Working Benefits Workshop

Killer Facts1. What % of working people who are entitled to HB are not claiming it?

Working Benefits workshop

A. 20%

B. 30%

D. 50%

Killer Facts

2. For these working people, what is the average weekly amount of unclaimed HB ?

Working Benefits workshop

A. £13.0

0

B. £22.0

0

D. £53.0

0

Killer Facts

3. Which group of people are not entitled to Working Tax Credit?

Working Benefits workshop

A. Working parents

B. Working single people without children

D. Older people starting

work of 16 hrs or more

Killer Facts4. Of those people without children who can claim WTC, what % are not claiming it?

Working Benefits workshop

A. 80%

B. 60%

D. 20%

Killer Facts5. How much goes unclaimed in Working Tax Credit every year?

Working Benefits workshop

A. £602 thousa

nd

B. £6.9 millio

n

D. £3.9

billion

Killer Facts

6. Which of these is not a back to work benefit?

Working Benefits workshop

A. In Work Credit

B. Working Families Credit

D. Return to Work Credit

Killer Facts

7. How much financial help is given daily with Child Care costs via Working Tax Credit?

Working Benefits workshop

A. £202 thousa

nd

B. £987 thousa

nd

D. £3.8 millio

n

Film

Customers’ experiences / perceptions of benefits & work

Working Benefits workshop

Solutions• Financial Help:•Transition into work•Whilst in work

•Claiming Processes:•In and Out of Work processes•Information flows

•Tools for customers and advisers:•Benefits Adviser Service•Leaflets / Fact Sheets

Working Benefits workshop

SolutionsTransition into work

•Extended Payments for people with housing costs:

Working Benefits workshop

• Been on JSA, IS, ESA, IB, SDA continuously for 6 months or more,

• Which is stopping because they are starting work/ increasing hours /increasing pay which is expected to last 5 weeks or more.

• HB Office award automatically if have info.

• HB/CTB runs on for 4 weeks

SolutionsTransition into work

• Back to Work Credits:

• In Work Credit

• Return to Work Credit

• Self Employment Credit

Working Benefits workshop

SolutionsBetter off in work

• Working Tax Credit

• Housing Benefit• Treatment of Tax Credits• Child Benefit disregarded

• Help with child care costs

Working Benefits workshop

SolutionsBetter off in work

• Child care costs

• Need to use child care

• Formal child care, child under 15/16

• Amount of help• up to £175 for one child• up to £300 for two+ children

Working Benefits workshop

Couple, one child, working 16 hours a week minimum wage.

Not working:

JSA £102.75CTC £ 54.67CB £ 20.30

ie £177.72/week

Working Benefits workshop

Working:

Earnings £ 92.80CTC £ 54.67CB £ 20.30 WTC £ 73.15ie £240.92 /weekTo pay £10.27 rent £3.19 in Council Tax

Making them £49.74 a week ‘better off’

Single person age 49, starting work of 20 hrs a week minimum wage, from long term IB with IS top up

Not working:IB & IS £93.45

ie £93.45/week

Working Benefits workshop

Working:

Earnings £115.34WTC £ 86.24RTWC £ 40.00 ie £241.58/week

To pay £46.16 in rent £14.20 in CT

Better off by £87.77/week in the first year

SolutionsIn and Out of Work processes

• For Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants and lone parents on Income Support• Benefits turned ‘on and off’ more quickly• Single point of contact• Joined up working• Confidence in starting work / short term work• Reduces overpayments

Working Benefits workshop

SolutionsClaiming / notifying

• Reduced need for contact• IT Links: CIS• e-transfer of claims data

• Making contact easier• Self service

Working Benefits workshop

The benefits of workingNot just financial

• What other rewards are there?• Self confidence/ self esteem• Sense of independence• Sense of achievement • Health and well being• Social networking• Wider community

Working Benefits workshop

Next Steps

• Talk to customers• Tell them about benefits in work• Build on our /their knowledge• Motivate colleagues to do the same

• How?- Tools available to youWorking Benefits workshop

Tools

Working Benefits workshop

Tools / Next Steps

Benefits Adviser Service

Working Benefits workshop

Better off in work - James

Tools / Next Steps• Benefits Adviserwww.direct.gov.uk/benefitsadviser• Directgovwww.direct.gov.uk• Benefits & help when going back to workwww.direct.gov.uk/workingbenefits• Benefits of Working Leaflet –order online www.dwp.gov.uk/workingbenefits

Working Benefits workshop

How can you:

• Increase awareness of in-work benefits with your customers?

• Ensure colleagues are aware?

Working Benefits workshop

10-point action plan

• Feedback one idea from each table

• Turning these ideas into action!

Working Benefits workshop

10-point action plan

Working Benefits workshop