WELCOME

AGENDAActions arising from January’s meeting

Regeneration Projects in Boscombe update

The Prince’s Trust

Police Update

Martyn UnderhillPolice and Crime Commissioner for Dorset

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

• Welfare Reform Changes from 1st April 2013

Any questions?

Actions arising fromJanuary’s meeting

- John Browne, Chair

Update on Regeneration Projects in Boscombe

– Sue BicklerHead of Community Regeneration

Prince’s Trust– Marie Claire Nicholson

Team programme for 16 – 25 year olds to build confidence and self esteem

– Boscombe opportunities to start in May

Police Update- Inspector Chris Weeks

Police and Crime Commissionerfor Dorset - Martyn Underhill

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

– Sam WhitingRaising Awarenessof Outreach Centres in Boscombe

Government WelfareReform Changes- Chris Dale, Revenue and Benefits Dept- Lisa Ypes, Chief Project Officer for Welfare

The Key Elements The Key Elements of Welfare of Welfare

ReformReform

• Replacement for Council Tax Benefit• Funding cut from Government• Cost to Council of keeping current scheme

£2.2m• Pensioners and vulnerable groups protected• Cut in Council Tax eligible for support from

100% liability to 80% for everyone else (working age)

• Everyone has to pay 20%; rest means tested

Local Council Tax Reduction Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS)Scheme (LCTRS)

Hardship FundHardship Fund

• Extra help where local Council Tax Support does not meet 100% of council tax bill and still facing financial difficulties

• Available to pension and working age claimants

• From 1 April 2013

Discretionary Housing PaymentDiscretionary Housing Payment

• Only payable if someone is receiving Housing Benefit to help with Housing Costs

• Similar to Hardship Fund for Council Tax but to help with Rent costs

• Additional funding in 2013 to help with additional burden due to benefit cap, under occupancy plus other HB changes

Benefit CapBenefit Cap

• The Government intends to restrict household benefit income to £350 pw for single people & £500 pw for single parents or couples

• Households will not be capped if they receive any of the following benefits:– Working Tax Credit– Disability Living Allowance or Attendance

Allowance– Personal Independence Payments– Support component of Employment and

Support Allowance– Industrial Injuries Benefit– War Widows or War Widowers Pension

• Housing Benefit will be the only benefit initially affected by the cap

• From 1 September 2013

Social Housing Under Social Housing Under OccupationOccupation

• A Size Criteria will apply to working age, social housing sector tenants from April

• This will be based on number of bedrooms needed for the household size and structure. The Local Housing Allowance criteria applies

• Households under occupying by one bedroom will see a reduction of 14% pw

• Households under occupying by two or more bedrooms will see a reduction of 25% pw

• From 1 April 2013

Personal Independence Personal Independence PaymentsPayments

• Replaces Disability Living Allowance• Rolled out nationally for new claimants - 10 June

2013• Re-assessment of current customers – October

2013• Estimate 20% will lose PIP entitlement• Daily Living and Mobility Components• Standard & Enhanced Rates• Not means tested & non taxable• Based on impact of disability on ability to live

independently• Housing Benefit/Council Tax Reduction treat PIP

the same as DLA

Universal CreditUniversal Credit• A new benefit to replace some state benefits

including Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance, Tax Credits and Housing Benefit

• Customers will receive one payment that covers both their living and housing costs

• Most payments will be made direct to the claimant (this will include social housing tenants too)

• Comes into effect from October 2013 – date unknown for Bournemouth residents

• The aim is that all existing Housing Benefit claims will be migrated over to Universal Credit by end of 2017

The Local Welfare The Local Welfare Assistance Fund Assistance Fund

Local Welfare Assistance FundLocal Welfare Assistance Fund

• Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans, currently administered by the Department for Work and Pensions – abolished 1st April 2013

• Local Authorities have been asked to design their own Local Welfare Assistance Scheme

• Little or no guidance on types of application• DWP have issued a limited grant for the next

2 years

Local Welfare Assistance FundLocal Welfare Assistance Fund

May be able to help if you face:• exceptional financial difficulty• disaster, crisis or emergency• homelessness, or the threat of

homelessness• you can’t meet your immediate needs• a serious risk to the health and

wellbeing of you or your dependant family

The criteria for financial helpThe criteria for financial help

•You may be eligible if you have a local connection with Bournemouth (i.e. you

live in Bournemouth permanently or have a close family member that lives in

Bournemouth)

•you’re aged 16 or over

•you’re on a low income

•you don’t have savings of more than £500 or you don’t have access to any

other forms of assistance

What types of support are What types of support are there?there?

•Emergency help with food•Emergency help with light and heat•Fleeing from domestic violence

•Council Tax•Rent deposit

•Rent in advance•Leaving prison

•Returning to live in the community after being in care or in hospital

•Wanting to stay in your home rather than go into care

How do you apply?How do you apply?

•You will be able to apply from 1st April 2013 at

www.bournemouth.gov.uk/welfare

ONLINE FORM ON WWW.BOURNEMOUTH

.GOV.UK/WELFARE

Signpost to other support:

External Organisations

Council ServicesVoluntary & Community

Debt Management etc

TELEPHONE &

FACE TO FACE

APPLICATIONS

The The applicationapplication

What happens after you What happens after you apply?apply?

• Your application will be assessed for urgency and need of the situation

• We will advise you what happens next by text message, email or letter

• If your application is unsuccessful, we will advise you of other agencies who may be able to provide support

For further help and adviceFor further help and advice

• Visit our websitewww.bournemouth.gov.uk/welfare

• Drop in sessions at Kinson Hub with KarenEvery Wednesday 9.30-12.30

• Speak to the Citizens Advice BureauTelephone: 08444 111444

www.bournemouthcab.co.uk

• The Money Advice ServiceTelephone: 0300 500 5000

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

QuestionsQuestions

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