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A quick guide to

Welfare Benefits & Welfare ReformsVersion 2 | March 2016

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A quick guide to Welfare Benefits & Welfare Reforms

Introduction 4UniversalCredit 6HousingBenefits 10BedroomTax 14LocalHousingAllowance 16DiscretionaryHousingPayment 18JobSeekersAllowance 20EmploymentandSupportAllowance 23BenefitSanctions 28HardshipPayments 32MandatoryReconsideration 32SocialFund 34BudgetingLoans 39PIP&DLA 38HouseholdBenefitCap 40CarersAllowance 42AttendanceAllowance 43PensionCredit 46TaxCredits 47IndependentAdvice&Information 49

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• JohannaSpeirsatGCVS:01412712302,oremailjohanna.speirs@gcvs.org.uk

• ClaireFrewatGlasgowHomelessnessNetwork01414207272oremailclaire@ghn.org.uk

Introduction ThisQuickGuideisbroughttoyoubyGlasgowCouncilfortheVoluntarySector(GCVS)andGlasgowHomelessnessNetwork(GHN).

In recent years thewelfare benefit systemhas changed, or been reformed,quitesignificantlyandthesechangeslooksettocontinue.Itcanbedifficultforcitizensaffectedbythesechanges,andthestaffandvolunteerswhosupportthem,tokeepuptodatesowe’vedevelopedthisQuickGuidetohelpkeeppeopleinformed.

TheGuideisregularlyupdatedwithinformationonplannedchangesandwhattheycouldmean forpeopleaffected,we try tokeep the information in theGuidebriefandtothepoint,howeverweknowthatsometimes,somethingsneedmoreexplanation,sothroughoutyou’llfindlinkstoexternalinformationresources.

Inthislatesteditionyou’llfindanewUniversalCreditsectionatthebeginning,itcontainsinformationoneverythingfromhousingelementsandsanctionstohardshippayments.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,commentsorfeedbackonhowwecouldimprovetheGuide,orformoreinformationaboutthecontentpleasecontact:

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Glossary of Terms & AbbreviationsThroughout the guide we often refer to the benefits people mightbe inreceiptofbytheir initials.WealsousestandardtermsthattheDepartment forWorkandPensionsuse.ThisGlossary is intended tohelpyouunderstandthetermsandanyabbreviationsweuse.

Abbreviations

TermsMeans Tested –Yourentitlement to thisbenefitdependson theincomeofyouandyourpartnerifappropriate.

Contributions Based –Yourentitlementtothisbenefitdependsontheamountofnational insuranceyouhavepaidintothesystem,if/whenyoupreviouslyworked.

Employment&SupportAllowance ESAIncomeSupport ISJobSeekersAllowance JSAHousingBenefit HBLocalHousingAllowance LHADisabilityLivingAllowance DLAPersonalIndependencePayment PIPWorkCapabilityAssessment WCADiscretionaryHousingPayment DHPWorkingTaxCredit WTCUniversalCredit UC

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Universal Credit

UniversalCreditisanewbenefitthatreplacessomeexistingbenefits,includingJobseekers Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance, Income Support,WorkingTaxCreditsandHousingBenefit.

UniversalCreditwas launchedinGlasgowinJune2015forsingle jobseekersonly;itwillberolledouttoothergroupsoverthenextfewyears.

IfyoubecomepartoftheUniversalCreditbenefitsystemyouwillremainonthat systemeven if your circumstances change, e.g. if you areonUniversalCreditandgetajobandbecomeentitledtoWorkingTaxCreditsyourWorkingTaxCreditswillbepaidthroughUniversalCredit.

Universal Credit PaymentsUniversal Credit payments are paidmonthly, in arrears. You can have yourmoneypaidintoyourPostOfficeCardAccount,howeveryoumightbeaskedtoopenaHighStreetBankAccounttopreparetomoveintowork.FromJanuary2016 a number of banks havemade basic bank accounts available to helppeoplewhohavehaddifficultyopeningabankaccount inthepast.Youcanfindoutmorehere:

http://www.gcvs.org.uk/fee-free-bank-accounts-now-available

Housing CostsUnderUniversalCreditHousingBenefitbecomesthe‘HousingElement’andispaiddirectlytoyou,alongwithyoursubsistencemoney(themoneyyougettoliveon).

IfyouarereceivingUniversalCreditisitimportanttousetheHousingElementtopayyourrent.YoucanspeaktoyourlandlordorHousingAssociationtofindoutthebestandeasiestwaytomakethepayment.

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• Universal Credit & HomelessnessIf you are in homelessness accommodation you won’t receive theHousing Element of Universal Credit, it will be paid directly to yourlandlord.IfyouareinemergencyortemporaryaccommodationandarehavingdifficultieswithyourUniversalCreditandhousingcostscontactGlasgowCityCouncilBenefits&RevenueTeamon01412872000.

• Housing Costs for People in PrisonIfyouareonUniversalCreditandareimprisonedforupto6monthsyouarestillentitledtotheHousingElementofUniversalCredit.Thisistoensurethatyourhomeissecureuntilyouarereleased.TheHousingElementwillgodirectlytoyourlandlordwhilstyouareinprison.

Ifyouthinkthismayapply toyouspeaktoyour landlordorHousingAssociation.

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Universal Credit SanctionsIfyouaresanctionedwhilstonUniversalCredityouwilllosethesubsistenceelementofyourbenefit–theequivalentamountofyourJobseekersAllowanceorEmployment&SupportAllowance.YourHousingElementwon’tbeaffected.

Youcanbesanctionedforbetween1weekand3years,dependingonthelevelofsanctionandthenumberoftimesyou’vebeensanctionedintheprevious12months.

