To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,what steps her Department is taking to support victims of domestic violence to access (a) safe and secure housing and (b) financial support.
Answered on
26 May 2021
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 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.
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.