Guidance

A4/2023: Housing Benefit Award Accuracy Initiative for the financial year ending March 2024

Updated 4 January 2024

Who should read

All Housing Benefit (HB) staff

Action

For information

Subject

Housing Benefit Award Accuracy Initiative for the financial year ending March 2024.

Guidance manual

The information in this circular does not affect the content of the HB Guidance Manual.

Queries

You can get extra copies of this circular/copies of previous circulars

For queries about the technical content of this circular, contact: [email protected]

If you need to ask about the distribution of this circular, contact: [email protected]

Crown Copyright 2023

Recipients may freely reproduce this circular.

Introduction

1. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will continue to work with local authorities (LAs) to tackle fraud and error through the Housing Benefit Award Accuracy (HBAA) Initiative from 3 April 2023 onwards and has secured funding of approximately £10.9 million for the financial year ending (FYE) March 2024.

2. This circular sets out all the details of the HBAA Initiative for FYE March 2024. The funding is designed to support LAs undertaking the prescribed activities to proactively identify unreported changes and make sure the right amount of benefit is paid to the right person at the right time.

3. In consultation with LA representatives on the Practitioners’ Operational Group (POG), the Local Authority Partnership, Engagement and Delivery (LA-PED) division has agreed that participation should be in line with the Verify Earnings and Pensions (VEP) service. In other words, we shall assume that LAs will participate unless they provide exceptional reasons not to.

4. Examples of exceptional reasons/circumstances could include a cyber-attack, loss of IT or building.

5. An all LA call was held on 14 March 2023. A recording of this call can be found on Glasscubes (posted on 24 March 2023).

Background

6. The Spending Review of 2020 awarded DWP funding for a five-year period to support the baring down on HB Fraud and Error via the HBAA initiative.

7. The first two years of the programme were impacted by LAs capacity to deliver the Initiative because of the COVID-19 pandemic and consequently it was run on the basis of LAs ‘opting in’. However, the Initiative became mandatory for LAs to participate from year three onwards.

HBAA Initiative funding for FYE March 2024

8. The launch letter for FYE March 2024 (Year four) was sent to all LAs on 23 February 2023, providing details of DWP’s plans to continue focusing on improving award accuracy for HB with effect from 3 April 2023.

9. LAs participating in the initiative for FYE March 2024 will receive additional funding to enable them to undertake the following activities:

• HB Full Case Reviews (FCRs)

• HB Matching Service (HBMS) referrals, including:

  • Self-employed Earnings Reviews (SERs)

• the correct recording of all case information on LA IT systems. It is vital that LAs record case information accurately, including outcomes.

10. The frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Initiative have been shared with LAs and version 2 is available on Glasscubes in the HBAA Initiative folder. This will be updated shortly for FYE March 2024. LAs will be advised once this has happened.

11. Funding for FYE March 2024 was secured in the 2020 Spending Review. The settlement from HM Treasury included funding up to FYE March 2025. DWP has assured HM Treasury the funding will be used to pay for additional staff or to backfill for existing staff.

12. However, LAs are allowed some flexibility to spend the funding on relevant activities carried out in connection with administering the HBAA Initiative. This could include the purchase of software that will make the HBAA Initiative review process more effective. Any use of robotics solutions must be in line with DWP policy. LAs should refer to the letters from Paul Selby sent by email to LAs on 15 February and 3 June 2021.

13. LAs who choose to use part of the funding to purchase software should notify DWP at [email protected] as soon as possible with details of what has been purchased and the amount and/or percentage of funding used. This information is required to form a complete picture of LA performance and potentially to help identify and share process efficiencies.

14. LAs should note that if the option is taken to use funding for non-staffing solutions, full performance will need to be maintained.

Volumes and maximum funding amount payable to each participating LA

15. The volumes and funding amount payable to each LA is provided at Annex D. These amounts will be confirmed in an HB subsidy circular, and a single payment paid into LA bank accounts in April 2023.

16. LAs are asked to complete activities monthly leading to 100% completion of their funded activities by the end of the 12 months. Funding continues to be based on the same unit costs as previous years, so individual LA allocations should be broadly similar to FYE March 2023 volumes and funding:

• FCRs £21.43

• SERs £31.16

• HBMS £13.26

17. Do note that these unit costs are averages and we acknowledge that the complexities of some cases will mean that more time is needed to complete some reviews.

18. The FYE March 2024 national funding figure for FCR is relatively similar to the FYE March 2023 figure. This contrasts with the HBMS and SER funding figures which both decreased by 15% from the year before.

19. The decrease in funding is driven by the reduction in HB caseloads. The HBMS and SER caseloads decrease every year, but FCR caseloads stay constant as we select the top 400,000.

