What you need to know:
The Government has introduced new legislation that will change the amount of benefits and the way it is paid to claimants. This is all covered under whats known as the 'Welfare Reform Act 2012'. It mainly affects people of working age, however, some changes may affect those of pension age if they have a partner who is of working age. All of these changes are going to be put into practice by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
For the purpose of assessing benefits, the DWP has set the following criteria:
Pension Age: this is the qualifying age for Pension Credit, which will be 61 years and 4 months in April 2013, 61 years and 10 months in October 2013 and will rise to 65 by 2018. Calculate when you'll reach State Pension Age or Pension Credit qualifying age and see the amount you could receive for your basic state pension in todays money - visit www.gov.uk
Working Age: from 18 years up until qualifying for Pension Credit, as above.
Below is a timeline of when each change will happen - click on the links for more information on how the changes may affect someone who is receiving or will receive benefits:
April 2013 - Social Housing Size Criteria
June 2013 - Disability Living Allowance (DLA) changing from June 2013
October 2013 - Universal Credit
You can also download our quick guide to the Benefit Changes
Other changes
Council Tax Benefit replaced by Local Support Scheme:
From April 2013, Council Tax Benefit will be abolished. London Borough of Hounslow has been consulting on the type of scheme they will put into place. The change being considered is that working age claimants of Council Tax Benefit receive around 10 - 20% less than they currently do. Pension Age claimants will not be receiving any reduction their Council Tax Benefit.
You can check what you may be paying towards your council tax from April 2013, by using the Council Tax Support Scheme calculator.
For further information please visit the London Borough of Hounslow Website
If there are any issues that we have not covered in this section, please contact us as soon as possible on 0800 0856575
More helpful information
Download useful guides on every day money matters
Department of Work and Pensions Easy Read information on Universal Credit
Welfare Reform Act - document in full
Money Saving Expert.com - Information on basic bank accounts
Grants (small) for families in need
Grants to help clear utility bills if you are sick, disabled or living in poverty
For advice on housing and homelessness
