Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance he has provided to local authorities on allocating discretionary housing payments to claimants accommodated within domestic violence refuges who have been notified that their benefit entitlement will reduce as a result of changes to the benefit cap.

The departmental Discretionary Housing Payment Guidance Manual makes clear to Local authorities that they should ensure victims of domestic abuse receive the support they need.

A link to the Guidance Manual is enclosed below

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/524321/discretionary-housing-payments-guide.pdf.

Overall funding of £870 million has been committed for Discretionary Housing Payments over five years. As part of this, £150 million has been allocated for this financial year (2016/17) and £185 million will be allocated next year (2017/18).