Welfare Reform

Gr33ng1ng3r

I have been led to believe, although I have not yet been able to confirm this, that there is a significant lack of 1 and 2 bedroomed social housing / housing trust properties in my area (Surrey) and there is already a long long waiting list (9+ years). I believe that the council has agreed to not apply the bedroom tax to those families who have asked to be moved to smaller properties even if they are on the list and haven't actually moved so it may be worth checking with your council and housing authorities to see what the situation is - it may save a little money in the short term for some. However, I suspect once the council realise the cost to them, this may change.

Depth_Charge

Hi

More on the Welfare Reform front

Important information from the Motability site on DLA / PIP & the Motability Scheme

Very much worth reading up on for those concerned

http://www.motability.co.uk/about-us/news-and-information/personal-independence-payment

Just my take as always

Depth_Charge

Hi

Just to add on the Motability Scheme

I have read and understand that 95% of Motability customers opt for a contract hire (lease) arrangement.

There is another possible alternative for Motability customers to buy a car through a hire purchase agreement and this is the method use by the other approx 5% from what I have read.

Potential cuts in DLA may then lead to problems for some with Hire Purchase agreements and all that can go with that.

I have had a look on the the relatively new updated Motability site with regard to Hire Purchase Agreements but as I type cant find much solid information on this aspect but an HP agreement with anything usually has the same type of implications where payment problems are concerned.

Again potential serious issues in the pipeline as a loss of vehicle and maybe a shortfall chunk to find in the worst case scenario's can have the obvious implications financially too for travel costs etc - a double edger maybe!

Again I am only coming from the very real potential financial implication side of the welfare reform 'scene'

If you read the number of claimants estimated to lose their DLA entitlement according to some then the potential issues I have mentioned regarding the Motability scheme, budgeting, managing debt are absolutely real.

Increasing numbers of people are starting to come in to ask us whats going on.

Heres the original post CAB & gov.uk links for those just looking in -

http://welfarereform.nedcab.org.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council

The Welfare reform is serious business make no mistake about it.

My take

Depth_Charge

Hi

Out of all the incoming welfare reforms the so called 'bedroom tax' seems to be the one that is currently catching the most attention of late both on the TV and local radio (however there will be plenty more to talk about as the months go by thats for sure)

A point well worth remembering is that of those social landlord tenants with current rent arrears and suspended possesion orders through the courts.

Suspended Possession Orders are usually on terms of full rent plus an amount towards actual rent arrears. In some cases there can also be an housing benefit overpayment which is usually deducted direct from ongoing housing benefit payments.

What the above basically means is that people can be already at the limit keeping to the terms of the suspended possession orders and any default would likely result in an eviction warrant being applied for.

Stick the bedroom tax into the mix where applicable then the added difference will need to be found - eg court order = full rent plus the arrears payment.

Many (including vulnerable) people are in this postion and the question is will they understand the situation.

The courts could also get very busy.

Like I say, best read up on welfare reform - the implications could be serious, dont get caught out, peoples and families homes could be at risk.

Just my views

Depth_Charge

Hi

Interesting development on the bedroom tax front of welfare reform.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21541400

Growurown

I really hope the government rethinks the bedroom tax. People with disabilities already have enough to cope with without adding a financial burden. I also think they need to change the rules regarding foster children too. There is a shortage of foster carers and they should be supported.

Depth_Charge

Growurown wrote: »

I really hope the government rethinks the bedroom tax. People with disabilities already have enough to cope with without adding a financial burden. I also think they need to change the rules regarding foster children too. There is a shortage of foster carers and they should be supported.

Hi

I agree

Well, according to the BBC article we have already got what appears to be our first 'look again' and thats before it starts.

The bedroom tax in my opinion is one part of the welfare reform that has a few holes, room for debate and challenge.

It is also one part of the welfare reform that is likely to have an immediate impact on peoples finances especially those already in debt and struggling with payment arrangements including ongoing rent arrears,

Combine the bedroom tax and the new council tax rules and there will be people and families with a fair old chunk to find.

Rent and council tax are top priority debts that can lead to real hassle and extra costs.

Other creditors may have to get in line, the trouble is they can be known to shout the loudest leading them to getting paid in front of priorities and we all know what happens then.

The payday loan people will probably help though, they are good at that, just look at those nice, friendly reassuring TV adverts. The price will be right too, think there was a quiz show some years ago called something like that, yeah, the price is right, that was it, but that was just a fantasy cut price quiz show, this is real life and real families.

My take

angelaf_3

Re the BBC article I thought the bedroom tax applied to private rentals too. Not that I want anyone to suffer from it.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

shocking, shocking some very good people and very good posts.xx

Growurown

angelaf wrote: »

Re the BBC article I thought the bedroom tax applied to private rentals too. Not that I want anyone to suffer from it.

Private rental costs are already capped. Each council has a local housing allowance for private tenants. For example in my council area a childless couple are entitled to £91.15 a week for a one bedroom dwelling. If you can't find a place that costs less than the allowance then you have to make up the difference yourself.

Social housing is generally cheaper than renting privately so you can get a bigger place for the same money as a privately rented place. My local housing association has already said that they don't have enough one bed places for all their single tenants. The cost of moving is expensive too and if you are on job seekers allowance where are you going to find the money to hire a removal company?

I agree that people living in social housing too large for their needs should move out to make way for growing families but they should be helped more especially if they aren't working.