Benefit Cap starts this November

November marks the start of the Benefit Cap for many households in Kent

Further cuts to benefits are being rolled out through a Benefit Cap this November. For families this will mean payments are reduced from £26,000 to £20,000 and from £20,000 to £13,400 for single households with no dependent children. If you are of pensionable age, the capping will NOT affect you.

Who could be affected?

If you are of pensionable age, the capping will NOT affect
you. The Benef­it Cap can ONLY affect tenants aged between
16 to 64 who claim any of the bene­fits listed below:

  • Housing Benefit
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Employment and Support Allowance (except when in the support group)
  • Maternity Allowance
  • Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Widowed Parent's Allowance & Bereavement Allowance
  • Universal Credit (unless you have had a work
    capability assessment and are not ­fit for work)

Who could be exempt?

The cap will not apply if you, your partner or any children you are responsible for, qualify for Working Tax Credit or have been

awarded any of the following:

  • Carers Allowance
  • Guardian Allowance
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • The support component of Employment and Support Allowance
  • Industrial Injuries Benefits (and equivalent payments as part of a war disablement pension or the Armed ForcesCompensation Scheme)
  • War Widow’s or War Widower’s Pension
  • Limited capability for work related activity
    element of Universal Credit

How will I find out if I'm affected?
The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) have written to the people who will be affected by these changes telling them about the amount of Housing Benefit they will lose. Please visit: www.gov.uk/benefit-cap-calculator to calculate how the cap will affect you:

If I'm going to get my benefits capped what will this mean to me?

You must pay the amount of rent that is not covered by Housing Benefit direct to East Kent Housing. Rent is a priority debt and an

important debt to pay first. Remember: You can risk losing your home by not paying your rent.

Q. What should I do now to prepare for the changes?

You could start to make little extra rent payments so that when the Bene­fit Cap happens it isn’t such a big shock and you won’t get into rent arrears straight away. Many people in other parts of the country have found paying an extra £15 or £25 a week a few months before the change comes in has put their rent account in credit and got them used to paying the extra money needed.

You could also:

  • Find a job - If a member of the household gains employment before the cap is introduced and qualifies for Working Tax Credits you will not be affected by the cap. Please refer to the following website for Tax Credits information and hours required to work:www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/tax-credits
  • Contact our Benefits & Money Advisors for help, support and advice to assist with budgeting.

What help is available?

There is also short term help available through your Housing Benefit section at your local council. You can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to assist with paying your rent. Each application is processed individually and would normally only offer temporary assistance whilst adjusting to the cap. Please note: Housing Benefit backdates have been reduced to 1 month, which means you cannot backdate a claim any further than this.