Private Landlord Forum 7 th June 2017 Housing Benefit Presentation - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Private Landlord Forum 7 th June 2017 Housing Benefit Presentation Tricia Hughes Housing Benefits Operational Manager

• Housing Benefit and other benefit changes – since April 2017 • Universal Credit Full service – November 2017

Housing Benefit and other benefit changes since April 2017 • Bedroom allowed for disabled member of a couple who can’t sleep in same room – criteria applies • Room for a carer for a child or other adult (other than claimant or partner) – criteria applies • Limit on 2 or more children for new claims or changes if HMRC restrict Tax credits (exceptions apply)

Housing Benefit changes and other benefit changes since April 2017 • Changes to main benefits – tenants may have less each week if making a new claims or reporting changes , for example : ‐ • Employment Support Allowance Work related activity component removed • Universal Credit – removal of limited capability for work component and permitted earnings reduced.

• Reduction in UC earnings taper threshold (allowed less UC if working) • Change in UC for Benefit Cap calculation (now links to minimum wage for 16+ hours and not a fixed weekly amount)

Universal Credit Full service in Wirral • Wirral “go live “ date for UC Full Service is 15th November 2017

Implications for Tenants • Many more tenants will have to claim UC • Most claimants will have no choice ; those who were previously still able to claim Job seekers Allowance Employment Support Allowance Income Support Tax Credits Housing Benefit will now have to claim UC

Differences introduced in Full service • Fully digital – no paper letters. All details ; decision letters and “tasks” will be on a personal on ‐ line account called a journal • Those with no on–line access will have to set up an e ‐ mail address and regularly access their account via a computer ; eg at a library. • No implied consent for data sharing, replaced with explicit consent eg ; tenant is with landlord and gives consent over the ‘phone

Exemptions from Universal Credit • Pensionable aged tenants • Those claiming contribution based benefits eg; Job Seekers Allowance for 6 months , Employment Support Allowance • Tenants in specialised type of accommodation eg; supported accommodation , hostels

Implications for Landlords • No access to benefit information relating to paying rent from Wirral Council • No implied consent to tenant UC information from DWP • UC 7 waiting days at start of claim • UC paid monthly in arrears , first payment often 6 weeks after claim date. • DHP still paid from Wirral Council

Implications for Landlords Some single 18 – 21 year olds won’t qualify for housing costs in UC , with some exemptions Some exemptions are : • Responsible for a child • Care leavers • Receipt of a disability benefit ( DLA care at middle or high rate and daily living component of PIP)

• Certain offenders • Temporary accommodation (LA provided) • Work search (if DWP agree expected hours of work are less than 35 per week or there is no work search imposed as a condition of UC) • Fear of domestic violence from partner , former partner or family member • No parental home to live in (deceased parent or parent lives abroad)

• It’s inappropriate to live with parents, for example : ‐ • Parents being evicted • Parents in prison or not allowed in the country • The remoteness of parental home creates a serious barrier to finding work • Overcrowding in parental home • Irretrievable breakdown with parents

• Serious risk to mental or physical health . • MANY OTHER EXCLUSIONS ALSO APPLY.

Where landlords can get information • DWP have updated their Universal Credit and rented housing guide for landlords on 3 April 2017 , available at www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/universal ‐ credit ‐ and ‐ rented ‐ housing • Landlords can apply for direct deductions from UC to pay rent arrears • Landlords can apply for direct payments – Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA)

Help for Landlords • Wirral Council are working closely with DWP locally and will be treating landlord communication as a priority • Likely there will be a bespoke Landlord Forum arranged for purely UC related matters before November 2017 • E mail updates for landlords – if not registered with Wirral Council for landlord information. New log on page due in 2 weeks at www.wirral.gov/landlords

Questions ?