DEPARTMENT FOR WORK
AND PENSIONS News Release (HSE-117) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 12 January 2009
The Social
Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been asked by the Secretary
of State for Work and Pensions to consider proposals for the above
named regulations. The main change that these proposals would
introduce is for the regulations to provide for levels of Housing
Benefit (HB) to be capped at a maximum level of the five bed room
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) from April 2009. These changes would affect:
* customers who make a new claim for HB or move address in the
private rented sector from 6 April 2009; and
* existing customers in receipt of HB assessed according to LHA
rates for more than five bedrooms. These customers will continue
to receive the same amount until their cases are reviewed (usually
at the anniversary point of their claim). HB will then be assessed
according the five bedroom LHA rate, although transitional
protection will apply for up to 13 weeks at the higher rate of benefit.
Before the Committee considers and reports on these proposals, it
would like to hear from organisations and individuals who have
views, in particular on the following aspects of the proposed changes:
* HB costs to be capped at the rate for 5 bedoom accomodation;
* Equality issues, including the impact of the proposed changes
on customers with disablities and ethnic minority groups;
* The proposed provision of 13 weeks transitional protection.
Those wishing to make representations to the Committee may obtain
a copy of the Department's explanatory memorandum and a copy
of the draft regulations from the Secretary to the Committee, Gill
Saunders (0207 412 1506) or from the SSAC website: http://www.ssac.org.uk.
Representations should be sent to the Committee at New Court, 48
Carey Street, London, WC2A 2LS, or by email to
sssc@dwp.gsi.gov.uk, or via the consultation response facility on
the website, to arrive no later than 10 February 2009
Note for Editors:
The SSAC is the main UK advisory body for all social security
matters except those relating to industrial injuries, war
pensions, occupational pensions, and National Insurance
contributions. Most proposals for social security regulations have
to be submitted to the SSAC before they are made. When the
Committee reports on regulations, the report is laid before
Parliament with the regulations and a statement from the Secretary
of State responding to any recommendations the Committee has made.
New Court, 48 Carey Street, London WC2A 2LS
Tel: 020 7412
1510 Fax: 020 7412 1570
Email: ssac @dwp.gsi.gov.uk Website:
http://www.ssac.org.uk