Even if you are sanctioned you must continue to meet the terms of yourClaimantCommitment, if youdon’tyoucould receiveanother sanctionandthiswillbeaddedontothecurrentonee.g.:

Even though you are sanctioned youwill continue to receive your HousingElement, it’s important that you continue to pay your housing costs, if youdon’tyouwillincurrentarrearsandyourtenancycouldbeatrisk.

IfyoureceivehelpwithyourCouncilTaxthisshouldn’tbeaffected,howeveryoumaywanttocontactyourLocalAuthoritytoletthemknowyouhavebeensanctioned.

Example

Joan is on Universal Credit and refuses to take a job she’s been offered, this is her first High Level Sanction and she loses her subsistence money for 13 weeks. Joan doesn’t attend her next appointment at the Jobcentre so receives another 4 week sanction. Joan loses the subsistence element of her Universal Credit for a total of 17 weeks.

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Appealing a Sanction ToappealasanctionyoumustsubmitaMandatoryReconsideration,tofindoutmoreaboutMandatoryReconsiderationsseepage32

Universal Credit Hardship Payments

IfyouareonUniversalCreditandreceiveasanctionyoucanapplyforahardshippayment;howeveryouhavetoshownot onlythatyouwillbe in hardship but that you have stopped spendingmoney on non-essentialitemsandalsotriedtogetmoneyfromelsewheree.g.familyandfriends.

Hardshippaymentsarecalculatedonadailyrateandappliedforashortperiodoftime,usuallyuntilyournextUniversalCreditpaymentdate.Ifyou’vebeensanctionedforlongerthanthisyouwillhavetoreapplyandagaindemonstrateyouareinhardship.

UnderUniversalCreditanyhardshippaymentyoureceiveisrecoverable–thismeansyouwillhavetopayitbackoveraperiodoftimeandtheserepaymentswillcomestraightfromyourbenefits.

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Housing BenefitRemoval of the Family PremiumFrom1 May 2016 the ‘FamilyPremium’ofHousingBenefitwill stopfornew claims.TheFamilyPremiumisanamountof£17.45perweekwhichispaidtopeoplewhohaveatleastonedependentchild.

Ifyouarealready receiving thepremiumyouwill continue todoso,howeverifyoumovetoanotherLocalAuthorityorCouncilareayou’llhavetomakeanewclaimforHousingBenefitandsowouldlosethefamilypremium.

Ifyouareexpectingababyandyourduedateis1April2016orlateryouwon’tbeentitledtothepremium.

Changes to BackdatingAtthemomentyoucansubmitaHousingBenefitclaimupto6weeksafteryou’vemovedintoyourtenancyandreceiveHousingBenefittocoverthefull6weekperiod–thisisknownas‘backdating’.

On 1 April 2016 these rules will change and the Housing Benefitbackdatingperiodwillreduceto4weeks.We’vesetoutanexampleofwhatthismightmean:

ExampleDan moved into a new tenancy 5 weeks ago, he is entitled toHousingBenefitbuthekeepsforgettingtosubmittheclaimform.

Dan’s HousingOfficer contacts him as he is now in rent arrears.TheHousingOfficerhelpsDansubmithisclaimandheisawardedHousingBenefit.Unfortunately theawardcanonlybebackdatedfor4weeks,whichleavesDanwithoneweekrentarrearsthathe’llhavetotrytopayfromhisotherincome.

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BENEFIT

What are non-dependent deductions?Non-dependentdeductionsapplytopeopleinthesocialrentedsectorwhohaveanon-dependent(someoneaged18orover)livingwiththem.TheamountofHBawardedtotheclaimantwillbereducedbasedontheemploymentstatusandincomeofthenon-dependent.

Somepeopleareexemptfromthischangeandnon-dependentdeductionsdonotapplyif:

1. ThepersoninreceiptofHB,ortheirpartner,receivesthecarecomponentofDisabilityLivingAllowance(DLA)orPersonalIndependentPayment(PIP),orreceivesAttendanceAllowance(AA).

2. Thenon-dependentisafulltimestudent,receivesatrainingallowanceorpensioncredit.

3. Thenondependantisunder25yearsoldandinreceiptofJobSeekersAllowance(JSA),IncomeSupport(IS)ortheassessmentphaseofEmploymentSupportAllowance(ESA).

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AsofApril2015the levelofweeklydeductionfromhousingbenefitwassetat:

Circumstance of Non- Dependent Deduction p/w

Agedover25andreceivingISorJSA £14.55

Agedover18andnotinpaidwork £14.55

InreceiptofmainphaseESA £14.55

Aged over 18 and in paid work

Grossincomelessthan£129.00p/w £14.55

Grossincomebetween£129.00and£188.99p/w £33.40

Grossincomebetween£189.00and£245.99p/w £45.85

Grossincomebetween£246.00and£327.99p/w £75.05

Grossincomebetween£328.00and£407.99p/w £85.45

Grossincomeofmorethan£408.00p/w £93.80

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What is happening to Under Occupancy Rules? (The Bedroom Tax )UnderOccupancyRules(TheBedroomTax)stillapplytopeopleinScotlandwholiveinsocialrentedaccommodationandareassessedashavingoneormoreextrabedrooms.Howeverthereismoneyavailabletothoseaffectedtocoveranyshortfall.

AnyonewhoisaffectedbytheserulesshouldcontacttheirLocalAuthoritytomakeanapplicationforDiscretionaryHousingPayment(DHP).

GlasgowCityCouncilDHPApplicationFormscanbedownloadedbyvisiting:

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=15006&p=0

IfyoureceivedDHPlastyearbecauseyouwereaffectedbytheBedroomTaxthispaymentwillcontinueandyoudon’tneedtoreapply.

