Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the benefit cap on levels of demand on refuges.

No assessment has been made.

Domestic abuse survivors living in refuges provided by not-for-profit organisations can apply for help with their housing costs through Housing Benefit. During this time, their Housing Benefit is exempt from the Benefit Cap.

Housing Benefit claimants living in refuges can also apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to help with the cost of moving into settled accommodation.