Newsletter Dec 2015

 

Housing Bill

“The government’s new Housing and Planning Bill marks the start of a national crusade to transform generation rent into generation buy, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis announced today (13 October 2015). The minister said today’s publication sent a clear signal that the government would keep the country building while giving hard-working families every opportunity to unlock the door to home ownership. ”

Further information on the Housing Bill

 

Tax credit

Your tax credits could go up, down or stop if there are changes in your family or work life. You must report any changes to your circumstances to the Tax Credit Office.

You can do this either:

  • Online
  • by post or phone

Make sure you have as much information as possible about the change, eg if you’ve changed jobs you need start and end dates, names of employers and paye reference numbers. You need the old details as well as the new details

Further information on the Tax Credit Calculator

 

Benefit Cap

The total amount you can currently claim in benefits is:

  • £500 per week for single parents and couples with children
  • £350 per week for single people

The cap applies to the benefits you get as a household. This means that benefits received by you, your partner and dependent children who live with you, are all included.

Further information on the Benefit cap

 

Welfare Benefits Reforms

The Government passed several pieces of legislation under the welfare reforms: which may affect you personally. Therefore, its key to you have an understanding of what is planned and what has already occurred. Things like: housing benefits bedroom tax, universal credit, right to buy, rent caps

 

Housing Benefits and welfare reform

CAB advice

Shelter – Housing Benefit changes

Money Advice Service