CIH cost of living briefing four: Spotlight on benefits and disability

Today we launched the fourth in a series of briefing documents as we address the question: “what is the impact of the cost of living crisis on social housing tenants – and how should the sector respond?”

The latest briefing examines the impact of rising inflation on benefits, at a time when government support has been scaled back, with the energy-price guarantee reduced from two years to six months, ending in April 2023. This publication looks at what this means for people, shining a spotlight on the impact on disabled people and support provided from the welfare system and summarising the latest research and data available, with case studies showing how social housing providers are supporting their customers.

Within the briefing, and ahead of the government’s autumn statement on 17 November, we reiterate our call for action, urging the government to:

• Uprate of benefits in line with inflation and bring forward the uprating from next April
• Limit deductions from Universal Credit for prior overpayments/sanctions
• Remove the benefit cap and two-child limit
• Restore local housing allowance rates to at least the 30th percentile and return to annual uprating
• Commit to bring forward additional funding for energy efficiency measures in homes

You can read the other cost of living briefings here. To contribute to upcoming briefings please email policyandpractice@cih.org