Let the benefit changes begin - DWP releases April's welfare reform timetable

The Department for Works and Pensions has released a timetable for the Government's changes to the benefits system throughout April.

The changes are:

April 1 - Bedroom tax:Working-age tenants in the social sector will see cuts of up to 25 percent to their housing benefit if they are deemed to be under-occupying their homes.

April 1 - Crisis loans and community grants replaced by local provision: The full funding for this will be given to local authorities or devolved governments, who the DWP claims are best placed to ensure this money goes to those who need it the most.

April 8 - Personal Independence Payment introduced: New claims for PIP will start with the Bootle benefit centre. Bootle will handle the claims from areas including Merseyside, North West England, Cumbria, Cheshire and North-East England. PIP replaces Disability Living Allowance for working-age claimants.

April 8 - Benefit Uprating: The State Pension will increase by 2.5 percent because of the triple lock. Working-age benefits and tax credits will be uprated by 1 percent, below the rate of inflation. Disability benefits will continue to be uprated inline with inflation.

April 15 - Benefit cap: Households on out-of-work benefits will no longer receive more than the average weekly wage after tax and National Insurance. To begin with, this rolls out in four London boroughs, and then nationally in the summer. Those on Disability Living Allowance and Working Tax Credits will be exempted.

End of April - Universal Credit rolls out in pathfinder areas: Some new claimants will receive Universal Credit, which is replacing the six main out-of-work benefits to simplify the benefits system and make work pay.