Benefit changes timetable
Key information
Significant changes are being made the
benefits and tax credits system over the next few
years.
A calendar of upcoming changes is
provided on this page.
An archive of past changes can be
accessed from the right hand side of this page.
Turn2us has also produced information sheets
on the following aspects of welfare reform:
Please note: Information
about some of these changes may be limited at present and
also subject to further change. Although some will happen quickly,
others may be introduced over several years.
If you are worried about how you may be
affected you should discuss this with a benefits adviser. You can
use our Find an Adviser tool to
find one in your area.
Index
You can read through this information sheet, or go directly to
the sections you want to read by clicking on these links:
Benefit Changes 2013
Benefit Changes 2014
Benefit Changes 2015
Benefit Changes 2016
Benefit Changes 2017
Benefit changes 2013
June 2013
Personal Independence Payment
All new claimants aged 16-64 will have to claim Personal Independence Payment
(PIP) instead of Disability Living
Allowance from the 10th June.
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October 2013
Appeals process changes
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is revising
its appeals process to make sure more appeals are resolved without
being referred to Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service
(HMCTS). The following changes will be introduced:
Mandatory reconsideration
If you receive a decision from DWP that you don't think is
right, you will have to ask for a ‘mandatory
reconsideration’ before being allowed to appeal. The aim is to
resolve more disputes at an earlier stage and help ensure that
people receive their correct entitlement earlier. If you want to
appeal after the mandatory reconsideration you will need to
send your appeal directly to HMCTS instead of DWP.
Time limits
The introduction of the changes is an opportunity to introduce
time-limiting on appeals responses. DWP is currently in discussions
with the Tribunal Procedure Committee as to what these limits
might be.
Universal Credit
The current complex system of working-age benefits and Tax
Credits is to be replaced by a new benefit called Universal Credit.
From October 2013 those making a new benefit claim for one of the
six benefits affected will claim Universal Credit instead. In
Northern Ireland this won't happen until April 2014.
See our the Turn2us Universal Credit
information sheet
Personal Independence Payment
From October 2013 some people receiving DLA will have to claim
PIP instead. This will apply to you if:
- your existing award of DLA expires: or
- you become 16 years old: or
- your care needs or mobility needs change and you apply for a
reassessment of your DLA.
See our Personal Independence Payment
(PIP) information sheet
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Benefits changes 2014
March 2014
Incapacity benefits
The transfer of existing claimants on
incapacity benefits (i.e. Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement
Allowance and Income Support on disability grounds) to Employment
and Support Allowance should be completed by the end of March
2014.
See the Turn2us Incapacity Benefit
changes information sheet
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April 2014
Universal Credit
Universal Credit to be introduced in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Social Security Minister, Nelson
McCausland, and the Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord
Freud, have agreed changes about the way Universal Credit is
paid in Northern Ireland to protect the most vulnerable and
reflect Northern Ireland's unique circumstances.
The changes agreed are:
- Housing cost element of Universal Credit paid direct to
landlords
- Payment of Universal Credit may be split between two people in
the household
- Payment of Universal Credit may be payable twice each
month.
See the Turn2us news item on Northern Ireland and
Universal Credit (23 October 2012)
See the Turn2us Universal
Credit section
October 2014
Pension Credit, Housing Credit
Universal Credit is replacing
Housing Benefit so if you are over
Pension Credit age you will
get help with your rent through a new element of Pension Credit called Housing Credit
instead.
If you are currently claiming Housing Benefit and
are over Pension Credit age you will be moved onto Pension
Credit, including Housing Credit, between October 2014 and October
2017.
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Benefit changes 2015
Date to be confirmed
Independent Living Fund
The Independent Living Fund (ILF) - which provides money to help
people with disabilities live an independent life in the community
- is to close in 2015.
Funding will be incorporated into local social care
arrangements - through local councils in England and the
devolved governments in Scotland and Wales.
People who already have ILF care packages will have to transfer
to new local arrangements.
See the Independent Living Fund
website for more information
October 2015
Personal Independence Payment
Claimants aged 16-64 still receiving Disability Living
Allowance (DLA) will start to be contacted to claim Personal
Independence Payment instead.
See the Turn2us Personal Independence
Payment (PIP) information sheet
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Benefit changes 2016
April 2016
State Pension Age
Proposed Change: Plans to bring women’s pension
age in line with men’s will be sped up from April 2016 so that
women’s pension age reaches 65 in November 2018.
Pension age for men and women will then increase to 66 from
December 2018 to April 2020.
Update: The Pensions Bill has been amended
after concerns that some women would have to wait for up to an
extra two years to collect their pensions. The proposed rise in the
state pension age to 66 by 2020 is to be delayed by six months,
from April 2020 to October 2020 capping the increase at a maximum
of 18 months.
See the Turn2us State Pension age
changes information sheet.
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Benefit changes 2017
April 2017
Single Tier Pension
Legislation to bring about this change has not yet been
introduced. The Government doesn't intend to bring this in until
April 2017 at the earliest.
The single tier pension will be a flat rate without the
additions and complexities of the current system, and without the
right to inherit or get rights to a pension on the basis of
your spouse or civil partner's contributions.
The rate will be more than the basic means-tested support
currently available, the guarantee part of Pension Credit, which is £145.40 per week for a
single pensioner and £222.05 for a couple.
To qualify for the full single tier pension you will need 35
qualifying years of National Insurance
contributions (NICs) or credits. If you don't qualify for the
full pension you can get a smaller amount based on how many
qualifying years you have. However, you will need a minimum of
between seven and ten years.
If you qualify for the single tier pension you will not be able
to get the savings credit part of Pension Credit.
If you are already over State Pension
age when this is introduced you will continue to receive your
State Retirement Pension under the
current system and can continue to get the savings credit part of
Pension Credit if you are entitled to it.
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Last updated: 13 May 2013
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