Performance management approach

Management information and performance

20. This is a summary of HBAA Initiative outcomes (Oct 2020 to March 2022 – Years 1 & 2)

Year 1 (Oct 20–Mar 21)

HBAA initiative	Number completed	% with overpayment	% with underpayment	% with change to entitlement
FCRs	88,800	26%	9%	34%
HBMS	21,800	16%	1%	16%
SERs	23,600	14%	4%	18%

Year 2 (Apr 21-Mar 22)

HBAA initiative	Number completed	% with overpayment	% with underpayment	% with change to entitlement
FCRs	177,000	28%	9%	37%
HBMS	43,600	16%	1%	16%
SERs	34,200	10%	2%	12%

Note: Number of completed reviews in the tables have been rounded

21. LA-PED division’s Performance Development Team (PDT) receives regular performance information on the Initiative’s activities. PDT monitors this information and engages directly with LAs where volumes of activities undertaken do not appear to be in line with funding expectations. PDT will also consider the quality of outcomes being achieved and would like to work with LAs to better understand the underlying factors that may be influencing variations in these outcomes.

22. PDT sends performance information letters to individual LAs, which include both volumes of activities and the outcomes declared (in other words, changes in benefit entitlement).  

23. It is for individual LAs to profile completion of their activities. However, for performance management purposes, the assumption will be that LAs will complete 100% of their funded activities, consistently month on month, over the 12-month duration of the Initiative.

24. PDT’s Performance Relationship Managers continue to undertake their routine regular calls with HB service managers within each LA. LAs should use this opportunity to discuss the HBAA Initiative and to provide details of their delivery plans.

25. Many LAs will also be aware that PDT offer a free professional consultancy support. If any LA wish to work with them on this, or any aspect of HB service delivery, they will assign someone to provide this support. LAs can contact PDT at [email protected]

Recovery of funds

26. DWP may have to seek the recovery of some or all the funding where after working with an LA over a period, performance improvement has not been realised or sufficient evidence of exceptional circumstances has not been provided. Examples of exceptional circumstances have been given in paragraph 4 of this circular.

HBAA Indicator scores

27. DWP temporarily paused the issue of the HBAA Indicator scores to allow LAs to concentrate on the Initiative. LA-PED plans to start issuing the HBAA Indicator scores in the near future and details will be notified to LAs in due course.

FCR activity

Definition of the FCR activity

28. An FCR requires the LA to look at and consider all the current claim details and evidence associated with the claim, as well as any other fresher information or evidence they can source for the weekly HB award to be reviewed.

29. We are not prescribing how LAs undertake these reviews. The key elements are that LAs should:

• review and validate whether the current information associated with the claim remains correct

• seek evidence from the claimant and or their representative, either face to face, over the phone, digitally or by post

• use all available data including digital (where appropriate), with the aim of identifying any changes of circumstances and recalculating a claimant’s HB award accordingly.

Targeted FCRs

30. From 3 April 2023, LAs will need to undertake FCRs on their share of the top 400,000 HB cases identified nationally by the HBAA risk score.

31. The risk model predicts the probability of an HB case having a change of circumstance and is a good predictor of the likelihood that a case has an unreported change of circumstances. It also predicts that LAs will get the greatest return on investment by reviewing high risk cases.

Data description

32. In January 2020 the ‘Risk Based’ caseload data LAs historically received with their HBMS referrals was decommissioned, whilst a new methodology was developed and tested.

33. From March 2020, all LAs started to receive their Caseload Risk Data as part of their monthly HBMS files delivered via Transfer Your Files. Each ‘live’ HB claim, informed by each LAs’ latest Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE) return, is assigned a ‘risk’ score, with claims ranked from highest risk to lowest risk in the report.

34. The top 400,000 cases attracting the highest risk scores are identified separately at a national level, apportioned, and then marked accordingly within each LA’s monthly data.

35. LAs are asked to undertake an FCR on at least the volume of cases funded, starting with those with the highest risk scores. Where the LA has already undertaken an FCR within the previous 12 months, the LA will need to determine the value of undertaking a further review on a case-by-case basis. If the LA chooses not to review the case again, they should move onto the next suitable case on their risk score list for consideration. (see paragraphs 47 to 53 ‘Skipping’ cases and deletion of non high-risk cases)

36. Where volumes of separately identified high risk cases are lower than expected (in other words, based on the resource funded to undertake FCR activity) then the LA should consider undertaking additional FCRs based on the next suitable case on their risk score list.

37. The Caseload Risk Data will be refreshed monthly. LAs are likely to see fluctuations in those cases marked as high risk due to a number of factors, such as changes in the live caseload, changes to HB claimants’ circumstances or seasonal factors built into the DWP risk model, which allocates the risk score.

38. LAs should note there is no expectation to action all cases scored as a high risk within the month the data is received. FCR case volumes should be profiled to be conducted over the operational year (end of FYE March 2024). Refreshed data will see changes each month to the volumes communicated.

