This page provides information on important changes that could affect your housing benefits.
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You can apply for Universal Credit instead if you’re not eligible.
You’ll continue to get Housing Benefit after 15 May 2019. If your entitlement stops for any reason, for example your circumstances change, you cannot start getting it again until you (or your partner) are eligible under the new rules.
How could you be affected? If you are assessed under these rules as having more bedrooms than necessary for your household, you will be considered to be under-occupying that property.
As part of the Government's Welfare Reform changes the total amount of benefit that can be received is a set amount for both single people and couples. This is called the benefit cap. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age. The benefit cap was brought in to make sure that no family received more in benefits than the average working household. The benefit cap amounts for the Northumberland area are currently: £384.62 a week if you are a couple or have children £257.69 a week if you are a single person Which benefits are included in the benefit cap? Jobseeker's Allowance Employment Support Allowance (except where the support component has been awarded) Housing Benefit Child Benefit Child Tax Credit Bereavement Allowance Widowed Parents Allowance/Widow’s Pension/Widowed Mother’s Allowance Incapacity Benefit Income Support Maternity Allowance Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) Universal Credit
When you're not affected You’re not affected by the cap if you’re over State Pension age. If you’re part of a couple and one of you is under State Pension age, the cap may apply.
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