welfare reform .....responding to risk

Scott Sanders - Director of Housing

The biggest change to the

welfare system for over 60 years.....

making the benefits and tax credits systems

fairer and simpler.......

creating the right incentives to get more people into

work......

........protecting the most

vulnerable in our society

........delivering fairness to those claiming benefit

and to the taxpayer

communicationmaking sure everyone who needs to know,

knows!

data & systemsgetting an in depth

understanding efficiently

structuresgetting the most out of

our staff resources

policy & practice

changing the way we do things

partnershipscreating efficiency, sharing expertise &

experience

riskUnderstanding and

managing the scale of the problem

staff welfaresupporting through

stressful times

trainingbringing through new

skills and abilities

• 1 in 5 over 65• 39,000 households• 27% live in social rent• 70% in social rent on Housing Benefit• 1 in 6 have household member

with disability• 50% have internet• 4 areas in 10% most deprived in Wales

Torfaen

• 1868 Bron Afon & Charter households• 9 communities• Phased entry - most able first• Bank account • First Direct Payment 23 July 2012 • Extended until December 2013

• Communication with tenants – Yes!

• Communication with DWP admin – No!

• Support assessments

• Bank Accounts

• Exceptions / Alternative Payment Arrangements

Tier One factors – Highly likely / probable need for alternative payment• Drug / alcohol and / or other addiction problems e.g. gambling• Learning difficulties including problems with literacy and/or numeracy• Severe / multiple debt problems• In Temporary and / or Supported accommodation• Homeless• Domestic violence / abuse• Mental Health Condition• Currently in rent arrears / threat of eviction / repossession• Claimant is young either a 16/17 year old and / or a Care leaver• Families with multiple and complex needsTier Two factors - Less likely / possible need for alternative payment arrangements• No bank account• Third party deductions in place (e.g. for fines, utility arrears etc)• Claimant is a Refugees / asylum seeker• History of rent arrears• Previously homeless and / or in supported accommodation• Other disability (e.g. physical disability, sensory impairment etc)• Claimant has just left prison• Claimant has just left hospital• Recently bereaved• Language skills (e.g. English not spoken as the ‘first language’).• Ex Service personnel• NEETs - Not in Education, Employment or Training

Three levels of protection for RSL’s: • Decisions about whether tenants should receive

DP’s will be made in collaboration with RSL’s

• If arrears build up to the equivalent of 1 month’s rent the decision to make DP’s will be reviewed

• If arrears reach the equivalent of 2 months rent, housing payments will be switched to landlord, or managed payments

Lord Freud announcements

Chartered Institute for Housing Conference27th June 2013

Lord Freud announcements

Chartered Institute for Housing Conference27th June 2013

Accelerating the rate at which arrears are recovered

......”typically, if a claimant is not repaying other debts we would expect to recoup the rent arrears from tenants hitting the two month trigger point within six to nine months. This will help ensure that landlords’ cash flows are protected”....

£650 repaid in 9 months!

5 NOSP’s 6 switched back

Significance of non payment

8.5% rent not received V rent due

Staff workload

Increasing capacity to retain quality &

increase sustainability

Staff workload

Increasing capacity to retain quality &

increase sustainability

structuresgetting the best

outcomes

staff welfaresupporting through

stressful times

skills development

bringing through new skills and abilities

communication

making sure everyone who needs

to know, knows!

core systemsensuring fit for

purposeenhanced analytical software

Creating greater efficiency

data extraction

and analysislearning from

profiling

A couple

A person who is 16+

Two children of thesame sex

Two children under 10

A carer providing overnight care

14% for 1 bedroom

25% for 2 bedrooms

Money Management

Debt Advice

Digital Inclusion

Employment InitiativesSupport

Networks

Community Cohesion

Court ServiceJam jar accounts

Scott Sanders - Director of Housing