Dataset: Benefit Cap (Cumulative Caseload)
Description
From August 2018 (May 18 statistics) the method for determining off-flow outcomes, and the outcome categories used, have changed. This means that off-flow outcome statistics published from August 2018 are not comparable with those published before August 2018.
Households may flow on and off the cap numerous times as their circumstances change. The benefit cap official statistics contain data on the number of households no longer subject to the Housing Benefit cap as at the reporting month.
Before August 2018, the reason for off-flow from the benefit cap was given as at the reporting month, regardless of when a household moved off the cap. This meant that the outcome could change if a household remained off the cap.
From August 2018 onwards the outcome is reported as at the end of the quarter in which a household moved off the Housing Benefit cap. This means the outcome is fixed at that point, unless a household is re-capped; if a household has multiple spells on and off the cap, the outcome after the latest spell will be reported.
Off-flow data is merged to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and DWP benefits data to determine outcomes.
There may be a number of reasons why a household is no longer capped, for example moving to a cheaper area in a different Local Authority that also reduces the Housing Benefit amount. Therefore, to avoid multiple counts a hierarchical approach to the household outcome is used for reporting and only the top-most reason for which they are eligible is counted, as detailed below.
1. Household has an open Working Tax Credit claim.
2. Household is in receipt of other benefit resulting in exemption (Employment Support Allowance support group / Disability Living Allowance / Industrial Injuries / Personal Independent Payment).
3. Household is no longer claiming Housing Benefit but has a Universal Credit claim.
4. Household is no longer claiming Housing Benefit and does not have a Universal Credit claim.
5. Amount of Housing Benefit claimed has reduced.
6. Other (including household benefit income below cap level without a change to Housing Benefit amount, change in original household structure, change in recorded Local Authority, grace period, operational factors / timing, no longer working age.)
Note - Not all outcomes reported on are a specific reason for a household to flow off the benefit cap, for example a change in Local Authority, but may indicate a change in circumstance leading to an off flow. There may also be instances where, for example, a household moves into employment, but does not have an open Working Tax Credit claim.
More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-cap-statistics-background-information-and-methodology
Classification
Applicable to: All capped households:
- Currently capped.
- Household has open Working Tax Credit claim.
- Household receiving other exempt benefit (Employment Support Allowance support group / Disability Living Allowance / Industrial Injuries / Personal Independent Payment).
- Household is no longer claiming Housing Benefit but has a Universal Credit claim.
- Household is no longer claiming Housing Benefit and does not have a Universal Credit claim.
- Amount of Housing Benefit claimed has reduced.
- Other (including household benefit income below cap level without a change to Housing Benefit amount, change in original household structure, change in recorded Local Authority, grace period, operational factors / timing, no longer working age.)
- Unknown or missing.
Total number of categories: 8
Quality Statement
There is no single source of outcome / reason for households to flow off the cap. Latest 100% DWP benefit scans, weekly HMRC tax credit data and Single Housing Benefit Extract are used to determine the most appropriate household benefits status. An open Working Tax Credit claim is a proxy for movements into work. This is not a comprehensive measure of moves into work; some individuals may go into work but not be eligible to claim Working Tax Credit if their earnings are too high or the hours worked do not meet the claim requirements. The results will be subject to retrospection as Working Tax Credit spells are recorded. It is possible that Working Tax Credit claims could be back dated. The outcomes included in the ‘Other’ category are not specifically a reason in themselves to come off the cap but are a measurable change in circumstance.