life story ... real life story ... real life story ... rea real life story

deciding what sort of help they can provide.

The main changes to the current Social Fund system are:

• Crisis loans for living expenses and emergencies and community care grants will be replaced by schemes run by local authorities.

• Budgeting loans will continue until Universal Credit is in place. As people move onto Universal Credit they will be able to access advance payments (which will replace budgeting loans) while they wait for their benefi t to be paid.

• Local authorities will get the £178 million funding for 2012/13 and they will choose how this money is shared out.

• Applicants won’t necessarily get cash payments but could receive goods and services instead.

1. What is the Social Fund?

he Social Fund is a limited pot of

money, managed by government, which is split into separate budgets including community care grants, crisis loans, funeral grants and cold weather payments. The money is given to people on a low budget to help them pay for emergencies such as funeral costs, costs for a new baby or one off payments for items like washing machines or furniture.

To make a claim for the Social Fund (except Crisis Loans)

• Phone: 0845 603 6967

• Textphone: 0845 608 8553

To claim a Crisis Loan

• Phone: 0800 032 7952

• Textphone: 0800 032 7958

Someone at Jobcentre Plus decides if you are eligible and how much you should receive.

2. What’s changing?From April 2013 the government is planning to stop parts of the Social Fund and local authorities will be asked to provide their own schemes to help people. The government believes that doing this will make it more local and should be linked more closely to local services.

Each authority will be able to choose what it is used for and will have the option to provide assistance ‘in kind’, such as providing white goods and furniture to people rather than offering cash. At the moment Local Authorities are still

Welfare reform: The Social Fund

The Social Fund

T

“Applicants won’t

necessarilyget cash

payments”22

You can search and apply for homes in Newcastle and North Tyneside now, properties in Gateshead and South Tyneside are coming soon.

You only need to register once and all suitable and available homes will be there for you to view and apply for.

For more information contact one of the following:

A new way of applying and searching for homes throughout the region.

• The Gateshead Housing Companye-mail tyneandwearhomes@gatesheadhousing.co.uk

• North Tyneside Homese-mail tyneandwearhomes@northtyneside.gov.uk

• South Tyneside Homese-mail tyneandwearhomes@southtynesidehomes.org.uk

• Your Homes Newcastlee-mail: tyneandwearhomes@yhn.org.uk

• Working Tax Credit • Child Tax Credit

Benefi ts that will not be included in Universal Credit:

• Attendance Allowance • Bereavement Benefi ts • Disability Living Allowance

(see right)• Carer’s Allowance • Child Benefi t • Contributory Employment and

Support Allowance • Contributory Jobseeker’s

Allowance • Council Tax Benefi t (or, from

2013, its local replacement)• Industrial Injuries Disablement

Benefi t • Maternity Allowance • Pension Credit • State Retirement Pension• Statutory Adoption Pay• Statutory Maternity Pay • Statutory Sick Pay • War Pensions

From April 2013 Disability Living Allowance will be replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for those aged between 16 and 65. If you are already receiving Disability

Living Allowance you will not automatically be transferred to PIP. Whether you are entitled to PIP is based on the help you may need because of your disability. You can receive PIP whether you are in or out of work, you can spend the money as you choose and it is tax free.

3. Universal Credit will be capped

Government wants to cap or limit the amount of total benefi t for a single person or couple so that it is in line with the average wage. This is currently £500 a week for a couple and £350 a week for a single person. See pages 18-20 for more information.

4. How will Universal Credit be paid?

The government wants Universal Credit to be paid monthly in arrears, as this is how the majority of people are paid wages. This is to help people get into the habit of receiving monthly payments and make the move into work easier.

1. What is Universal Credit?

niversal Credit is the government’s

way of making the benefi t system simpler by bringing together a number of benefi ts into one payment, for working age people.

Although the benefi ts are being brought together into one payment, the various reasons for getting benefi t will still apply.

The government hopes that Universal Credit will:

• Encourage people to work• Reduce poverty amongst

people in work• Make the system easier to

understand• Cut back on fraud and error

2. What will be included in Universal Credit and what will not?

Payments will be made up of a basic personal amount (similar to the current Jobseeker’s Allowance) and top ups will be available for disability, caring responsibilities, housing costs and children.

It is intended that the amount of Universal Credit will reduce in line with the amount of money you earn.

Existing benefi ts that will be replaced by Universal Credit are:

• Income Support • Income Related Jobseeker’s

Allowance • Income Related Employment

Support Allowance • Housing Benefi t

Welfare reform: Universal Credit

Universal Credit

U

“Make the system easier to

understand”

2524

ne Your Homes Newcastle tenant recently benefi tted from

the help of their new Financial Inclusion Team (FIT) team and has increased her weekly income by applying for benefi ts and discounts she didn’t know she was entitled to.