Bedroom Tax ToolkitYoucanappealagainstthebedroomtaxdecisionifyoubelieveitisunfair;Unitehaveproducedahelpfultoolkitwhichcanbefoundhere:

http://www.unitetheunion.org/uploaded/documents/bedroomtaxtoolkit11-17295.pdf

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Bedroom Tax Exemptions

ThereareanumberofexemptionstotheBedroomTax:

a)

b)

c)

If youhave continuously claimedHousingBenefit since 1996youareexempt fromdeductions. If youfit into this categoryandhavebeenpayingtheBedroomTaxyoushouldcontactyourLocalAuthoritytorequestarefundofthismoney.

If you have a disabled child who is receiving the higher ormiddleratecarecomponentofDisabilityLivingAllowancetheyarepermittedtohavetheirownbedroom,regardlessoftheirage.AlsoifyouhavechildwhomtheLocalAuthorityissatisfiedcannotshareabedroomduetotheircondition.

Ifyouareanapprovedfostercarer,haveachildinthearmedforcesorarethetenantorpartnerofsomeonewhoneedsanovernight carer, then you are also entitled to have an extrabedroom.

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DID YOU KNOW!

£11.9 billion in benefits goes unclaimed each year.

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What is happening to Local Housing Allowance? LocalHousingAllowance (LHA) applies to those living in thePrivateRentedSector.Amaximumamounthasbeen set for LHAdependingon the sizeofaccommodationanditslocation.

AsofApril2015theweeklyLHAratesforGlasgoware:

Shared Accommodation Rate £68.28 (for those under 35 with no dependent children)

1 bedroom £92.06

2 bedroom £116.53

3 bedroom £137.31

4 bedroom £206.03

Ifyourrentisabovetheratesetouthere,orifyouliveinahomewithmorethan4bedroomsyouwillhavetomakeuptheshortfallinrentfromyourotherincome.

IfyouliveinapropertythatislargerthanyourneedsandyouarestrugglingtomakeuptheshortfallyoucouldapplyforaDiscretionaryHousingPayment(DHP).FormoreinformationonDHPpleaseseepage18.

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What is happening to the Shared Accommodation Rate? TheSharedAccommodationRateofLocalHousingAllowance(LHA)nowappliestosinglepeople,aged35andunderwithnodependentchildren.

ThisrulemeansthatLHAwillbepaidattherateforonebedroominasharedproperty(£68.28p/winGlasgowatApril2015)ratherthantherateforaselfcontainedonebedroomhome.

Shared Accommodation Rates have traditionally only applied in thePrivateRentedSectorbutunderthechangestoHousingBenefitoutlinedonpage6,willbegintoapplyintheSocialRentedSector.ThoseexemptfromtheSharedAccommodationRateare:

1. Thosewhohavelivedinhomelesshostelaccommodationfor at least three months. The three months does notneedtobecontinuous,orhavebeenspent inthesameaccommodation. The claimant has to evidence theirentitlementtothisexemption.

2. Thoseundertheageof22whohavepreviouslybeeninthecareofsocialservices.

3. PeoplereceivingmiddleorhigherrateofDisabilityLivingAllowance, or either rate of Personal IndependencePaymentDailyLivingActivitiescomponent.

4. People who are entitled to an extra bedroom as theyrequireanovernightcarer.

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What is Discretionary Housing Payment?

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) can be made to someone receivingHousingBenefitorLocalHousingAllowance.DHPcanbeusedforanumberofreasons,including,butnotlimitedto:

• ShortfallinhousingcostsduetoBedroomTaxcharges;

• Helpingsomeonewhoismovingfromtemporaryor supportedaccommodationtoapermanenttenancy;

• FundingarentdepositforthePrivateRentedSector;

• Supportingthosemovingfrombenefitstopaidwork.

More information on DHP can be found here: http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/300220/discretionary-housing-payments-guide-apr-14.pdf

IfyouliveinGlasgowandneedhelptomeetyourhousingcostsyoucanapplyforDHPat:http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/?articleid=5374

DID YOU KNOW!

For every £12.50 spent on welfare benefits ONLY £1.00 goes to people of working age.

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Job Seekers Allowance

Who can claim Job Seekers Allowance?UniversalCredithasbegun to replace JobSeekersAllowanceacross thecountry.PeoplewhoarestilleligibletoclaimJobSeekersAllowanceare:

• Couples

• LoneParents

IfyouaresinglepersonwhoislookingforworkyouwillneedtoapplyforUniversalCredit–tofindoutmoregotopage6.

How do I claim Job Seekers Allowance?TherearetwowaystoclaimJobSeekersAllowance(JSA),eitherbyphoneoronline.

Online ClaimsTheDepartment forWork andPensions (DWP) are encouragingmost people toclaimJSAonline.Ifyouareconfidentaboutusingacomputerandtheinternetyoucanmakeaclaimat:

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/jsaol/lp

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DID YOU KNOW!

Only 3% of the money spent on welfare benefits is spent on Job Seekers Allowance.

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Telephone Claims TomakeaTelephoneClaimcall 0800 055 6688.

Whenyoucalltomakeaclaimoverthephoneyouwillbeassessedbyacallhandler.Iftheythinkyoucouldmakeanonlineclaimtheywilldirectyoutotheonlineclaimform(seethelinkabove).

Ifyoudon’tfeelabletouseacomputer,ordon’thaveaccesstoone,makethiscleartothepersononthephone.Itmayhelpifyoutellthem:

• Youdon’thavequick,directaccesstoasecurecomputer

• Youdon’thaveanyonewhocansupportyouthroughtheonlineclaimprocess

• Ifthereareanyotherspecialcircumstancesthatwouldmakeitdifficultforyoue.g.readingandwriting,learningorphysicaldisabilitiesetc.

