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<p>No assessment has been made.</p><p> </p><p>The removal of the spare room subsidy
policy applies to claims for housing support where the claimant is living in the social
rented sector in a property that is deemed too large for their needs. The policy aims
to strengthen work incentives and seeks to encourage greater mobility within the social
rented sector.</p><p> </p><p>There are no plans to abolish the policy, and certain
easements are available which allow for the provision of an additional bedroom in
certain circumstances, such as to support the needs of disabled people.</p><p> </p><p>Discretionary
Housing Payments (DHPs) are available for those who face a shortfall in meeting their
housing costs. Since 2011 we have provided nearly £1.6 billion in funding to local
authorities for DHPs.</p><p> </p><p>We are doing more to help households who may be
struggling. The government announced substantial cost of living support for 2023/24
in the Autumn Statement. This is intended to provide stability and certainty for households
and includes Cost of Living Payments for the most vulnerable, meaning around 8 million
households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to a further £900 in Payments
in 2023/24. Benefits and state pensions will also be uprated by 10.1% in 2023-24.</p><p>
</p><p>For those who need additional support the Government is providing an additional
£1 billion of funding, including Barnett impact, to enable a further extension to
the Household Support Fund in England over the 2023/24 financial year. In England,
this scheme will be backed by £842 million, running from 1 April 2023 to 31 March
2024, which local authorities will use to help households with the cost of essentials.
It will be for the devolved administrations to decide how to allocate their additional
Barnett funding. Local Authorities are expected to support households in the most
need, and in particular those who may not be eligible for the other support government
has recently made available.</p>
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