Fiona Brown
Head of Transactional Services
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 Biggest change to the welfare system for over 60 years
 Welfare Reform Programme mostly affecting people of working age
 £18 billion per year by 2014-15 (£54 million for Sunderland)
 Further £10 billion by 2016 (£84 million for Sunderland)
 Changes will impact most on the sick and unemployed
 To be a transfer of responsibilities both from and to the Council
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 Housing Benefit rates reduced e.g.:
- market rent rates depressed
- weekly top up of £15 pw lost
- rate capped at the 4 bedroom rate, £60 per week worse off
- under 35 receive benefits based on bed sit rate, £43 pw lost
 Size Criteria rules to be introduced for working age tenants:
- rent only paid for the minimum size accommodation
 Benefits cap
- £500 or £350 per week
- some families left with 50p per week for rent
 Incapacity Benefit, only 20% unaffected by changes
 15 changes to Tax Credits
 DLA replaced by Personal Independent Payment (20% cut)
 Universal Credit Oct 13 - to include Free School Meals ?
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• Government’s intention to ensure that work always pays
• A single means tested benefit/income replacement benefit for working age people out of work (unemployed or sick) or those in low paid work
• To be paid direct to the claimant, including the rent element
• Claims to be made on the basis of households rather than individuals
• Both members of a couple required to claim
• Digital by default/Recipients to have an on-line account to access information and report changes
• One monthly payment direct to a bank account
• Commences October 2013

 Assumed Consent (AC)/Current model
AC achieved a major uptake of free school meals
Funds awarded to LA –distributed to schools – provide meal/pass to caterer
Parents working over 16 hours – no FSM as receive WTC
 Inclusion of FSM within Universal Credit?
- SS Advisory Committee – received submissions (Save the Children, Citizens
Advice, Children's Society etc).
- Various models – and pay via UC/Oyster style card
-Cash payments ‘risks income being spent on other things’
- FSM may be included as a passported benefit under UC
- Government still to decide who will be entitled to FSM provision
- Children's Society report ‘Fair and Square’ concerns that 120,000 families,
(with 350,000 children) may be better off taking a pay cut/reduction in working hours to keep entitlement to FSM under UC. Calls for the government to extend FSM provision to all on UC

Transferred from central Government with reduced funding
Local solutions for:
- Council Tax Support Scheme:
- ‘Transitional Relief Scheme’
- Everyone to pay something towards their bill – maximum 8.5%
- Final scheme to be agreed end Jan 2013
- Local Welfare Provision, the Council on the front line:
- DWP abolishing Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans from April 2013
- LAs to provide support for vulnerable people in emergency situations
- Significant budget shortfall
- DWP rejection rate as high as 66%
- Proposing to utilise community asset base approach to reach as many of our most vulnerable residents as possible. Food parcels, recycled and reconditioned goods and pre-paid fuel cards
- Working with Sunderland Partnership to further develop the food parcel network
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Welfare Reform Project Board
 Cross council and partnership working with VCS/DWP/NHS
 Develops intelligence and strategy and coordinates local response and actions to help mitigate impacts
Communications Campaign ‘Stay informed, plan ahead’
 Brought attention to the continuing changes to residents, landlords, businesses and other key stakeholders via media, posters, leaflets etc.
Developed the Council’s website
 Providing up to date advice and guidance, linking with other service providers that explains how benefits are changing and what organisations and residents of the City can do to help themselves
Collaborative Working
 Strengthen existing relationships e.g. with Landlords, Jobcentre Plus,
VCS and developing others e.g. with GPs rolling out help tools
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 Assist in mitigating impacts and help people to help themselves
 Join with city wide partners to ensure that all parties are better informed, with consistent co-ordinated information
 To offer signposting, self help tools, assist food parcel network
 To achieve maximum reach
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 Very challenging for the City and those most vulnerable
 Our activities are having a significant positive impact
 We understand the impact of the welfare reform changes and will continue to stay ahead of the game
 ‘Stay informed, plan ahead’
 We have a dedicated webpage at www.sunderland.gov.uk/benefit changes
 We have a helpline for advice and support 0191 520 5502
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