Welfare Reform

In 2012 the welfare system underwent its biggest change in 60 years.

The new Welfare Reform Act introduced a wide range of reforms that make the benefits and tax credits systems fairer by:

  • creating the right incentives to get more people into work by ensuring work always pays
  • protecting the most vulnerable in our society
  • delivering fairness to those claiming benefit and to the taxpayer
  • simplifying the benefits system

Changes to the system:

Under Occupied Accommodation - affects tenants of Council houses and Housing Associations.
Council Tax Reduction - replaces Council Tax Benefit.
Scottish Welfare Fund - replaces the discretionary Social Fund provided by Job Centre plus.
Personal Independence Payment - replaces Disability Living Allowance for people aged 16 to 64.
Benefit Cap - a limit on the total amount of benefit that most people aged 16 to 64 can get.
Universal Credit - a new benefit that will replace 6 existing benefits, including Housing Benefit, with a monthly payment if you are out of work or on a low income. 
Effective from April 11 - affected tenants in the private rented sector
Effective from January 12 - affected single claimants aged under 35 years old in the private rented sector

Support and Assistance

The Welfare MAP provides details of services that can provide support and assistance with money, debts, housing, employment and specialist services.

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