AQW 7070/16-21

Ms Michaela Boyle
Sinn Féin
West Tyrone

Tabled Date: 14/11/2016
Answered On Date: 21/11/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to outline the mitigation measures in place for people on benefits following the Fresh Start Agreement.

Answer:

The Welfare Reform Mitigations Working Group recommended that a number of Welfare Supplementary Payment schemes be introduced to provide cash payments to claimants affected by the welfare changes.

My department has brought forward the necessary legislation to make these payments and has put in place the operational arrangements to make payments to impacted claimants. Table A shows the list of mitigation schemes which are now currently operating and the claimants who qualify for payments.

It is planned to introduce further schemes in early 2017 to mitigate the impact of other changes as recommended by the Mitigation Working Group.

Welfare Change	Mitigation Provided	Duration of Payment
Time-limiting of contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.	100% of actual loss of benefit of contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.	Up to one year.
Benefit Cap on total welfare benefits.	100% of actual reduction in Housing Benefit entitlement.	Up to four years.
Introduction of Personal Independence Payment. Mitigation provided for people that have no (or reduced) entitlement following reassessment from Disability Living Allowance.	100% of the loss of Disability Living Allowance following an appeal of the decision not to award Personal Independence Payment.	Until the outcome of the appeal is known.
	75% of the difference between the award of Disability Living Allowance and a reduced award of Personal Independence Payment. The difference must be at least £10.	Up to one year.
	A payment equivalent to either the standard rate of the mobility component or the relevant standard rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment. Payable in cases where a person has a conflict-related injury, has been refused Personal Independence Payment but has been awarded at least 4 points in their assessment.	Up to one year.
Introduction of Personal Independence Payment. Mitigation provided for people that have no (or reduced) entitlement following reassessment from Disability Living Allowance.	A payment equivalent to the loss of any disability premiums paid in addition to an income-related benefit.	Up to one year.
	A payment equivalent to the loss of the severe disability element of Working Tax Credits or State Pension Credit.	Up to one year.
	A payment equivalent to the loss of Carer’s Allowance.* OR A payment equivalent to the loss of a carer premium (or equivalent) paid in addition to an income-related benefit.	Up to one year.

* The difference in the amount of payments for Carers will be confirmed in a set of amendment regulations that the Department intends to bring into operation in early 2017.