Single mum Gemma* had just moved into a YHN property and received a text from FIT inviting her to get in touch. Gemma called the team who asked her questions about her situation and what benefi ts she was already claiming. After speaking to Gemma the FIT realised that not only could she claim extra benefi ts that she was entitled to, but that she could also get her home insulated to help bring down her heating costs, that she could save around £58 a year by switching her energy supplier and that she was also eligible for the £125 a year Warm Homes discount!

The team also found out that Gemma was on the wrong rate of Income Support. This has now been put right so not only is Gemma receiving more each week, she is also going to get £472 of back dated benefit.

Gemma said “I’m so glad I called the team when I got their text. Being a single mum means I have to watch every penny but I had no idea I wasn’t getting the right benefi t. The team have been great, they were so helpful and told me about all sorts of discounts I could claim. They extra money will defi nitely make life a bit easier.

“I would tell every new tenant to get in touch if they think they could get a bit more help - just that one text has made all the difference.”

If you want to contact the Financial Inclusion Team see page 2 for details.

Tenant Got whatwas coming to her...

real life story ... real life story ... real life story ... real life story

O

The government have also said that Universal Credit will be paid directly to you, the claimant and it will be your responsibility to budget and prioritise your bills. This will include the housing element and it will be up to you to pay your rent when you receive your Universal Credit each month. Please remember that non-payment of rent can lead to eviction.

You will be expected to access and manage your benefi t online, a bit like online banking. But if you are classed as vulnerable this will not apply to you.

And, if you are classed as vulnerable you can have your Housing Benefi t paid directly to your landlord.

The removal of the Severe Disability Premium, which helps young people care for disabled parents, may also mean a reduction in benefi t for some families of around £3,500 a year.

5. When are the changes happening?

The move from the current benefi t system to Universal Credit will start in October 2013 and will happen in three stages. This means that some people may be getting Universal Credit whilst some may be getting the ‘old’ benefi ts until everyone is transferred.

your landlord.

A new claim for Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment

and Support Allowance, Housing Benefi t, Working

Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit will be treated as a

claim for Universal Credit.

And, anyone already receiving these benefi ts will

be moved to Universal Credit when they re-apply or

update their details because their circumstances have

changed.

Anyone already claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance,

Employment and Support Allowance, Housing

Benefi t, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit as

separate benefi ts will be moved to Universal Credit.

No new claims for tax credits will be accepted.

Anyone else claiming Housing Benefi t who hasn’t

already been moved to Universal Credit. By the end

of 2017 everyone should have been moved

to Universal Credit.

Stage one:

October 2013 toApril 2014

Stage two:

April 2014 toDecember 2015

Stage three:

December 2015 to December 2017

Welfare reform: Universal Credit 2726 *not her real name.

ChineseSimplifi ed

Rent 这是有关您的租金账户的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191 278 8633 索取。

Repairs 这是有关要求维修您的住房的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191 278 8633 索取。

Right to Buy 这是有关租客有权购买他们的市政房屋的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致

电 0191 278 8633 索取。 Tenancy 这是有关您作为纽卡斯尔市政租客所需要承担的责任的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语

言版本，请致电 0191 278 8633 索取。 YCH 这是有关我们的出租服务的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191 278

8633 索取。 YHN general / Homes + People

这是有关代表纽卡斯尔市政府（Newcastle City Council）负责管理市政房屋的 Your Homes Newcastle（您的纽卡斯尔住房）组织的信息，内容解释了我们是如何运作。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其

它语言版本，请致电 0191 278 8633 索取。

普通话／国语

ChineseTraditional

這是關於 Your Homes NewcastleYour Homes Newcastle（您的紐卡素住房）機構的信息，內容解釋了我們代表紐卡素市政府（您的紐卡素住房）機構的信息，內容解釋了我們代表紐卡素市政府

（Newcastle City CouncilNewcastle City Council）負責管理市政房屋以及如何運作。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它）負責管理市政房屋以及如何運作。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它

語言版本，請致電 0191 278 86330191 278 8633 索取。

廣東話／粵語

Bengali

GB Z_¨ nj BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj mg‡Ü| Ges Avgiv wKfv‡e `vwqZ¡ cvjb KiwQ †m mg‡Ü| BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj, wbDK¨vmj wmwU KvDw݇ji c‡¶ KvDw݇ji Ni evox e¨e¯’vcbvi `vwqZ¡cÖvß| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb cbvi `vwqZ¡cÖvß| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb cbvi `vwqZ¡cÖvß| GB Z_¨ hwfvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

Farsi

اطالعات نیوکاسلهاىخانه«درباره سازماناين در آن استو»شما سازمان. عملكرد سوىاين ،نيوكشهردارىاز نيوكاسلنيوكاسلتلفن شماره با زبانهاى ديگر فارسى يا زبان به اطالعات اين به نياز صورت دارد. در عهده به خانههاى دولتى را اداره مسئوليت

بگيريد. ٠١٩١٢٧٨٨۶٣٣ تماس

FrançaisFrench

téléphoner au 0191 278 8633 pour obtenir une traduction écrite.

