Unless you’ve just returned from a self-financed stay on a desert island or a trip to outer space, you will know that the welfare benefits system is undergoing a great deal of change. If you're finding any of this confusing, you are not alone, so here is a brief summary of some of the key changes: DLA is being replaced by the Personal Independence Payment for all claimants aged 16-64, who need help with getting around and/or help with day to day living. This will be introduced nationally for all new claims from June 2013. Universal Credit is a single means tested benefit which will replace most means tested benefits for people of working age, rolling out nationally from Oct 2013. It can be claimed by people who are working, self employed, unemployed, sick or lone parents. Commencing April 2013 there is a reduction in Housing Benefit for people in social housing who are deemed to have spare bedrooms. The reduction is 14% for one spare bedroom and 25% for two. The allowance of bedrooms is one for a couple, one for a single person over 16, one for two children of the same sex under 16, one for two children under 10 of either sex, one for any other child and one for an overnight Carer. If you need to talk through how any of this affects you, or for info on other changes, please call the Disability Advice Bureau on 020 8840 8573 and arrange to speak to one of our advisers.