Important news from Harborough District Council - Welfare benefit changes
Date: Monday, February 18th 2013
Categories: Harborough
Do you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit from Harborough District Council?
As you may know, The Welfare Reform Bill became law in March 2012. Through this Bill, the government is introducing a range of reforms that will change the benefits and tax credits systems.
Below, are some of the key changes being made to welfare benefits by Harborough District Council, as a result of the Bill.
Housing Benefit
From 1st April, Housing Benefit will be reduced if a claimant of working age is considered to live in a home that has more bedrooms than they and/or their family need. The criteria for how many bedrooms a family requires is set by the Department of Work and Pensions. Under the new rules, ONE bedroom is needed for each single person (16 years+), couple, two children 10 years and under (regardless of sex) or two children up to 16 years (same sex). If a person or family has more bedrooms than needed, their Housing Benefit will be reduced by 14% if they have one extra bedroom or by 25% if they have two or more extra bedrooms.
All claimants have been advised of the changes, as have landlords, and it's thought the change will affect around 260 households in Harborough District.
Please note: Pensioners will be except from this change.
Council Tax
From 1st April, Council Tax Benefit is being replaced with a local Council Tax Support Scheme. Anyone of working age, who claims Council Tax Support, will have to contributute a minimum of 15% towards their Council Tax under this new scheme. This change is likely to affect around 1,650 people in Harborough District and you should have had an information leaflet from the Council explaining the scheme.
Please note: Pensioners and War Widows will be protected from any changes.
Other changes to Council Tax include:
The Second Adult Rebate Scheme is being stopped so there is no discount if someone has a second adult on a low income or in receipt of benefits living in their home.
Property owners will have reduced exemptions on buildings that are unoccupied or undergoing major structural repairs. These are currently known as Class A & C excemptions. If this change affects you, you should have had a letter from the Council explaining the new exemptions.
To find out more about any of the changes above please visit the Council's website or call them on 01858 828 282.
If you'd like to know more about Welfare Reform and how it may affect you, here's a useful guide from Carers UK
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