Health boards can now refuse rent supplement to someone who is not already renting for six months unless that person is homeless or where there are other compelling reasons. Rent allowance claimants will be referred to the local authority for assessment of housing need in a more systematic manner rather than applying to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Having regard to these cuts, it is appropriate that when that Department was renamed, the word "community" was removed. Rent allowance will no longer be paid to people who refuse an offer of a local authority house or who leave such housing without reasonable cause. A supplement given to recipients of supplementary welfare allowance who have been supported by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service in brokering a deal with creditors it to be discontinued.