What is a Rapid Reclaim?IfyouhavereceivedJobSeekersAllowanceinthelast182days(around6months,e.g.youleftJSAtostartajobbutthejobendedafter3months),youcanmakearapidreclaim.Rapidreclaimscanbemadeonlineat:

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/jsaol/lp

What is the JSA Claimant Commitment? TheJSAClaimantCommitmentisanagreementbetweenyouandyourWorkCoachattheJobcentreaboutthethingsyouwilldotolookforwork.Itisimportantthatthethingsyouagreetodoarerealisticandachievable-ifyouagreetosomethingthatyoucan’tdothenyoucouldfaceabenefitsanction(haveyourbenefitstopped)asaresult.

To find out more about benefit sanctions see page 24. Ifyoufaceanychallenges,orbarrierstolookingforworkitisincrediblyimportantthatyoutellyourWorkCoachaboutthese.

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Can Claimant Commitments be changed? Yes–ClaimantCommitmentscanbechangedandifyourcircumstanceschangeyou should tell yourWorkCoachas soonaspossibleand request thatyourClaimantCommitmentbeupdatedtoreflectthis.

What if I’m ill and can’t look for work? Youareentitledtohave3periodsofsicknesseachyearwhileonJobseekersAllowance.Youcanhave:

• Twoshortperiodsofsickness,ofupto14daysinanyJobseekingperiodorinany12monthperiod;and

• Oneextendedperiodofsickness,ofupto13weeksinany12monthperiod.

Youneedtoletyouworkcoachknowyouareillonthefirstdayyouaresicksothatyoucanagreewhat,ifanything,youneedtodowhileyouaresick.

TofindourmoreseeourBeingIllonJobseekersAllowanceInformationSheethere:

http://www.gcvs.org.uk/learning-resources/being-ill-on-jobseekers-allowance

I’ve been ‘mandated’, what does this mean?If you have been ‘mandated’ to attend something, it means that you arerequiredtodoitorriskbeingsanctioned.Youcanonlybe‘mandated’toattendsomethingthatismandatorye.g.theWorkProgramme.There’slotsofthingsyoucannotbemandatedtodo,including:

• AttendingaJobsFair

• Volunteering

• AttendingacourseoraclubthatisnotprovidedbytheJobCentreoraWorkProgrammeProvider

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What is a Verbal Instruction? AverbalinstructionissomethingthatyourWorkCoachtellsyoutodo.Itisreallyimportantthatyouaskforallverbalinstructionstobewrittendown–tomakesurethatyouandyourworkcoachremembertheseandthatyoucan’tbesanctionedatalaterdatefornotcarryingitout.

What is the Work Programme? IfyouhavebeenreceivingJSAfor3monthsormoreyoumayhavetojointheWorkProgramme. It ismandatoryandyourbenefitdependsuponyouattendingit–ifyourefusetoattendwithoutavalidreason,orifyoudon’tkeepupyourengagementwiththeprogrammeyoucouldfaceabenefitsanction.

TheWorkProgrammecanlastupto2yearsandyoumayberequiredtoengageintraining,workexperienceorsectorbasedworkacademies.

Employment & Support Allowance

What is Employment and Support Allowance? EmploymentandSupportAllowance(ESA)replacesIncapacityBenefit,andeveryonewhoisstillreceivingIncapacityBenefitwillbemigrated(moved)overtoESA.

ESAisforpeoplewhoaretooilltoworkandhavenoothermeansofincome(e.g.sickpayfromanemployer)andhavebeengivenamedicalcertificatefromtheirDoctorwhichstatesthis.TomakeanESAclaimcall0800 055 6688.

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What is the ESA Assessment? Whenyoufirst apply for ESA youwill be subject to a 13week ‘assessmentphase’, during this time theDepartment forWork and Pensions (DWP)willdecidewhether or not you are able towork. During the assessment phaseyoumay be required to fill in a questionnaire or attend a ‘work capabilityassessment’.

At theendof13weeks theDWPwillmakeadecisionaboutyourability towork,therearethreepossibleoutcomesforyourclaim:

Fit for WorkIfyouarefound‘FitforWork’yourESAentitlementstopsandyoumustapplyforanotherbenefit,usuallyJobSeekersAllowance.Ifyoudon’tagreewiththedecisionyou should submitaMandatoryReconsideration.TofindoutmoreaboutsubmittingaMandatoryReconsiderationseepage26.

Work Related Activity If you are found to have limited capacity forwork at themoment, but areexpectedtobeabletoworkatsomepointinthefutureyouwillbeplacedintheWorkRelatedActivityGroup(WRAG).Thismeansyouwillgetanadditionalamountofmoney (premium)on topof the standardESA rate you receivedthroughout the assessment phase. When you are in the WRAG there arecertainthingsyouwillhavetodoinordertoreceiveyourbenefite.g.attendworkfocussedinterviewsortakepartinworkrelatedactivity.Ifyoudon’tdowhatyouareaskedtodobyyouradvisoryourbenefitcouldbestopped.Tofindoutmoreaboutsanctions,seepage20.

Support GroupIfyouarefoundtohaveaseverelylimitedcapacityforworkyouwillbeawardedthe Support Group premium in addition to the standard ESA rate that youreceivedthroughouttheassessmentphase. Ifyouare intheSupportGroupyouaren’trequiredtodoanythingtoreceiveyourbenefit.

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What is an ESA Reassessment? ContributionsbasedESAisn’tmeanstested–thatmeansitisn’tbasedon your household income or savings – so if you have paid enoughNationalInsuranceContributionsthroughworkyouwillbeentitledtoESAfor52weeks.

If, after a reassessment you are found ‘Fit forWork’ or are movedfrom the Support Group to the Work Related Activity Group andyou don’t agree with the decision you should submit a MandatoryReconsideration.(p32)

Can I get Contributions Based ESA?ContributionsbasedESAisn’tmeanstested(basedonyourhouseholdincome or savings) – if you have paid in enoughNational InsurancecontributionsthroughworkyouwillbeentitledtoESAfor52weeks.

