Councils and landlords prepare for welfare changes

Published by 24publishing for allpay Limited in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Councils and housing associations are making preparations ahead of this year’s welfare reform changes – including ordering more allpay swipecards for residents who will become eligible to pay rent and council tax.

allpay provides housing associations and councils with simple, user-friendly ways to pay their rent and council tax and currently works with more than 70% of all social landlords.

April sees the introduction of the household benefit cap (phased) and the under-occupation rules in the social sector meaning those tenants of working age whose rent is currently fully paid for by housing benefit could have to pay a substantial part of the rent themselves.

The changes kick in six months before Universal Credit begins which will gradually see tenants switched to a system of receiving most income-related benefits – including housing benefit – directly within a single monthly payment, therefore being responsible for paying their own rent.

In addition, the Government’s 10% reduction in council tax support could see working-age claimants across Great Britain currently exempt from a bill having to pay council tax for the first time from April.

allpay is reminding clients who currently use its swipecards for rent and council tax payments to ensure they have enough cards to issue to residents affected by the changes - who may now be eligible for rent and council tax payments. It has seen a number of recent orders from both councils and landlords ahead of the changes.

The London borough of Hillingdon, for example, has ordered 13,000 new allpay swipecards for residents, ensuring they can pay their council tax at local Post Office® and PayPoint outlets.

Additionally, once the payment card has been received, residents can also pay online, by telephone, text or via the allpay app. Clients can also order copies of the ‘How to use your payment card' guide directly from allpay. Please email print@allpay.net for more information.

According to the think tank, the New Policy Institute – which has set up a website to track council tax support schemes (CTS) being adopted by English local authorities – some 160 councils have decided (or are in the final stages of deciding) their support schemes for April 2013.

It says that around two thirds have decided they will introduce a minimum payment to working-age households from next year, meaning that all working-age people will have to pay something towards their council tax regardless of income.

In addition to payment options, allpay is offering print services to councils and housing associations to help communicate welfare reform changes to their customers. It can provide organisations with effective communication literature and leaflets which can then be passed to residents informing them of the changes and how they might be affected.

For more information, contact 0844 557 8325 or email print@allpay.net

For an indication of card levels or to order more, you can contact the Client Care team on enquiries@allpay.net.