Guidance

Benefit cap: actions taken by local authorities and DWP staff

Published 1 November 2016

Several local authorities and Jobcentres have shared actions they have taken to support claimants who may be impacted by the changes to the benefit cap in November 2016.

Contact the associated local authority or Jobcentre Plus for more information on the action taken.

Face-to-face meetings with claimants

Action	Area	Contact
Claimants in Brighton and Hove that require intensive support with the benefit cap are invited to a face-to-face discussion with both the local authority and Jobcentre Plus. The approach has proven effective for those customers who would not normally use jobcentre services.	Brighton and Hove	john.francis@brighton-hove.gcsx.gov.uk
A Jobcentre Plus staff member has been based in the Dundee City Partnership building, to support the local authority deliver face-to-face meetings with claimants. This approach allows DWP and the local authority to work more closely and have daily contact. It also raises awareness to other colleagues in the local authority office.	Dundee	jacqui.kopel@dundeecity.gcsx.gov.uk
In Hull, the local authority and Jobcentre Plus have worked closely to alert potentially affected council tenants of the benefit cap changes and options available to them. Area Housing staff at the council have contacted all tenants and undertaken a series of visits. Staff have been trained by Troubled Families Employment Advisers (TFEA) to provide better support. Hull City Council have featured benefit cap articles in their newsletter, which is distributed to every household in the area.	Hull	marieanne.toutountzi@hullcc.gov.uk

Events for claimants and stakeholders

Action	Area	Contact
To help claimants in Sheffield understand what the benefit cap changes mean for them individually, and to coach them on the available options, all affected claimants are invited to meet representatives from Jobcentre Plus, the Housing Service and local job clubs at events across Sheffield. The events are held in local libraries and community meeting rooms, allowing claimants to log on to a computer and find out the specific changes for them. Jobcentre Plus staff will work individually with the claimant to explore various options and encourage them to consider available employment opportunities. Housing Service staff will discuss short term measures, such as discretionary housing payments and necessary referrals to CAB or Money Advice Service. Around 85% of those invited have attended an event.	Sheffield	To be confirmed
Close engagement between stakeholders is key for those in Portsmouth. One of the larger local housing associations has agreed to co-deliver a group information session with a Jobcentre Plus work coach. A representative from the Family Information Service and a sustainable transport advocate will also participate in the event.	Portsmouth	mark.sage@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Claimants in Leeds supported through Families First will be invited to attend group sessions in their local community, hosted by the local authority and Jobcentre Plus. These sessions will include a presentation on the benefit cap changes, the help available to move them into work and the support from the local authority for advice on housing, budgeting and household bills. A review of each family’s individual circumstance will take place before the event. After they have attended the group session, they will be offered face-to-face appointments with both teams, individually or separately. The Families First DWP project manager will keep track and record successful outcomes.	Leeds	To be confirmed
On the Isle of Wight, a multi-agency approach is being used to address childcare issues and other barriers to work. This area of the benefit cap has been a point of focus in events led by the local authority for other stakeholders on the island.	Isle of Wight	Kerrie Honey, Newport Jobcentre Plus
DWP and City of Edinburgh Council have set up an Edinburgh Benefit Cap Partnership with key partners that can offer support to vulnerable people. These include partners offering advice on finances, childcare and disability support. The Benefit Cap Partnership has held events for staff members from several of the city’s associations and agencies, to ensure that there is a high standard of provision and support available for claimants through their work coaches. It has been agreed that a series of employability events will be organised across the city for claimants.	Edinburgh	benefitcap@edinburgh.gov.uk

Benefit cap mentors

Action	Area	Contact
A specialist role titled ‘Moving on Mentor’ has been created in Brighton and Hove for staff who work alongside social services, other local authority teams and DWP to assist customers requiring intensive support.	Brighton and Hove	john.francis@brighton-hove.gcsx.gov.uk
Portsmouth City Council will assign a specific contact to claimants that need support. This person will remain their contact for any further interactions. They will also ensure that the claimant’s wider family situation and barriers are taken into account.	Portsmouth	mark.sage@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

DWP and local authorities working closely together

Action	Area	Contact
Glasgow City Council and fellow benefit cap stakeholders have recognised that a collaborative approach is critical to effectively support the customers affected by the benefit cap changes. They aim to provide a range of support and advice on matters such as housing, employment, financial inclusions and welfare rights. The support will be reviewed and adapted for changing priorities.	Glasgow	To be confirmed
Redcar and Cleveland local authority have been working in partnership with associated organisations to fully prepare Jobcentre Plus work coaches. Presentations have been delivered to Jobcentre Plus staff about the Personal Budget Support (PBS) provision and a wider range of services available to customers. The result has been an increase in the number of referrals to the PBS provision and welfare rights team.	Redcar and Cleveland	To be confirmed

Financial support

Action	Area	Contact
Data has been used in the Newcastle area to determine the affected households and therefore those that may need the most financial support with regards to the benefit cap changes. If the household are council tenants, they are offered support directly from Your Homes Newcastle. Other households are being contacted by specialists in financial issues. This initial engagement also allows the local authorities and jobcentres to assess other barriers the claimants may be facing and they are referred accordingly to the relevant specialist, such as discretionary housing payments, Troubled Families Employment Advisers and Money Matters.	Newcastle	To be confirmed

Communication products

Action	Area	Contact
Brent have developed a toolkit for staff and partners to use when supporting claimants that may be affected by the benefit cap. The toolkit is a source of information and advice including a benefit calculator and videos. Links to partners and stakeholders will continue to be added to the toolkit.	Brent	To be confirmed
Several local authorities have created letters and leaflets for those that are affected by the benefit cap changes. Designed to be accessible in both content and style, these local communication products aim to deliver a clear message about the new rules and help available to claimants. Oxford City Council and Cornwall local authority have provided examples of these products.	Throughout the UK	To be confirmed
Other local authorities have created communication plans that outline how they will raise awareness of the benefit cap changes. These plans include how to best communicate the changes to the claimants and to associated stakeholders. Cornwall have provided their communication plan as an example.	Throughout the UK	To be confirmed