IfyouareplacedintheWorkRelatedActivityGroupyouwillhavetoreapplyforESAafteroneyear,atwhichpointyourhouseholdincomeandanysavingswillbetakenintoconsideration.

IfyouareplacedintheSupportGroupyouwillbereassessedafteroneyearand,ifafterreassessment,youarestillintheSupportGroupyourESAwillcontinue.IfyouarereassessedasbeingintheWorkRelatedActivityGroupyouwillhavetoreapplyformeanstestedESA.

DID YOU KNOW!

Only 10.9% of the benefit bill is spent on out of work benefits each year!

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Employment & Support Allowance – Future ChangesCurrently, if you apply for Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)andarefoundtohavelimitedcapacityforworkyouareplacedintheWork Related Activity Group. This means that you get a premium,anadditionalamountofmoney,on topof theESAAssessmentRate,around£30.00perweek.

FromApril 2017 thiswillchange.NewapplicationsassessedasbeingintheWorkRelatedActivityGroupwillnolongerbeawardedanadditionalpremium,whichmeanstheamountofmoneytheyreceivewillbethesameasbasicJobSeekersAllowance,£73.10perweek.

Who will this affect?Thiswillonlyaffectnewclaimants,peoplewhoapplyforESAafter1 April 2017.IfyoucurrentlyreceivetheWorkRelatedActivityGrouppremiumyourincomewillbeprotected.

The change only affects peoplewho are placed in theWork RelatedActivityGroup;thereisnochangetotheSupportGrouppremium.

What should I do? If youareon JobSeekersAllowancebutexperience regular ill-healthyoumaywanttoconsiderapplyingforESAassoonaspossibletomakesure any award you get is in place beforeApril 2017, andprotectedfromthischange.

IfyouwanttoapplyforEmployment&SupportAllowance,youmusthaveamedicalcertificatefromyourDoctorstatingwhyyoucan’twork,thencontacttheDepartmentforWorkandPensionson08000556688toapplyforESAbyphone.

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What is a Benefit Sanction?

IfyougetJobseekersAllowance,Employment&SupportAllowanceorUniversalCredityoucouldbesanctionedbecauseyoudidn’tdosomethingthatwouldhavehelped youmove towardwork, e.g. attendan appointmentwith yourworkcoach,attendmandatoryworkrelatedactivityetc.

Ifyouaresanctionedyoushouldalwayschallengethedecision,lotsofsanctionsareoverturnedandthere’sahighchancethatyouwillbesuccessful.Tofindoutmoreaboutchallengingdecisionsseep34.

Job Seekers Allowance SanctionsIfyoureceiveasanctiononyourJobSeekersAllowance(JSA),allofyourbenefitwillbestopped.

Thelengthoftimethesanctionlastswilldependonhowseverethe‘failure’isconsideredtobee.g.ifyourefusetotakeajobthatisahighlevelfailureandhowmanytimesyouhavebeensanctionedinthelast12months.

1st Failure 2nd Failure 3rd FailureHIGH 13 weeks 26 weeks 156 weeksINTERMEDIATE 4 weeks 13 weeks 13 weeksLOW 4 weeks 13 weeks 13 weeks

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DID YOU KNOW!

Around 60% of people who have their Employment & Support Allowance sanctioned have a mental health condition or learning difficulty.

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HIGH LEVEL

SANCTIONS

* yourefusetotake,orapplyforajob* failtotakepartinaMandatoryWorkActivity

scheme* misconductissues

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

SANCTIONS

* yourclaimisdisallowed(cancelled)* whenyoureapplyforJobSeekersAllowance

youwillhavetowaiteither4or13weeksbeforereceivingbenefitdependentonwhetherthisisyourfirstfailureornot

* Ifyouarefoundtobenotactivelyseekingworkornotavailableforwork

LOW LEVEL

SANCTIONS

* youdon’tattendanappointmentwithyouradvisor

* yourefuseaplaceonatrainingprogrammeoranemployment,skills&enterprisescheme

* ifyouradvisorthinksyouhaven’tfollowedaninstructionormetthetermsofyourClaimantCommitment

Employment & Support Allowance Sanctions IfyouareintheWorkRelatedActivityGroupyoucouldbesubjecttoasanctionif:

a) Youdon’tattendorfailtotakepartinoneofyoursixwork focussedinterview;or

b) Youdon’tfollowaninstructiontocarryoutaworkrelated activity.

Ifyoureceiveasanctionyouwilllose100%ofyourpersonalallowanceandyourbenefitwillstopuntilyoumakearrangementstocomplywiththe conditions of your benefit with between 1 and 4 weeks added,dependingonhowmanytimesyouhavebeensanctioned.

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What happens to my Housing Benefit and Council Tax if I’m sanctioned? IfyouaresanctionedyourHousingBenefitandCouncilTaxReductionpaymentscouldstoptoo–thiscouldresult inrentorcounciltaxarrearsinthefuture.ContactyourLocalAuthoritytosubmita‘NilIncomeClaim’whichwillensureyourrentandcounciltaxchargeismetwhileyouaresanctioned.

How can I appeal against a Sanction? BeforeyoucanappealagainstabenefitsanctionyoumustaskforaMandatoryReconsideration from the office you deal with. To find out more aboutMandatoryReconsiderationsseepage32.

IfyouaresanctionedyoushouldalwaysrequestaMandatoryReconsideration–sanctionsareoftenoverturnedatthisstage.Ifyourrequestisunsuccessfulthenyoushouldsubmitanappeal.

Can I be sanctioned if I’m homeless?IfyoureceiveJobSeekersAllowanceandarecurrentlysleepingroughorareinadirectaccesshostelyoucanapplytobeexemptfromsanctionswhilstyoutrytoaddressyourhousingcrisis.ThedecisiontoallowthisistakenbyyouWorkCoachanditwillonlylastforashortperiod.