Newcastle Furniture service

Ces informations concernent le service « mobilier » de Your Homes Newcastle, qui fournit du mobilier aux locataires pour les aider à s’installer dans leur logement. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Rent Ces informations concernent votre loyer. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Repairs Ces informations concernent les demandes de travaux pour votre logement. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Right to Buy Ces informations concernent les droits des locataires relatifs à l’acquisition de leur logement social. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Tenancy Ces informations concernent vos responsabilités en tant que locataire de la municipalité de Newcastle. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

YCH Ces informations concernent notre service de location. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

YHN general / Homes + People

Ces informations concernent Your Homes Newcastle : qui est chargé de gérer les logements sociaux au nom de la municipalité de Newcastle et comment nous procédons. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Kurdish

RepairsóäbmóØòìíäb‚@ñòìó䆋ÙØbš@üi@ðîŒaí‚a†@ðmóïäüš@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@NîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷@ói@óäb

@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ0191 278 8633ç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@N

Right to Buy òŠb’@ñaŠü’@ðäbØòìíäb‚@î‹Ø@üi@çbåï“å–‹Ø@Àbà@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@N@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷

@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói0191 278 8633ç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@N

Tenancyóîa‡Ý—bØüïä@óÜ@Šb’@ñaŠü’@ðÙ—åï“å–‹Ø@íØòì@òí—÷@ðäbØóïmóîb‹qŠói@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@N@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷

@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷0191 278 8633q@ç‹i@ñ‡äòí—N

YCHóîóá—÷@ð–‹Ø@ðäbØómóà‚@ ói@pòŠbió@ óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ ãó÷@ N@Šóè@ bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ@ ói@ óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@ óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷

@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ0191 278 8633ç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@N

YHN general / Homes + People

@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷Your Homes Newcastle@òìóÝ—bØüïä@ñŠb’@ñaŠü’@çóîý@óÜ@óØ@óîóØó䆋؊bØ@ðmóïäüš@ì@

pbÙi@ðmóîaŠóiòí–Šói@Šb’@ñaŠü’@ðäbØòìíäb‚@óØ@òìaŠ‡—q@ñòìó÷@ðØŠó÷@N@ðäbàŒ@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷

@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ0191 278 8633i@ñ‡äòí—q@ç‹N

PortuguêsPortuguese

<português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Rent Esta informação refere-se à sua renda. Se precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra

língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Repairs Esta informação refere-se ao pedido de reparações em sua casa. Se precisar desta informação em

<português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Right to Buy Esta informação refere-se ao direito que os inquilinos têm de comprar a sua habitação social. Se

precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Tenancy Esta informação refere-se às suas responsabilidades como inquilino social em Newcastle. Se

precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. YCH Esta informação refere-se ao serviço de arrendamento. Se precisar desta informação em

<português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. YHN general / Homes + People

Esta informação refere-se à Your Homes Newcastle, a organização responsável pela gestão da habitação social em nome do Município de Newcastle, e a nossa situação actual. Se precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633.

EspañolSpanish

idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Repairs Ésta es información sobre cómo pedir que se realicen reparaciones en su casa. Si necesita esta

información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Right to Buy Ésta es información sobre los derechos de los inquilinos a comprar su vivienda municipal. Si necesita

esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Tenancy Ésta es información sobre sus responsabilidades como inquilino municipal de Newcastle. Si necesita

esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. YCH Ésta es información sobre nuestro servicio de adjudicación. Si necesita esta información en español

o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. YHN general / Homes + People

Ésta es información sobre Your Homes de Newcastle, que es la responsable de gestionar las viviendas municipales en nombre del Ayuntamiento de Newcastle, y sobre nuestra manera de hacerlo. Si necesita esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633.

Russian

This information is about Your Homes Newcastle’s Advice and Support Team, which aims to prevent homelessness and help people sustain their tenancies. If you need this in your language or a different language phone 0191 278 8633. This information is also available in easy read, large print, Braille and audio tape. We can also arrange for you to see a British Sign Language interpreter.

Weighing Upthe Benefits

Your Homes Newcastle Limited. Registered in England and Wales.Registration number 5076256. Registered offi ce: Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8PR. A company controlled by Newcastle City Council.