Benefit Cap – National roll out timetable
National roll out of the benefit cap will begin on 15 July Ministers announced today.
National roll out of the benefit cap will begin on 15 July Ministers announced today, as they confirmed that around 7000 people, who would have been affected by the cap, have now moved into work and a further 22,000 have accepted employment support to move into jobs.
Jobcentre Plus has been working with people who could be affected by the cap since last April, offering them support to get into work. Households with someone who is entitled to Working Tax Credits will not be affected by the cap - a clear incentive to choose work over benefits.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said:
We’ve given people plenty of notice about the benefit cap coming in, and Jobcentre Plus have been working tirelessly to get people the help they need.
I’ve seen first hand that the benefit cap is having a positive impact and is incentivising people to return to work.
The benefit cap will start in Bromley, Croydon, Enfield and Haringey from 15 April this year. All other Local Authorities will begin rolling out the cap from 15 July and it will be completely implemented by September this year.
This gradual approach will ensure that the policy is implemented safely and responsibly and that claimants are protected through the process.
Jobcentre Plus is working with Local Authorities to ensure that households are able to access a wide range of support. This includes: help to move closer, or into the labour market, money and budgetary advice, housing options advice, support to negotiate rent reductions with private landlords and access to child care provision.