Guidance

LA Welfare Direct lite 9/20

Updated 11 December 2020

Contact

If you have queries about the:

• technical content of this bulletin, contact details are given at the end of each article

• general content and distribution of this bulletin, contact: housing.correspondenceandpqs@dwp.gov.uk

Who should read

All Housing Benefit (HB) staff.

Action

For information.

Discretionary Housing Payments: Support for claimants living in a sanctuary scheme property

1. In HB bulletin LA Welfare Direct 4/2020 we informed you of the decision by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of JD and A.

2. This case was a challenge to the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy policy and the court found against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the Case of A who lives in a property adapted under the sanctuary scheme. The department is exploring next steps in relation to the court’s judgment.

3. Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) remain the appropriate means for providing support where there is an under-occupancy deduction because of a sanctuary room or sanctuary scheme.

4. Whilst the department recognises that it is ultimately a local authority’s (LAs) decision on whether or not to make an award, the department would encourage LAs to regard these claimants as a priority when considering applications for a DHP.

5. However, DHPs remain an important option for LAs to provide support to any vulnerable claimants who may be in need of additional financial help with housing costs.

6. In order to support LAs manage the allocation and administration of DHP awards, DWP provides a DHP guidance manual for LAs in England and Wales. The manual also includes a good practice guide, which offers both advice and examples of good practice in supporting those affected by some of these key welfare reforms.

7. The relevant section of the good practice guide is clear in its recommendations that LAs may wish to prioritise certain groups, to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported and the funds are targeted effectively.

Advance notice: Mid-year DHPs monitoring return

8. We are planning to issue the DHP mid-year monitoring form in early October’s LAWD bulletin and will be asking LAs to return information in respect of the mid financial year; in other words, 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2020. These returns continue to improve the department’s understanding of how DHPs are being used to support people affected by Welfare Reforms. Additionally, the returns will help us better understand the ongoing impacts of the pandemic on LAs and, therefore, will be asking for the forms to be returned by a shorter deadline than normal (15 October 2020 or before if possible).

9. Whilst completion of this return is voluntary, we would really appreciate all LAs input as the more information we receive the better.

10. If you have any queries you can contact dhp.monitoringinbox@dwp.gov.uk.

Housing Benefit flows data moving to Stat-Xplore only

11. As you may be aware, DWP publishes ‘experimental statistics’ on the number of claimants starting and stopping Housing Benefit (HB) claims by LA. This HB flows data is currently presented in a document on GOV.UK. However, from November 2020, DWP plans to publish the data on Stat-Xplore instead.

12. This change will improve the amount of data made available. Users will be able to create customised tables and charts covering a broader range of characteristics than just the LA which paid the HB and compare the flows data alongside the number of HB. This new flows data will date back to April 2018.

13. The new HB flows statistics will use the same methodology to identify and count on-flows and off-flows as before. 14. You can email stats-consultation@dwp.gov.uk if you have any comments or questions about this.