ADVICE COLUMN


I have just had an official letter telling me my benefits might be capped. I’m really worried about how I’ll manage if they cut our money – we can only just afford the rent & other bills now. What is happening and what should I do?


From April next year, there will be a limit on how much money you can get from some benefits. This is called the Benefit Cap. The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) is writing to people who might be affected to tell them about the changes. You are only likely to be worse off than before if you’re getting Housing Benefit. This is because your Housing Benefit will be cut if you’re getting some benefits that, together with your Housing Benefit, take you over the cap.


The cap is expected to be:


£500 a week if you’re in a couple, or a single per- son, and you have dependent children


£350 a week if you’re single and don’t have children or have children who don’t live with you.


You won’t be affected at all if you qualify for one of the following:


Working Tax Credit Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance


Employment & Support Allowance, if paid with the support component Industrial Injuries Benefits War Widows or Widowers Pension.


There are also some benefits which won’t be counted when working out whether you’re over the cap. These are:


Council Tax Support, which replaces Council Tax Benefit from April 2013


2 3


Pension Credit


State Retirement Pension


One off payments, for example, SocialFund loans


Non-cash benefits, for example, free school meals.


It’s important that you find out now if you might be worse off after the cap starts next year, so you can plan how to deal with it. You can get more information on the Citizens Advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk or the government web- site www.direct.gov.uk


Alternatively you can contact your local CAB at Kingdon House, North Street, Tavistock PL19 0AN, Open Mon, Weds & Fri 10am–2pm or The Ockment Centre, North Street, Okehampton EX20 1AR Open Tues, Weds & Thurs 10-2pm.


Drop in or ring 08444 111 444 during these hours. Website: www.westdevoncab.org.uk


West Devon CAB also offers “Drop In” Outreach advice sessions at Bere Alston Surgery and The Community Centre, Princetown, every 3rd Wednesday of the month.


For further information, or to make an appointment, ring 01837 52105.


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