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Forum Home  →  Discussion  →  Housing costs  →  Thread

Windrush guidance for HB claimants

Martin Williams
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Welfare rights advisor - CPAG, London

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Total Posts: 769

Joined: 16 June 2010

Concerning this:
https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/welfare-rights/news/item/urgent-bulletin-issued-to-local-authorities-on-dealing-with-housing-benefit

And particularly this bit of guidance:

“Following any referrals to the task force, the Home Office recommend that LAs wait at least 2 weeks to allow the referral to be reviewed and any necessary paperwork provided, prior to LAs taking any further steps to process, restrict or stop HB claims or allow access/remove any other services. “

Good they aren’t advising stopping benefits.

However…..

Delaying taking any action on a new claim for 2 weeks whilst the Home Office sort things out is unlawful for private tenants (ie non Council tenants) of course- reg 93 of the HB Regs would require an interim payment of the amount of HB thought likely to be entitled to….

I can’t see it is a good look for the DWP to be urging Local Authorities not to comply with their legal duties to this particular client group.

Martin.

[ Edited: 4 May 2018 at 04:59 pm by Martin Williams ]