To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the benefit cap policy on the ability of victims of domestic abuse to flee that abuse and secure alternative accommodation.
Answered on
26 May 2021
No assessment has been made.
The benefit system acts as a safety net for people who find themselves in need of financial support with living and housing costs for a variety of reasons. A range of Universal Credit (UC) measures are designed to support victims of domestic abuse, including special provisions for temporary accommodation, easements from work-related requirements, same day advances and signposting to expert third-party services. There is also help available for childcare costs for children of any age. Claimants can recover up to 85% of their eligible childcare costs through UC (or 70% of those costs through working tax credits)
Further assistance may be available through the Flexible Support Fund.
Under the Domestic Abuse Act, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government have introduced a new duty on local authorities, which aims to ensure that all domestic abuse victims, including children, have access to safety and support within safe accommodation when they need it. In addition, provisions within the Act will also ensure that all homeless victims of domestic abuse automatically have ‘priority need’ for homelessness assistance.