Benefit cap mitigation and new social security campaign
Following the announcement, as with the mitigation of ‘bedroom tax’ anyone applying for a DHP because they are affected by the cap, should be awarded one.
Last week the Scottish Government announced increased funding to mitigate the benefit cap through Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs). Discretionary Housing Payments are administered by Local Authorities to support with housing and living costs.
Following this announcement, as with the mitigation of ‘bedroom tax’ anyone applying for a DHP because they are affected by the cap, should be awarded one. Guidance on how best to apply is outlined in this blog from colleagues at Child Poverty Action Group.
This week SFHA also joined a joint campaign from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Trussell Trust calling on the UK Government to ensure that Universal Credit levels always ensure that people can afford basic essentials. With our regular Social Security and Financial Wellbeing Survey continuing to show that tenants are struggling to afford essentials like food and fuel, we’ll continue to make those calls in our discussions with MPs.