Tees Valley - Welcome to Compass

The severe disability premium gateway that protected certain disabled claimants from having to claim universal credit ended on 26th  January.

This means that if a disabled customer wants to move area and claim help with their housing costs or claim help with housing costs for the first time then they will have to make a claim for Universal Credit.

This has long term implications in that they will be worse off and personal care service charges are not covered by Universal Credit.”

Who can claim: SDP Gateway no longer applies - What now?

The SDP Gateway rules were revoked on 27th January 2021.

This means that from that date someone with a Severe Disability Premium (SDP) in an 'existing benefit' is:

• Not 'protected' ie prevented from claiming UC,

• Not able to make new claims for Income-Related ESA, Income Support, Income-Based JSA, HB* or Tax Credits,

• May^ be entitled to the Transitional SDP Element - click here.

*unless living in 'specified' or 'temporary' accommodation.

^ only for those getting a SDP in an award of IR-ESA, IS, or IB-JSA ie not HB.

So if someone on IR-ESA, IS, IB-JSA or HB has a change in their circumstances on or after 27th January 2021 that would normally trigger a new claim for one or more of these benefits (or Tax Credits), they will not be able to make a new claim for them (or Tax Credits) and will have to consider claiming UC instead.

Did you know that Universal Credit (UC) replaces the following benefits for new claims:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance

• Income Support

• Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit

• Housing Benefit.

Universal Credit is paid directly to claimants every month, including any help towards rent. If you receive UC this means you will be responsible for ensuring full rent is paid.

When a new claim is made for Universal Credit, there will be a wait of one calendar month plus seven days for the first payment. The DWP may consider paying Universal Credit twice a month if claimants will struggle with monthly payments.

Customers can get ready for Universal Credit by setting up an email address and opening a bank account. The claim needs to be made online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit

If you move from one local authority area to another and are currently on housing benefit (HB) you will lose this and have to go on UC. However if you are moving within the area and are in receipt of HB you will stay on HB for now.

If you would like to know more about universal credit please visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk and then type in ‘universal credit’ in the search bar.

Coast & Country Housing and Yorkshire Coast Homes have confirmed the two organisations will merge to form a new company, Beyond Housing, on Monday 1 October 2018.

From this point, adverts and information on properties currently listed on Compass under Coast & Country Housing will change to be from Beyond Housing.

Beyond Housing will serve customers in more than 15,000 homes across the north east and North Yorkshire. Its combined scale and resources will allow it to do more for customers and communities.

For more information please visit www.coastandcountryhousing.org.uk.