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Hardship Payments

What are Hardship Payments? IfyouhavebeensanctionedyoucanapplyforaHardshipPayment.Therearedifferent rules forhardshippaymentsundereachbenefit. If youapply for ahardshippaymentyouhavetodemonstratethatyouwillstruggle,orbeunabletomeetbasicnecessities,e.g.food,heating,accommodation,hygiene.

Jobseekers Allowance Hardship Payments YoucanapplyforaHardshipPaymentaftertwoweeksofyoursanctionperiodhaspassed;ifyouareconsideredtobevulnerableorhavedependentchildrenyoucanapplyimmediately.

Ifyouaresuccessfulthenyourhardshippaymentwillbe60%ofyournormalJobseekerAllowanceentitlement,e.g.ifyouaresingleandover25andusuallyreceiveincomebasedJobseekersAllowanceof£72.40perweekyou’dreceive£43.44perweek.

Ifyouarerefusedahardshippaymentthenyoucanchallengethedecision,findoutmoreaboutchallengingdecisionsonpage32.

Employment & Support Allowance Hardship Payments YoucanapplyforahardshippaymentifyoureceiveincomebasedESA.IfyoureceivecontributionsbasedESAthenyoucannotapply.

People on income-based ESA who are sanctioned can apply for a hardshippayment immediately. Ifyoucandemonstratethatyouare inhardshipthentheDWPmustawardyouahardshippayment.

Ifyouaresuccessfulthenyouwillreceive60%ofthenormalmainphaseESA;yourpremiume.g.WorkRelatedActivityGrouppremium,isunaffectedbythesanction.

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Almost 50% of sanctions are overturned at mandatory reconsiderations or appeal

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What is a Mandatory Reconsideration? If you don’t agreewith a decisionmade by the Department forWork andPensions (DWP)aboutyour claim,entitlementorbenefit sanction thenyoumustsubmitaMandatoryReconsideration.

How do I submit a Mandatory Reconsideration? You need to contact the DWP within one month of the date the decisionwasissued.Youcandothisbytelephoneorlettertotheofficethatissuethedecision–itisalwaysadvisabletofollowanyphonecallupwithaletterifyoucan.

What happens when I ask for a decision to be reconsidered? When you ask for aMandatory Reconsideration someone in the DWPwillhavea lookat your caseand thedecision thatwasmade.There isnotimelimitfortheDWPtocompletethereconsideration–howeverwhentheyhavecompletedtheprocesstheywill issuealettertotellyouifyourrequestwassuccessfulornot.

What can I do if my request isn’t successful? Ifyoudon’tgetapositiveoutcomeattheMandatoryReconsiderationstageyoucanraiseanappeal.ToraiseanappealyoumustwritetoHerMajestiesCourtsand Tribunal Service within one month of the Mandatory Reconsiderationletterbeingissued.

Ifyouwanttoappeal itmaybehelpfultogetspecialistsupport,adviceandguidancefromaWelfareRightsOfficer,tofindsomeonewhocanhelpinyourlocalareacontactGAINon08088011011.

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The Social Fund TheSocialFundhasbeensplitintotwoparts–theScottishWelfareFundandtheregulatedSocialFund.

What is the Scottish Welfare Fund? TheScottishWelfareFundisapotofmoneyheldbytheLocalAuthority,e.g.GlasgowCityCouncil,tohelpcitizenswhofindthemselvesincrisisorinneedofextrafinancialassistance.

Crisis GrantsCrisisGrantsareavailabletopeoplewhoareincrisisbecauseofadisasteroranemergency,e.g.youhavelostallofyourmoney,orhavehadyourbenefitsanctioned.CrisisGrantdecisionaremadewithin2workingdays.Grantscanbeprovided inanumberofways includingasabanktransferorapaypointpaymenttoyourlocalpostoffice.

Community Care GrantsCommunityCareGrantshelppeopletostayintheircurrenthomeorsetupanewhomesothattheydon’thavetostayinsomeformofcareortemporaryaccommodation.ApplicationsforCommunityCareGrantsareprocessedwithin15workingdaysandawardsareusuallygiveningoodsorservices.

To make an application to the ScottishWelfare Fund contact Glasgow CityCouncil’sGrantTeamon01412761177orgomakeanonlineapplicationat:

https://lwa.financialassessments.co.uk/OnlineApplication/Introduction.aspx

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What is the regulated Social Fund?TheregulatedSocialFundiscontrolledbytheDepartmentforWork&Pensions(DWP)andconsistsof:

Funeral Expenses PaymentsFuneralpaymentsareavailabletopeopleonlowincomestohelpwiththefuneralexpensesofaclosefamilymemberor friend.Tofindoutmoreaboutfuneralpaymentsvisit:https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

Sure Start Maternity GrantsYoucangetaoneoffpaymentof£500tohelptowardthecostofhavingababy.Ifyouarehavingyourfirstchildandareonbenefitsyoucouldbeentitledtothispayment,tofindoutmorevisit:https://www.gov.uk/sure-start-maternity-grant

Cold Weather PaymentsColdWeatherPaymentsareavailabletopeopleoncertainbenefitstohelpwiththecostoffuelwhenthetemperaturegoesbelowacertaintemperatureforafull7days,between1Novemberand31March,eachwinter.TofindoutmoreaboutColdWeatherPaymentsvisits:https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment

Winter Fuel PaymentsIfyouwerebornon,orbefore5July1952youwillgetbetween£100and£300tohelpwiththecostofheatingyourhomeoverwinter.TheWinterFuelPayment ispaidautomatically toanyonewhoreceivesastatepension.

