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directgov online benefit cap calculator now available
Following Chris Grayling’s 25 May 2012 response to parliamentary question -
‘There are no plans to write to claimants with information about the possible financial impact for the household as their circumstances could change before the cap is implemented in April 2013.
An online calculator will shortly be made available for claimants to use to assess the potential impact of the cap, based on their current circumstances. Claimants will need to have details of their benefit award available to use the calculator effectively.’ -
the online benefit cap calculator now been published on directgov website -
https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/bcc/lp
AAAAAAAARGH!!!!
Question 1
Do you qualify for Working Tax Credit?
Help for question. If you qualify for Working Tax Credit you will have had a letter telling you this.
You have to answer every question, Yes or No, no sensible default answers.
You have to do the weekly to annual conversion.
You have to put 0p in a separate box for round pounds.
The result then deducts anything over £500, for couples, from the HB you tell it you’re getting, reminding you that,
“This result is an estimate only and is based on the information you have supplied.”
It tells you that you can print off the information but there’s no print button, to print the information you’ve entered, so the best you can do is to print off the screen with just the
“Your calculation:
Based on the information you have provided you will be affected by the benefit cap, as your household is currently awarded £540.00 in benefits.
This means your Housing Benefit will be reduced by £40.00 in April 2013.” information.
Finally
“Further help
If you need further help or advice about the benefit cap please call:
0845 605 7064 - English
0845 605 7066 - Welsh
0845 608 8551 - textphone
You will be charged for this call.”
I think we have a new candidate for the most useless bit of support I’ve seen produced by the government.
Regulations to set the amounts of the cap haven’t been presented yet, have they?
no, no regs as yet.
directgov info page says -
‘The actual amount of the cap won’t be set until later this year, but is currently expected to be set as follows.
A maximum of £350 a week if you’re a single person and either:
* you have no children
* the children you have responsibility for don’t live with you
A maximum of £500 a week if you’re either:
* a couple, with or without dependant children
* a lone parent with dependant children’
here’s a link to info page -
You can download draft regs from:
https://www.lgbp.co.uk/docs/bencapdraftregs.pdf (via National Housing Federation)
Like the online calculator, these only cover capping via HB - not UC.
According to directgov the cap will apply to claimants aged 16-64. The draft regs, as expected, only apply to working age claims.
The online calculator also makes no mention of the 39 week grace period for claimants formerly in work.