Important benefit changes

The Welfare Reform Act came into force in 2012.

The reforms included:

• introducing a £500 per week household benefit cap
• a new personal independence payment to replace Disability Living Allowance;
• introducing a new bedroom size criteria to make better use of social housing stock; and
• tougher penalties for benefit fraudsters.

The idea is that these changes will provide a welfare state that is fit for the 21st century and is both fair to claimants and the tax payer.