BENEFITS
Mind the cap
If you receive benefits you may be affected by changes that came into force recently , limiting the amount you can receive . It is not too late to get help .
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‘ benefit cap ’ was introduced by the government in 2013 to limit the maximum amount that working age households can receive . This cap , and the list of benefits affected by it , was changed in November 2016 . It was also extended to include even more households from January 2017 .
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CAP ? Visit www . gov . uk or call the DWP benefits cap helpline 0345 605 7064 .
IF I AM AFFECTED WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS ? If your housing benefit is reduced by a small amount per week you may be able to : n Budget to find extra income to pay the shortfall n Negotiate a rent reduction with your landlord if you are a private tenant or move to cheaper accommodation . You may need to look in different areas where the Local Housing Allowance ( LHA ) rates are lower . This will reduce your housing benefit and hence reduce the impact of the benefit cap . To check the LHA rates you can search areas by postcode at www . gov . uk / guidance / local-housing-allowance
If the benefit cap reduces your housing benefit by a large amount per week you can consider the following options : n Call the DWP benefits cap helpline 0345 605 7064 n Work 16 hours per week or more if you are single ( including lone parents ); or work 24 hours or more per week if you are a couple . By doing so you could qualify for Working Tax Credit and receiving this can exempt you from the benefit cap .
OTHER HELP AND SUPPORT Ealing Council ’ s local welfare assistance team can assist you by advising you on jobs , your bills and applying for one-off crisis payments to help you with living expenses in the short term .
You can also find out if you might qualify to apply for a discretionary housing payment to help with your rent shortfall . Payments are made at the council ’ s discretion and each case is considered on its merits .
Contact the local welfare assistance team on localwelfareassistance @ ealing . gov . uk or , for more information about housing benefit and council tax support , go to www . ealing . gov . uk / housing
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