Changes to the benefits system

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Please also see our special page on coronavirus and benefits

The following has to be read alongside government announcements on coronavirus and benefits

The Government is making major changes to the benefits system which affect many groups of people, generally known as ‘welfare reforms’. For example, some benefits are being replaced by Universal Credit, with increased work related responsibilities, some benefits are being capped and others are being cut and replaced

Find out more about Universal Credit

Find out more about the benefit cap

See ourtimeline of benefit changes  (pdf, 978kb)  

These changes and many more can also be found in the following web pages: 

Please note that someone might be in more than one group

• Changes to benefits for families, children and young people
• Changes to benefits for people of working age (including unemployment, in work and sickness benefits, bereavement benefits and the benefit cap)
• Changes to benefits for older people and the retired
• Changes to benefits for people with care or mobility needs (disabilities) and carers
• Changes to housing related benefits (including 'bedroom tax' and Council Tax)

Parts of the DWP Social Fund, which provides one-off help, were replaced by two new council schemes from April 2013. Find out about the Supporting Independence Scheme (SIS) - the replacement for Community Care Grants and the Crisis Support Scheme(CSS) - the replacement for the Crisis Loans

What can I do if I'm affected by the changes?

Where can I go for further advice?

Benefit Bulletins 

If you want to receive regular benefit news and information, please go to our Information for professionals and volunteers page and sign up for a Benefit Bulletin