Data delivery

39. LAs will recognise the Caseload Risk Data through the following file name AOBWR627_LAID_RISK.csv.

40. LAs will be expected to identify volumes of cases from the file each month and upload into their IT Systems to commence FCR intervention activity. LA IT software supplier guidance is available to support LAs in the uploading of cases in a format acceptable to your IT System.

41. The first download of data (HBMS File) in scope of FYE March 2024 activities was issued to LAs between the week commencing 6 March 2023 and the week commencing 27 March 2023 (weeks one to four of the HBMS data sharing cycle).

42. The final download of data (HBMS File) in scope of FYE March 2024 activities will be issued to LAs between week commencing 5 February 2024 and week commencing 26 February 2024 (weeks one to four of the HBMS data sharing cycle).

Supported accommodation (Specified exempt) and temporary accommodation HBAA Initiative guidance

43. The HBAA risk model predicts that supported accommodation and temporary accommodation cases are of a higher risk than the average HB case and are, therefore, more likely to have a change in a 12-month period.

44. LA-PED has listened to feedback from LAs who believe that the way in which they manage supported accommodation and temporary accommodation cases assists in identifying changes as they happen. Research confirms that although these types of cases are classified as high-risk, they may have low impact on benefit recalculation.

45. LAs do not need to default to supported accommodation and temporary accommodation cases for FCR purposes and can select from lower risk cases provided that LAs:

• are assured that the relationships with the supported accommodation and temporary accommodation providers are robust and that they share all necessary changes timeously

• have other processes in place to manage and capture all changes in relation to supported accommodation and temporary accommodation caseloads

• consider carrying out an FCR on individual supported accommodation and temporary accommodation cases where it would be appropriate to do so.

46. If an LA decides that they will not carry out FCRs on supported accommodation and temporary accommodation cases due to reasons listed above, we strongly recommend that a small sample of cases are chosen regularly to ensure systems and processes are effective in capturing changes.

‘Skipping’ cases and deletion of non high-risk cases

47. The risk model selects cases where there is a likelihood of a change occurring and not of an overpayment occurring.

48. See paragraph 28 for the FCR definition. Those LAs who participated in the Initiative for years one, two and three may have already reviewed some of the cases marked with a ‘Y’ as high risk.

49. If the same cases appear as high risk that have already been recently reviewed, in other words within past 12 months, LAs may move to cases further down the list. Where these are not marked with a ‘Y’ LAs should use local knowledge of their caseload to then select the most appropriate cases for review.

50. For LAs who are new to HBAA, the risk model should be followed to review the cases marked as high risk. LAs can then start skipping cases as described above when they are sure the cases marked as high risk have already been reviewed.

51. LAs do not necessarily have to delete all the cases without the ‘Y’ indicator (for high-risk cases) as per IT software supplier risk file loading instructions. As an example, if an IT software supplier loading instruction states:

• “Column N - You may want to remove records that do not have column N - top 400k equal to Y from the csv file. That way LAs can concentrate on these records. Then delete this column.”

• An LA may wish to ignore this or may need to look at cases without a ‘Y’ and by default a lower ‘risk rating’.

Filtering toolkit

52. Some LA IT software suppliers may already have provided functionality that assists LAs filtering cases where recent FCRs have been undertaken.

53. However, for LAs who need additional functionality filtering their cases, a bespoke excel spreadsheet with user instructions has been provided and uploaded to Glasscubes for the benefit of LAs. This can be found within each of the IT software supplier areas and in the HBAA folder in the LA Data Share (All LAs) area. The documents are:

• primary spreadsheet for HBAA reviews (Excel document)

• HBAA high risk spreadsheet – filtering procedure (Word document)

Actions for LAs in preparation for April 2023

54. Accurate MI recording is a vitally important part of the Initiative for all component parts (after actioning the FCRs, SERs and HBMS cases).

55. To support performance monitoring, it is important that LAs who receive funding for the FYE March 2024, fully and accurately record information in line with guidance on their IT systems, to enable capture of MI through SHBE for FCRs, SERs and HBMS referrals.

Setting the intervention

56. Set an intervention on your systems for all FCRs and HBMS/SER referrals. This will ensure the recording of an R Record (Fraud Intervention Record) within SHBE and the accurate collation of MI for the total HBAA case volumes undertaken by LAs.

57. FCR interventions should be identified by selecting ‘High Risk Score Case Referral from HBMS’ from the drop-down menu.

58. HBMS/SER interventions should be identified by selecting ‘HBMS Data Match Referral’ from the drop-down menu.

Recording the outcome

59. LAs should follow the guidance and use the new change source codes to record outcomes:

• LAs should be using FCR (SHBE code 21) from the dropdown and not LAINTREV [SHBE code 8]

• LAs should also be using HBMS (SHBE code 20) from the drop-down menu for HBMS referrals.

60. More details on the process for setting and recording outcomes within LA IT systems for all HBAA interventions is included within HBAA Initiative process guides, held within IT software supplier areas on Glasscubes.