Tofindoutmoreaboutthesepaymentsgoto:https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

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Is there any other financial assistance available to me? Ifyouarestrugglingfinanciallyyoumaywanttoconsiderrequesting

a) Ashorttermbenefitadvance;or

b) ABudgetingLoan

What is a Short Term Benefit Advance? IfyouhavemadeanewclaimforbenefitandarestrugglingformoneywhilstthisisbeingprocessedyoucanrequestaShortTermBenefitAdvancetohelpyouthroughthisperiod.

YoucanalsoaskfortheShortTermBenefitAdvanceiftherehasbeenachangetoyourbenefitsandyouarewaitingforanew,increasedawardtobeprocessed.

ShortTermBenefitAdvancesarerecoveredfromyourbenefitsoveranagreedperiodoftime.

Please Note: It is unlikely you will be offered this service - If you want to apply for this you will have to ask your advisor and use the right title.

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What is a Budgeting Loan? ABudgeting Loan canhelp youpay for a rangeof things e.g. a rentdepositorfurnitureremovalservice.Toqualifyyouneedtobereceivingoneofthefollowingbenefitsforatleast26weeks:

• IncomerelatedJobSeekersAllowance• HousingBenefit• IncomerelatedEmployment&SupportAllowance• IncomeSupport• ChildTaxCredit• WorkingTaxCredit• UniversalCredit

Theminimumamountyoucanborrowis£100anditwillberecoveredfromyourbenefitoveranagreedperiod–butnormallywithin2years.

Please Note: It is unlikely you will be offered this service - If you want to apply for this you will have to ask your advisor and use the right title.

DID YOU KNOW!

Only 0.7% (£1.2bn) of the UK welfare budget was lost due to fraud – around £119bn was lost due to unpaid tax (that’s enough to buy the full Real Madrid and Barcelona football teams 30 times over!)

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Disability Living Allowance

How do I apply for Disability Living Allowance?DisabilityLivingAllowance(DLA)nolongerexistsforpeopleover16yearsold.Ifyouareover16youneedtosubmitanapplicationforPersonalIndependencePayment.

How long will my Disability Living Allowance last? Your DLA award will last until you are invited to a Personal IndependencePayment(PIP)reassessment.Youmustrespondtotheassessmentinvitewithin4weeksoryourpaymentswillstop.

I have a lifetime DLA Award, will I be affected? Yes,even if youhada lifetimeawardofDLAyouwill still be reassessed forPIPandyoumust respond to theassessment invitewithin4weeksor yourpaymentswillstop.

What is Personal Independence Payment?PersonalIndependencePayment(PIP)hasreplacedDisabilityLivingAllowanceforpeopleaged16andover.Ifyouhaveadisability,physicalormentalhealthissuethataffectsyourdailylifeorhowyougetaroundyoumaybeentitledtoPIP.

IfyouwouldliketoapplyforPIPcontact0800917222andaskfora‘Howyourconditionaffectsyou’form.Theformasks lotsofquestionsabouthowyourconditioncanaffectyourdailylife,youmightwanttogethelpfromaWelfareRightsOfficerbeforecompletingtheform.TofindaWelfareRightsOfficerinyourareacontactGAINonFreephone08088011011.

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DLA &

PIPAfteryourapplication isreceived it’s likelythatyouwillbe invitedtoattend an assessment. GCVS has developed 2 guides to help peoplepreparefortheirPersonalIndependencePaymentAssessment,youcanfindthemhere:

http://www.gcvs.org.uk/learning-resources/personal-independence-payment-know-the-score

Where can I get support to attend an appointment? Youcantakesomeonewithyoutotheassessment.Ifyou’dlikesomeonetogoalongwithyoucontactNavigateon01414207272,theNavigateservice provides trained, experienced volunteers who can help youprepare.

European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals In2014theDepartmentforWorkandPensionsintroducedmorerobustrulesonEEANationals;theseruleshavethepotentialtocauseanumberofdifficultiesforpeoplewhohavecometotheUKfromotherareasofEuropetofindwork.

HomelessLinkhasdevelopedanexcellentbriefingpaperwhichclearlysets out the changes and gives concerted information on benefitentitlementsforEEANationals.Thebriefingpapercanbefoundat:http://www.homeless.org.uk/our-work/resources

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Household Benefit CapTheHouseholdBenefitCapwasputinplacetomakesurethatfamilieswherenooneworksdonotgetmoreinbenefitsthananaverageworkinghouseholdearns.TheHouseholdBenefitCapiscurrentlysetat:

• £500perweekforcouplesandloneparents;and• £300perweekforsinglepeoplewithoutchildren.

TheBenefitCaptakesintoaccountthemainoutofworkbenefits–JSA,ESA,ISandUC,plusHousingBenefit,ChildTaxCreditandChildBenefit.IfyoureceivemorethanthemaximumamounteachweekthenadeductionwillbemadefromyourHousingBenefit.

From April 2016 more people may be affected by the Benefit Cap as it isreducedto:

• £384.62perweekforcouples,familiesandloneparents• £257.69perweekforsinglepeoplewithoutchildren

Example: JoeandLilyhavetwochildrenaged12and14,theyareinaprivateletandreceivecouplesJSA,HousingBenefit,ChildBenefitandChildTaxCredit–atotalof£404.08eachweekinbenefits.

Atthemomenttheyarenotaffectedbythebenefitcap,butfrom1April2016 theywill be receiving £19.46more than theUKGovernment saysthey are entitled to. This amount will be deduced from their HousingBenefitaward.

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Getting HelpPeople who receive Working Tax Credit, Disability Living Allowance,Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance or CarersAllowance are exempt from the Benefit Cap. If you think youmay beentitled to one ormore of these benefits contactGAIN on Freephone08088011011.

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Carers Allowance What is Carers Allowance? CarersAllowanceisdesignedtosupportpeopleaged16+whocareforafriendor relative for at least 35hours eachweek. Youdon’t have to livewith thepersonyoucareforinordertobeeligibleforthebenefitandyoucanclaimtheallowanceevenifyouareworking.

