Benefit alignment payments

(or whatever they’re called this week)

These are still in DWP territory but which office is now responsible for administering them? The old CL claim number no longer works and we’re getting conflicting info from the contact centre. I can’t seem to establish what the claims procedure is now, or find any relevant guidance as to where a payment would be deemed to be appropriate.

Here are links to guidance and a factsheet off the DWP website:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/m-6-13.pdf

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/budgeting-short-term-advances-guidance-las.pdf

But theres no information about how to apply. I heard reports yesterday of JCP sending people to the local authority for crisis loans when short term advances should be relevant,  so if anyone has any further info, I’d be glad to hear it.

Annoyingly the guidance in DMG Memo 6/13 is not particularly illuminating.

It refers decision makers to “operational guidance” on when the short term advance can be made.

I have done an FOI request for this operational guidance- you should be able to see it here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/operational_guidance_concerning#incoming-374978 if it is released.

Advisors may also want to check out the regulations which define when someone is in need etc (see Reg 7) which is a requirement to get the short term advance: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/383/pdfs/uksi_20130383_en.pdf

Martin

“I heard reports yesterday of JCP sending people to the local authority for crisis loans when short term advances should be relevant, so if anyone has any further info, I’d be glad to hear it.”

Some LA’s will not give crisis loans where DWP interim payments can be made.

It can’t help that DWP seems to use the terms short term advance and payment on account to mean the same thing. I believe the relevant regulations are the Social Security (Payments on Account of Benefit) Regulations 2013 - it would be nice if they used the correct terminology.