61. For those LAs who participated in HBAA year three, the last date for input of an FCR/SER/HBMS intervention start date on their LA IT systems, to count towards year three performance will be the day prior to you taking a copy of your SHBE to be submitted to DWP during:

• SHBE Week one LAs – Week Commencing 27 February 2023

• SHBE Week two LAs – Week Commencing 6 March 2023

• SHBE Week three LAs – Week Commencing 13 March 2023

• SHBE Week four LAs – Week Commencing 20 March 2023

62. LAs should continue to follow-up and record outcomes for all interventions set up on their IT systems in line with details in Paragraph 61, to ensure all data is captured and reported for year three. It should be noted that DWP refreshes its data for two to three months after the March 2023 SHBE returns to ensure all information is captured.

63. LAs can monitor their own performance for Year four by using:

• SHBE returns which provide intervention starts and associated outcomes for both HBMS/SERs and FCRs. Noting that only interventions commenced after the day on which you took a copy of your March 2023 SHBE will count towards year four performance.

Management information – Accurate recording

64. Paragraph 9 explained that a key component of the HBAA Initiative is the correct recording of cases and the return of MI to DWP via SHBE.

65. There has been a strong collective focus between DWP and LAs on processes and the correct recording of information on front end LA IT Systems, during the FYE 2023, to ensure that the MI via SHBE, in support of FCR/SER/HBMS performance, is as accurate as possible.

66. LAs should continue to assure themselves that all activity is correctly recorded by all agents, so that the MI derived from SHBE by DWP provides an accurate account of their HBAA performance. This is important as the risks of inaccurate MI can result in understated performance and the clawing back of funds.

67. To assist LAs in this activity they should:

• ensure all staff actioning cases are familiar with the HBAA Initiative process guidance, adjudication circular and are compliant with the standards set

• read the IT software supplier guidance to ensure the right codes are being used in the right outcome circumstances – noting that HBMS/SER interventions must be set from the HBMS referral and not as stand-alone interventions

• engage DWPs Performance Relationship Managers and LA IT software suppliers where they are struggling with the accurate recording of HBMS/SER activity on their ‘front end’ IT systems and SHBE MI.

68. The actual SHBE fields DWP will be monitoring is:

Fraud and Error (F&E) detection activities record

• Field 171 - Date Fraud activity initiated

• Field 173

  • Record as Code 1 = High risk score referral from HBMS (Used for HBAA Full Case Reviews informed by Risk data)

  • Record as Code 2 = HBMS Data Match Referral (Used for HBAA HBMS/SER Referrals)

• Field 175 - Date Fraud and Error detection activity completed

• Field 176 - Outcome

• Field 320 - Unique T-record identifier

Change record

• Field 50 - Weekly HB entitlement before change

• Field 248 - New weekly HB entitlement after the change

• Field 251 - Date LA first notified of change in claim details

• Field 253 - Date change of details are effective from

• Field 254 - How was the change identified?

  • Record as Code 21 = Full Case Review (Used for HBAA Full Case Reviews informed by Risk data
  • Record as Code 20 = HBMS (Used for HBAA HBMS/SER referrals)

These are new options on the LA IT ‘front end’ drop down menu.

• Field 255 - Date supersession decision was made on the HB claim

• Field 320 - Unique T-record identifier

Error record

• Field 264 - Weekly HB underpayment

• Field 265 - Total HB underpayment

• Field 320 - Unique T-record identifier

• Field 337 - Total HB overpayment

• Field 338 - Weekly HB overpayment

• Field 339 - Start date of payment error period

• Field 340 - End date of payment error period

• Field 341 - What was the cause of the overpayment

69. It is imperative that LAs are compliant with their IT supplier guidance in recording information both fully and accurately on the front-end IT Systems for activity relating to:

• fraud and error detection

• change

• error

70. These data fields will feed the SHBE fields against which DWP will extract MI as detailed above.

71. It is essential that LAs put processes in place to ensure compliance in the accurate recording of FCR and HBMS/SER information on front end IT Systems, which in turn is captured via SHBE to inform DWP MI reports. Failure to comply will impact both LA’s and DWP’s ability to effectively monitor performance and result in potentially unproductive engagement with your LA by PDT.

72. LAs should engage with their LA IT supplier where they have any queries about their LA IT supplier guidance to make sure they are recording all required MI correctly.

73. Specifically, LAs should ensure that:

• FCR ‘Reason for Fraud and Error Detection Activity’ is captured as ‘Code 1 – High risk score referral from HBMS’ (SHBE Field 173)

• HBMS/SER Reason for Fraud and Error Activity is captured as ‘Code 2 - HBMS Data Match Referral’ (SHBE Field 173)

74. LAs must not use ‘Code 1 = High risk score referral from HBMS’ to identify the setting up of any other fraud detection activity, not directly attributed with the new Caseload Risk Data or Code 2 = HBMS Data Match Referral to identify the setting up of fraud detection activity, not directly attributed with HBMS/SER referrals. This is to avoid the corruption of data extracted by DWP from SHBE to monitor LA performance.

