The Government has already made significant change to Welfare benefits and further changes are still being made. East Sussex County Council have a Welfare benefit helpline.
From 7th November 2016 the Benefit cap amount for Wealden residents reduced to £20,000 per annum for couples and lone parents and £13,400 per annum for single customers. The Department for Work and Pension have provided a benefit cap calculator if you think this may apply to you.
Introduction of Universal credit. This will start in different areas on different dates. This replaces:
- Income Support
- Income Related Job Seekers allowance
- Income Related Employment Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit
Universal credit is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and it is a single monthly payment. The Department for work and pension will use your postcode to determine whether you can apply for universal credit in your area.
Changes to Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is ending for people who were born after 8 April 1948 and are 16 or over.
Customer can continue to get DLA until the Department for Work and Pensions writes to them to tell you when it will end and invite them to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
You can use the Personal Independence Payment checker to find out if and when you’ll be asked to claim.