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<p>The Department intends to publish this research in Spring 2019. The research publication
will include all topic guides and questionnaires used in the research, and an overview
of the original research brief.</p><p>The quantitative survey of claimants carried
out by the National Centre for Social Research (Natcen), an independent research agency
was delivered over two waves, to explore how claimant responses to the cap had changed
over time. Wave one was conducted approximately seven months after implementation
of the new cap, with 1,900 claimants interviewed. The sample included claimants affected
by the cap under both legacy benefit and Universal Credit arrangements, across Great
Britain. Wave two was conducted approximately six months later, with over 800 of those
same claimants. The survey included questions on the following topics:</p><ul><li>Awareness
of the cap and current cap status</li><li>Impacts of the cap on employment and employment
related behaviour</li><li>Impacts of the cap on claimants housing and housing related
behaviour</li><li>Awareness and use of Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs)</li><li>Barriers
faced by claimants regarding employment and housing changes</li><li>Broader impacts
of the cap (including upon health, relationships and finances)</li><li>Use of available
advice and support services</li></ul><p>For the qualitative, case study strand Natcen
invited people working at a range of Local Authorities, Jobcentre Plus and local advice
and support organisations to take part in research interviews. Local organisations
included family support charities, financial charities and credit unions, housing
and homelessness support organisations, housing associations, information and advice
providing services, women’s charities, food banks and legal charities. The focus of
these interviews was on experiences of the introduction of the lower, tiered Benefit
Cap and the impacts it had on the services they delivered, and upon claimants affected
by the cap. Forty-two interviews were conducted across the six case study areas.</p>
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