75. Similarly, when recording the source of a Full Case Review’s change in circumstances (Field 254) LAs should identify via Code 21 Full Case Review. This is a new option on the dropdown menu and supersedes the setting of Code 8 LA Intervention Review. When recording of the source of a HBMS/SER change in circumstances (Field 254) LAs should identify via Code 20 HBMS.

76. The SHBE timetable of returns for FYE March 2024 is provided at Annex C.

HBMS referrals, including SERs

Data description

77. LAs already receive HBMS referrals monthly. All HBMS referrals issued to participating LAs need to be actioned. In addition to the 4 self-assessment income business rules, there are 23 other rules (27 rules in total). A list of the rules can be found at Annex B. Additional information on the rules can also be found by accessing the HBMS Rules Guide, which is available on Glasscubes.

78. The self-employed data consists of four HBMS business rules, as follows:

• HBSA002: a separate business rule which identifies non declared self- employed earnings under £10,000

• HBSA003: highlighting potential discrepancies between earnings declared by the HB claimant/partner to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and LA IT Systems (potential overpayments)

• HBSA004: highlighting potential discrepancies between earnings declared by the HB claimant/partner to HMRC and LA IT Systems (potential underpayments)

• HBHB405: identifies cases where no change has been made to self-employed earnings notified to the LA within the last 12 months.

79. It should be noted that cases of non-declared earnings that exceed £10,000 are identified and submitted direct to DWP Fraud Investigations for considered action. LAs do not receive these referrals.

80. In April 2023, HBSA002, HBSA003 and HBSA004 rules will be updated to match data against the tax year 2021 to 2022. Details of this change will be notified to LAs via the LA Welfare Direct bulletin.

Data description

81. During FYE March 2024, each LA will continue to receive the HBMS referrals (including SERs) as part of their monthly HBMS suite of rules.

82. The first download of data in scope of FYE March 2024 activities was issued to LAs between week commencing 6 March 2023 (Week 1 of HBMS data sharing cycle) to week commencing 27 March 2023 (Week 4 of HBMS data sharing cycle).

83. The final download of data in scope for FYE March 2024 activities will be issued to LAs between week commencing 5 February 2024 (Week 1 of HBMS data sharing cycle) and week commencing 26 February 2024 (Week 4 of HBMS data sharing cycle).

84. This will constitute 12 monthly downloads of data and will form the baseline referral volumes against which HBMS activity will be monitored.

Additional HBMS fraud intervention MI

85. There are also additional HBMS MI fraud intervention requirements supported and captured by front end IT Systems, which populate the following SHBE Fields:

86. Fraud and Error detection activities record:

• Field 316 – If activity resolves an HBMS referral provide the RMS number. Annex A provides guidance on which codes to utilise

• Field 317 – HBMS Rule ID

• Field 318 – Date of HBMS Match

• Field 319 – If resolution of HBMS referral does not result in a financial adjustment, please indicate the reason why.

87. Again, it is essential that LAs familiarise themselves with ‘front end’ IT fields that require completion, to ensure this information is correctly recorded and captured for reporting purposes.

88. A key aspect of the initiative linked to receipt of funding is that LAs comply with the correct recording of cases and the return of MI to DWP.

89. LAs should refer to the HBMS Rules Guide available on Glasscubes, which has been revised to better support the accurate completion and submission of HBMS MI spreadsheet returns.

HBAA Initiative funding allocations methodology and estimated volumes

FCR allocation methodology

90. There will be around 400,000 FCRs conducted over an annual period, nationwide. DWP has secured funding on this basis, using a unit cost of £21.43 per review. Each LA has been allocated funding based on the average number of their caseload that appears in the top 400,000 cases nationally in the period January to December 2022.

FCR volumes and funding

91. Funding was calculated for each LA separately and is based on an expected volume of FCRs. These can be scheduled throughout the financial year. However, it is expected that they should be as evenly spread as possible throughout the year.

92. The national number of high-risk FCRs we are asking LAs to conduct in FYE March 2024 (year four) is approximately 400,000; this is the same number as in FYE March 2023. However, please note that there may be differences for individual LAs’ annual allocation of FCRs between FYE March 2023 and FYE March 2024. This will be as a result of any changes in an LA’s caseload composition over the last year that we observed on SHBE.

93. Also note that the national number of HBMS and self-employed review (SER) matches in FYE March 2024 will decrease by 15% compared with the year before. This decrease is driven by the reduction in HB caseloads. And as with FCRs, please note that changes in any specific LA’s HBMS and SERs allocation will depend on local changes in each LA’s caseload mix.

