Warning for Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent

Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent Citizens’ Advice Bureau staff and volunteers heard the stark reality of the likely impact of changes to social security benefits in their areas at their conference on 5th October in home of the welfare state, Tredegar.   Bevan Foundation Director Victoria Winckler told delegates that more than 20,000 people currently receiving Council Tax Benefit would see arrangements change from April 2013, whilst nearly 15,000 people who currently receive Housing Benefit would see changes from a mixture of the ‘bedroom tax’, limits on claims by under-35 year olds and the eventual integration with Universal Credit.  Victoria also highlighted the effects of changes to Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance as all 18,000 claimants were re-assessed.