Letters explaining benefit changes going out from today

Tuesday 10 April 2018

Letters are being sent out from today, addressed to social housing tenants and people who currently receive supplementary benefit, to let them know what they will receive under the new Income Support scheme, which goes live this year.

It will be in place from 6 July, replacing the current rent rebate and supplementary benefit schemes.

The Committee for Employment and Social Security has said "the new scheme will treat everyone the same, whether they live in the private sector or social housing, including the work requirement for anyone under pension age."

Extra help will  be provided  during  April and  May  for people who have any questions or concerns after receiving their letters to ensure everyone knows what is happening before the new scheme comes in during the summer.

Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, the President of ESS will be involved in workshops and Q&A sessions to help inform benefit recipients of the changes. She said: “All social housing tenants and people who receive supplementary benefit will receive a letter in the post by the end of May 2018 setting out what benefit they are expected to get under Income Support."

Pictured: Deputy Michelle Le Clerc

She insists many households will be better off under the new scheme, adding: "Those that are worse off in cash terms may still receive medical cover and a winter fuel allowance. People will be able to call one of the helplines to discuss how their benefit has been worked out. Anyone who will be worse off by more than £10 per week will be eligible for transition arrangements.”

Under the new scheme some  people  will be able  to  claim an extra needs allowance which will be aimed at people who need extra help with things like: energy costs, clothing or laundry costs, food and diet costs as a result of illness or disability. It will treat everyone the same whether they live in the private sector or social housing, including the work requirement for anyone under pension age. 

There are a number of ways to find out how you will be affected and to get any help that is required. That extra help will  be provided  during  April and  May  including telephone helplines which will be available on Thursday evenings between 17:00 and 20:00 between 12 April and 3 May 2018.

The helpline numbers will be listed in the letters being sent out from today. Two drop-in sessions are also going to be held, at Edward T Wheadon House between 17:00 and 20:00 on Thursday 17 May and between 09:00 and 13:00 on Saturday, 19 May.

The letters are being sent out from today and the process of delivering them all is expected to take a few weeks.