FCR unit costs calculation

94. The unit costs of £21.43 is based on an FCR taking 57 minutes. This average was derived from the FCR pilot involving 16 LAs. LAs taking part reported an average duration of 24 minutes as the time taken to conduct an FCR. However, there was a lot of variation depending on the complexity of the case. LA-PED consulted with several LAs and agreed to increase the unit cost to £21.43 (57 minutes) to account for complex cases and the cost of HB debt collection, appeals and any supporting clerical administration.

95. The risk model used to calculate the risk associated with an HB case has a seasonal element and as such there will be some months when you have a much higher or lower number of cases in the top 400,000. As stated previously, we encourage LAs to spread the full case review work over the course of the year and not allow cases to build up towards the end of the year.

HBMS referrals allocation methodology

96. The total funding for completion of all HBMS referrals (not including SERs – see below for separate detail) was determined by calculating the cost of actioning all referrals issued in FYE March 2019, and adjusting this, using forecasts for FYE March 2022. The unit cost is £13.26.

97. The funding allocation for each LA has been determined by calculating the percentage of the national caseload accounts for (as of October 2022) and applying this percentage to the total funding pot.

98. It has been calculated on this basis so that those LAs who already manage the accuracy of their HB caseload are not losing out.

SER allocation methodology and funding

99. As opposed to the other HBMS referrals, the total funding for the SERs was based on the forecasted self-employed caseload for April 2022, using a unit cost per review of £31.16.

100. The funding allocation for each LA has been determined by calculating the percentage of the national self-employed caseload that their self-employed caseload accounts for (as of October 2022) and applying this percentage to the total funding pot.

101. It has been calculated on this basis so that those LAs who are already proactive in reviewing their self-employed caseload do not lose out.

SER volumes

102. The volumes of SER referrals are expected to reduce throughout FYE March 2023 as cases move to Universal Credit or have a change of circumstance.

103. If an LA believes the volume of SER referrals (Annex D) is not an accurate reflection of the volume of self-employed cases for their authority, they will need to ensure that all self-employed cases are accurately recorded on their HB IT system and ultimately SHBE, so that funding can be more accurately allocated in future years.

104. The total funding allocation is lower than that issued in 2022 as it is based on the forecasted self-employed caseload for FYE March 2024.

105. The unit costs of £31.16 is based on a review length of 82 minutes. This is the same amount as previously provided for the SER in 2019 and includes an element for overpayment recovery action and accounts for the complexity of the work and any supporting clerical administration.

Other fraud and error activities

106. Other business as usual Fraud and Error activity should continue as normal.

Annex A - HBMS codes

The following list should be used to decide which result code should be selected for a HBMS referral outcome where it has identified there has been no under or over payment made to the HB claim.

The purpose of these HBMS result codes are for MI only and using the codes does not influence the generation of HBMS referrals.

It is impossible for DWP to devise a code to cover every single activity that could be carried out during a live claim. LAs are advised to select the code that best describes the circumstances.

Code 1 - Duplicate Referral

This code should be selected if more than referral has been received for the same claimant.

• This could include more than one referral under the same HBMS rule or

• It could be used if more than one HBMS referral is received under different HBMS rules but for the same claimant. It is expected that all the HBMS referrals should be actioned but could be recorded within one activity and the remainder of the referrals could be recorded as duplicate.

Code 2 - Changes due to Universal Credit

Any changes made to a HB due to a claim of Universal Credit.

Code 3 - Retrospective Change

In between the date of the DWP HBMS data match and the DWP issuing the referral, a change of circumstances has been reported by the claimant and the referral has already been actioned by the LA.

Code 4 - Backlog of Work

Although the LA was aware of information in relation to a HB claim that would generate an HBMS referral, the LA has not had time to start their action prior to the HBMS referral being issued.

Code 4E - IS/JSA Clerical Case

Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance has been paid or is currently being paid clerically.

Code 4Z - Case already under investigation prior to receiving the HBMS data match

The LA was already investigating the information that generated the HBMS referral prior to it being received.

Code 6 - Unable to trace Occupational Pension

No Occupational Pension payments could be traced for the claimant (to be used on the Occupational Pension rules only).

Code 6F - Lump Sum Payment

The claimant has received a lump sum payment as part of their Occupational Pension (to be used on the Occupational Pension rules only).

Code 6G - Claimant Deceased

The claimant has died, and no overpayment has been created.

Code 6Z - LA Error

Incorrect information was processed as part of a HB claim that resulted in an HBMS referral being issued (LAs must correct the error to prevent further referrals being generated).

Code 7 - Terminated Claim

Should be used upon the closure of a HB claim.

Code 8

Non dependant still applicable.

Code 11 - Still below applicable amount / No affect to benefit

The discrepancy was highlighted by the HBMS referral but once corrected the change had no effect on the amount of HB in payment.

Code 12 - LA Data Error

An HBMS referral has been generated due to an error found within the LA IT system.

Code 13 - HBMS User Error

This code should be used when no other codes are suitable.

