Welfare Reforms

Council Tax Reduction (CTR) 

For 2018/19, the Welsh Government has updated the CTR Regulations which update the 2013/14 prescribed regulations and with the same discretions available to the Council.

The Council has decided after consultation that it would adopt the National Scheme with the following discretions

• the Council should continue to allow extended payments up to a maximum of four weeks
• the Council should continue to disregard War Widow and War Disablement pensions in assessing income
• that the Council should continue to allow backdated benefit for a period of up to 26 weeks
• that the council should adopt the minimum requirements specified in the regulations when issuing notification of decisions

This will significantly improve the financial position for those vulnerable households who would have faced increases in their council tax bills, as well as those who would have had to contribute to their council tax bills for the first time.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Universal Credit

Universal Credit was rolled out in the Vale of Glamorgan from February 2016 and replaces a number of means-tested benefits for single working-age claimants. Key aspects of Universal Credit include:

• Apply Online: It is expected that most claimants will apply online
• Paid Direct Monthly in Arrears: Benefit will be paid direct to the claimant, monthly in arrears
• Single Monthly Payment: Universal Credit will be paid via a single monthly payment, a change for most recipients who will be used to working on a basis of fortnightly payments.
• Direct Payments: Most working-age claimants will receive the Housing Benefit component of Universal Credit paid as part of their monthly payment. For some people, described as ‘vulnerable’ it is accepted that direct payment is not appropriate, and there will be a mechanism within Universal Credit to facilitate the payment of the benefit directly to the landlord.
• Tougher penalties for benefit fraud: A tougher approach to benefit fraud and error by introducing a range of harsher penalties for serious offences. 

Universal Credit

Accommodation Cap

Commonly referred to as ‘bedroom tax’, from April 2013, Council and Housing Association tenants under pension age who have one or more ‘spare’ bedrooms will have their Housing Benefit reduced.

The number of bedrooms to which a household is entitled is based on the age and number of occupants. In some occasions, an additional bedroom can be awarded if certain conditions are met.

If anyone in your household requires regular overnight care from someone who does not usually live with you; if you and your partner or your children cannot share a bedroom due to disability; or if you have foster children, please contact the Benefits office:

• 01446 709244
• benefits@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Accommodation Cap

Benefit Cap

From April 2013, a limit was introduced on the total amount of benefit that working age people can receive. The limit was lowered in November 2016. The Benefit Cap is applied by reducing Housing Benefit payments.

Benefit Cap

Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments are additional payments to assist people in receipt of Housing Benefit who are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to make up the difference between their Housing Benefit award and their rental liability.

Discretionary Housing Payments 

Non Dependent Deductions

If you have an adult who is not your partner living in your home, they are expected to contribute to the running costs of the home, including any rental or Council Tax charges. This will mean there will be a reduction in the amount of housing benefit you can claim.

Non Dependant Deductions

Local Housing Allowance (LHA)

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a flat rate allowance based on the size of the household and area in which a person lives and is used to calculate the maximum amount of Housing Benefit that can be awarded for tenants in privately rented accommodation.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA)

Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments

Personal Independence Payments (PIP) have replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for working-age claimants between the ages of 16 to 64.

Customers receiving DLA are being contacted via letter from the Department for Works and Pensions to make a new claim for PIP.

Social Fund

The Social Fund has been abolished from April 2013, however the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will continue to manage short term advances and hardship payments.

Social Fund