CarersAllowanceisacomplicatedbenefitandifyoureceiveit,itcouldimpactonanyexistingbenefitsyoureceiveandonthebenefitsofthepersonyouarecaringfor.

How much is Carers Allowance?CarersAllowanceiscurrently£62.10perweekandcanbepaidtoyoueither4weeklyor13weekly–howeveryouprefer.CarersAllowancecanimpactonotherbenefitsyoureceive–e.g.ifyoureceiveameanstestedbenefitsuchasJobSeekersAllowance,IncomeSupportorPensionCreditthisbenefitwillbereducedby theamountyoureceive inCarersAllowance–howeveracarerspremiumwillbeaddedto themeans testedbenefitsoyoushouldstillbealittlebetteroff.

Can I work and still be entitled to Carers Allowance?Yes,buttobeeligibleforCarersAllowanceyoucan’tearnmorethan£110.00perweekaftertaxandchildcarecosts.

How can I apply for Carers Allowance?YoucanapplyforCarersAllowanceonlineat:

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim

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Benefits for Older PeopleWhat is Attendance Allowance? AttendanceAllowanceisabenefitforpeopleover65whoneedhelpbecause they have a disability, physical or mental health issue thataffectstheirdailylife.AttendanceAllowanceisn’tmeanstested–thismeansthatyourincomeand/orsavingsisn’ttakenintoconsideration.

TherearetwodifferentratesofAttendanceAllowanceandtheamountyoureceivedependsonhowmuchhelporsupportyouneed:

• Lower Rate | £55.10 per week You could get this rate if you get frequent help or needconstantsupervisionduringtheday,orifyouneedsupervisionatnight.FrequenthelpmayberegularvisitsfromaHomeCareAssistant,orhomehelp.

• Higher Rate | £82.30 per weekYoucouldgetthisrateifyouhavehelporsupervisionthroughoutthedayandthenight,orifyouhaveterminalillness.

If you think you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance call thehelplineon03456056055andaskforaclaimpack.Whencompletingthe application form try to be very clear about how your conditionaffectsyoue.g. sayhowmany falls you’vehad,describehow long ittakesyoutodoan‘ordinary’activitylikegettingdressedormakingacupoftea.

If you would like help to complete an Attendance Allowance claimform contact Age Scotland on 0800 4 708090. Age Scotland are anindependent charity and can give you advice and information aboutwhatyoumaybeentitledto.

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Pension Credit

What is Pension Credit?PensionCreditisanincomerelatedbenefitavailabletopeopleofacertainage,toqualifyyouhavetobeacertainageandreceivelessthan£151.20perweekifyouaresingle,or£230.85perweekifyouarepartofacouple.

TheGovernment is bringing PensionCredit qualifying age into linewith StatePensionage;thismeansyourdateofbirthdetermineswhenyouwillbeeligibleforPensionCredit:

• Ifyouwerebornbetween6March1953and5April1953youwillbecomeeligibleon6March2016.

• Ifyouwerebornbetween6April1953and5May1953youwillbecomeeligibleon6July2016.

Ifyouthinkyoumaybeeligibleyoucanapplybycalling0800991234.

Wewillupdatethisbookletwithfurthereligibilitydateswhentheinformationbecomesavailable.

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Tax Credits What are Tax Credits? TherearetwotypesofTaxCredit–ChildTaxCreditandWorkingTaxCredit.

1. ChildTaxCreditsarepaidtopeoplewhohavechildrenundertheageof16(orundertheageof20andinapprovededucationortraining).Youdon’thavetoworktoreceiveChildTaxCreditsand,dependingonyourcircumstancesyoucouldreceiveanamountforeachchildthatyouhave.

2. WorkingTaxCreditsaredesignedtohelppeoplewhoareinwork,butareonlowincomes.

GCVShavecreatedanextendedbriefingpaperonTaxCreditstohelpyoufindoutwhetherornotyoumaybeentitled:

http://www.gcvs.org.uk/learning-resources/tax-credit-briefing

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Independent Advice & Information Ifyouwantsomeindependentadviceandinformation,contactGAINonFreephone08088011011tofindawelfarerightsproviderclosetoyou.

Ifyouneedurgenthelpanddon’tthinkyoucanwaitforanappointmentyoumaywanttodropintoCitizen’sAdviceBureauCityCentreat88BellStreet,Glasgow–youmayhavetowaitawhilebutsomeonewillbeabletoseeyouandhelpyouwithyourissue.

YoucanaccessmorewelfarereformandbenefitresourcesontheGCVSwebsite,gotowww.gcvs.org.uk/ourprojects/welfarereformandcheckoutresources.

A little extra help to solve problems….with NavigateNavigate is aproject runby volunteerswhoare fully trained tohelp

people work through any issues they may have with their welfarebenefitsorhousing.Navigatevolunteerscanprovidethehelpthatsomepeopleneedtoengagewithspecialistservices.ForhelpfromNavigatedropinon:

GorbalsTuesdays1-4pm&Fridays10am-1pmClydeRoom/16aTheAdelphiCentre,12CommercialRoad,GlasgowG50PQ

IbroxMondays12-2pmIbroxParishChurch,CliffordStreet,IbroxG511QL

Websitewww.ghn.org.uk/navigateCall01414207272E-mailnavigate@ghn.org.uk

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WewanttoendhomelessnessinGlasgowandimproveoptionsforpeopleinhousingneed.GlasgowHomelessnessNetwork(‘GHN’)isacharityregisteredinScotland(SC003453)andcompanylimitedbyguarantee(SC112361).

RegisteredOffice:16a,AdelphiCentre,12CommercialRoad,GlasgowG50PQ.Director:Margaret-AnnBrünjes