Code 14 - DWP / External Data Source Error

The HBMS referral has been generated because of incorrect data outside of DWP or an LA. This could include: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) or Prison Service.

Code 15 - Temporary Absence

The claimant was previously or is currently temporarily absent from the HB address and does intend to return.

Code 16 - Claimant Vacated

The claimant no longer lives in the property where HB is being claimed and can no longer be contacted, therefore the LA has closed the HB claim.

Code 17 - HB address correct

The LA is satisfied that the address they hold for the claimant is correct.

Annex B - HBMS Self-employed Earnings rules

HBHB40

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) claims where the amount of self-assessed earning declared to HB for the HB Customer and/or Partner has not changed for a period of 12 months

HBSA002

This rule is designed to identify a Housing Benefit (HB) customer and/or partner with undeclared Self Assessed (SA) earnings which are less than £10,000 per annum.

HBSA003

This rule is designed to identify HB claimants and/or partners who have declared self-employed earnings which differs from Self-Assessed declarations and result in a potential overpayment of HB.

HBSA004

This rule is designed to identify HB claimants and/or partners who have declared self-employed earnings which differs from Self-Assessed declarations and result in a potential underpayment of HB.

HBMS rules

HBDB101

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) Customers or Partners who have failed to declare that they are in receipt of Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit (IIDB).

HBES105

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) for customer or partners who have stated they are in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income Related (IR) but there is no match within the ESA system.

HBHB001

This rule is designed to identify concurrent claims to Housing Benefit (HB) by the same person within one Local Authority.

HBHB403

This rule is designed to identify HB/CTB cases with no change to Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit in the last 13 months

HBHB501

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) claims showing a dependant aged 19 and over.

HBHB911

This rule is designed to identify concurrent claims to Housing Benefit (HB) by the same person as a customer at two different LAs.

HBIB005

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) customers who have failed to notify the Local Authority of a change of address (within the UK) using PSCS data.

HBIC201

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) customers or partners who have failed to declare that they are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance (CA).

HB1C202

To identify Housing Benefit claims with a Severe Disability Premium in payment where the customer and/or partner are being cared for on a live Carers Allowance claim. 

HBIS005

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) customers who have failed to notify the Local Authority of a change of address.

HBIS105

This rule is designed to identify claims to Housing Benefit (HB) made on the basis that Income Support (IS) is in payment, but no current entitlement to this benefit exists.

HBJS055

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) customers who have failed to notify the Local Authority of a change of address.

HBJS105

This rule is designed to identify claims to Housing Benefit (HB) made on the basis the Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) Income Based (IB) is in payment but no current entitlement to the benefit exists.

HBPC005

This rule is designed to identify a Housing Benefit (HB) for customer or partners (if applicable) falsely declaring that Pension Credit (PC) is in payment.

HBRM101

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) customers who have failed to declare a change of address

HBRP103

This rule is designed to identify customers or partners who fail to declare receipt of Retirement Pension (RP) to Housing Benefit (HB).

HBJS212

This rule is designed to identify fraudulent HB claims made on the basis that JSA [C] is in payment.

HBPD001

This rule is designed to identify customers in an English or Welsh prison who have been or are going to be in prison for 13 weeks or more.

HBSP001

This rule is designed to identify customers in a Scottish prison who have been or are going to be in prison for 13 weeks or more.

HBBB001

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) Customers who have failed to declare payment of a Bereavement Benefit (BB).

HBIN004

This rule is designed to identify failure to notify the Local Authority of the death of a customer.

HBUC007

This rule is designed to identify where Universal Credit Housing Costs and Housing Benefits are in payment at the same time.

HBES055

This rule is designed to identify Housing Benefit (HB) Customers who have failed to notify the Local Authority of a change of address.

Annex C - SHBE timetable

Breaks
End of year	Week commencing 27 March 2023
Spring	Week commencing 29 May 2023
Christmas	Week commencing 18 and 25 December 2023

