NEW rules to ensure tenants who are struggling to meet rental costs are able to access financial assistance in a fair and consistent way are set to be introduced.
The Welsh Government, the Welsh Local Government Association, the Welfare Reform Club and Local Authorities, have worked closely together to develop new protocols for awarding Discretionary Housing Payments.
The UK Government fund enables tenants to receive temporary financial assistance if they have a shortfall in their Housing Benefit. Applications since the ‘bedroom tax’ was introduced have dramatically increased.
As of April 6, the rules aims to give all applicants a fair and consistent decision and prioritise people who are doing all they can to help themselves.
Local Authorities will need to assist tenants with underlying problems causing their hardship, such as providing advice and referring people to other appropriate agencies.
Local Authorities, who are responsible for administering the fund, use guidance provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The new rules which are set to be introduced alongside existing DWP guidance, will help Local Authorities award the funding in a fair and consistent way.
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