Help offered on benefit shake-up

And in a bid to help, staff from Doncaster Council and its housing management company St Leger Homes, are hosting an information day next Friday.

The Welfare Reform Act — which was rubber stamped in March — aims to simplify and make fairer the existing benefits system by improving work incentives.

Changes will come into force next April and include a limit on employment benefits, a cap on housing benefit, a new system of child support and a restructure of job seekers’ allowance.

A spokesman for the Coalition Government said: “We are reforming the system to help people to move into and progress in work, while supporting the most vulnerable.

“Many people on benefits perceive the financial risks of moving into work as just too great.

“Reforming the benefit system aims to make it fairer, more affordable and better able to tackle poverty, worklessness and welfare dependency.

“We are committed to overhaul the benefit system to promote work and personal responsibility.”

The information day will be based outside the entrance to the Corn Exchange at Doncaster Market between 10am and 3pm.

Staff from St Leger Homes and the council’s housing and benefits departments will be on hand to help people find ways of dealing with the changes and to see what options are available.

Also taking part in the event will be organisations that can provide practical help and support, such as Success Doncaster, Doncaster Development Trusts, Refurnish and South Yorkshire Credit Union.

Face painting and balloons will be on offer to make sure that children are kept occupied.