August 2022 – Claimant will have to self-identify for LHA exemption

The exemptions for victims of domestic abuse or modern slavery were originally planned for October 2023. However, the Department has brought them forward to October 2022 (as confirmed in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021).

The DWP states that there is work ongoing with stakeholders to advertise the change to as many people as possible, and the Department is training operational staff to ensure they know about the exemptions, but the onus is on the individual claimant to raise it. In terms of modern slavery evidence, a victim is issued a letter by the Home Office, so that letter will be acceptable as evidence.