Website URL : http://www.cherwell.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=7322

Benefit changes April 2013

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The government is making lots of changes to the benefit system next year:

Benefit cap - maximum benefit levels for households

From September 2013, there will be a maximum weekly amount for the amount of benefits that a household can receive. If the total weekly benefit amount is more than the cap level then housing benefit will be reduced.

More about benefits cap  

New size criteria for homes rented from housing associations

From April 2013, families renting housing association properties will be assessed on the number of bedrooms that they have. If they are considered to have more bedrooms in their home than they need, then their housing benefit will be reduced. 

More about size criteria  

Local housing allowance rates for 2013

From April 2013, local housing allowance rates for claimants renting in the private housing sector will be set once a year in April. For many claimants the rates for April 2013 have been frozen at the rates set in April 2012.

More about local housing allowance rates for 2013  

Replacement of council tax benefit

From April 2013, council tax benefit is being abolished. Instead each council will have to have its own local scheme for supporting council tax payers on a low income.

Find out more about count tax benefit (council tax reduction scheme) 

Replacement of social fund

From April 2013, community care grants and crisis loans administered by the Department for Work and Pensions are being abolished. Instead Oxfordshire County council will have a fund to support people who need financial help for one-off expenses or in an emergency.

More about replacement of social fund  

Replacement of disability living allowance

Disability living allowance for working age claimants is being replaced by a new benefit called personal independence payments.

Find out more about personal independent payments   

Universal credit

From October 2013, jobseekers allowance, income support, employment support allowance, working tax credit, child tax credit and housing benefit are being replaced by a new benefit called universal credit.

Find out more about universal credit    

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