A new, reduced cap on benefits is being rolled out from 7 November.  The changes reduce the benefit cap from £500 a week to £384.62 for a couple or person with children; and from £350 to £257.69 for single adults.  This is a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) cut, not a Council cut.  The change will save the government £1.4 million a year. Claimants affected were warned by the DWP in May/ June, and again in September.  653 households in County Durham will be affected.  Of those, 361 households (55%) are facing reductions in their housing benefit of up to £49.99 and the remaining 292 (45%) face the loss of the majority of their Housing Benefit. 33 families will be losing between £100-£150 a week. 60 of the affected families live in Newton Aycliffe.  33 families are livin tenants. DCC’s Housing Solutions welfare reform officers have been contacting tenants affected by the changes and undertaking the County Durham Triage with them, ensuring they are adequately housed, maximising their income, and helping them find employment. The Housing Providers and Housing Solutions Team will be completing Discretionary Housing Payment applications with customers where relevant and these applications will be considered as a priority. 119 families affected in the County by the benefit cap are on the “Troubled Families” Programme; they are being offered additional support. If residents have any queries or think the cap should not apply to them they should call the DWP Benefit Cap helpline (open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm) on 0345 605 7064. If you fear the changes will leave you in danger of losing your home, phone DCC’s Housing Solutions’ Housing Advice line on 03000 268 000. John Clare