Week number	Day of transfer	Relevant month	Earliest data extraction date	Data Transfer Date	LA name	LA number
Week 1	Monday	Apr-23	27/03/2023	03/04/2023	Halton	10605
		May-23	25/04/2023	02/05/2023	Cheshire East	10609
		Jun-23	29/05/2023	05/06/2023	Cheshire West and Chester	10610
		Jul-23	26/06/2023	03/07/2023	Blackpool	12302
		Aug-23	24/07/2023	31/07/2023	Chorley	12304
		Sep-23	22/08/2023	29/08/2023	Fylde	12305
		Oct-23	18/09/2023	25/09/2023	Hyndburn	12306
		Nov-23	16/10/2023	23/10/2023	Lancaster	12307
		Dec-23	13/11/2023	20/11/2023	Preston	12309
		Jan-24	26/12/2023	02/01/2024	Bolton	20101
		Feb-24	22/01/2024	29/01/2024	Bury	20102
		Mar-24	19/02/2024	26/02/2024	Knowsley	20201
					Liverpool	20202
13
Week 1	Tuesday	Apr-23	28/03/2023	04/04/2023	Warrington	10608
		May-23	25/04/2023	02/05/2023	Allerdale	10901
		Jun-23	30/05/2023	06/06/2023	Carlisle	10903
		Jul-23	27/06/2023	04/07/2023	Copeland	10904
		Aug-23	25/07/2023	01/08/2023	Blackburn	12301
		Sep-23	22/08/2023	29/08/2023	Ribble Valley	12310
		Oct-23	19/09/2023	26/09/2023	Rossendale	12311
		Nov-23	17/10/2023	24/10/2023	South Ribble	12312
		Dec-23	14/11/2023	21/11/2023	West Lancashire	12313
		Jan-24	26/12/2023	02/01/2024	Wyre	12314
		Feb-24	23/01/2024	30/01/2024	Oldham	20104
		Mar-24	20/02/2024	27/02/2024	Rochdale	20105
					Salford	20106
					Stockport	20107
					Tameside	20108
					Trafford	20109
					Wigan	20110
					St Helens	20203
					Sefton	20204
19
Week 1	Wednesday	Apr-23	29/03/2023	05/04/2023	Hart	11706
		May-23	26/04/2023	03/05/2023	Havant	11707
		Jun-23	31/05/2023	07/06/2023	Broxbourne	11901
		Jul-23	28/06/2023	05/07/2023	Welwyn Hatfield	11910
		Aug-23	26/07/2023	02/08/2023	Burnley	12303
		Sep-23	23/08/2023	30/08/2023	Charnwood	12402
		Oct-23	20/09/2023	27/09/2023	South Oxfordshire	13103
		Nov-23	18/10/2023	25/10/2023	Vale of White Horse	13104
		Dec-23	15/11/2023	22/11/2023	Mendip	13301
		Jan-24	27/12/2023	03/01/2024	Swindon	13904
		Feb-24	24/01/2024	31/01/2024	Sheffield	20304
		Mar-24	21/02/2024	28/02/2024	Coventry	20502
					London (City Of)	30101
					Camden	40101
					Hackney	40103
					Hammersmith and Fulham	40104
					Islington	40105
					Lambeth	40107
					Lewisham	40108
					Southwark	40109
					Westminster	40112
					Barking and Dagenham	50101
					Barnet	50102
					Bexley	50103
					Brent	50104
					Bromley	50105
					Ealing	50107
					Enfield	50108
28
Week 1	Thursday	Apr-23	30/03/2023	06/04/2023	Manchester	20103
		May-23	27/04/2023	04/05/2023	Sandwell	20504
		Jun-23	01/06/2023	08/06/2023	Greenwich	40102
		Jul-23	29/06/2023	06/07/2023	Kensington and Chelsea	40106
		Aug-23	27/07/2023	03/08/2023	Tower Hamlets	40110
		Sep-23	24/08/2023	31/08/2023	Croydon	50106
		Oct-23	21/09/2023	28/09/2023	Haringey	50109
		Nov-23	19/10/2023	26/10/2023	Harrow	50110
		Dec-23	16/11/2023	23/11/2023	Hillingdon	50112
		Jan-24	28/12/2023	04/01/2024	Kingston upon Thames	50114
		Feb-24	25/01/2024	01/02/2024	Merton	50115
		Mar-24	22/02/2024	29/02/2024	Newham	50116
					Redbridge	50117
					Richmond upon Thames	50118
					Sutton	50119
15	75
Week 2	Monday	Apr-23	04/04/2023	11/04/2023	Eden	10905
		May-23	02/05/2023	09/05/2023	South Lakeland	10906
		Jun-23	05/06/2023	12/06/2023	Plymouth	11105
		Jul-23	03/07/2023	10/07/2023	East Riding of Yorkshire	17001
		Aug-23	31/07/2023	07/08/2023	Kingston upon Hull	17002
		Sep-23	28/08/2023	04/09/2023	Barnsley	20301
		Oct-23	25/09/2023	02/10/2023	Doncaster	20302
		Nov-23	23/10/2023	30/10/2023	Rotherham	20303
		Dec-23	20/11/2023	27/11/2023	South Tyneside	20404
		Jan-24	01/01/2024	08/01/2024	Sunderland	20405
		Feb-24	29/01/2024	05/02/2024	Bradford	20601
		Mar-24	26/02/2024	04/03/2024	Calderdale	20602
					Kirklees	20603
					Havering	50111
14
Week 2	Tuesday	Apr-23	04/04/2023	11/04/2023	Darlington	11302
		May-23	02/05/2023	09/05/2023	Northumberland	12807
		Jun-23	06/06/2023	13/06/2023	Hartlepool	15701
		Jul-23	04/07/2023	11/07/2023	Middlesbrough	15702
		Aug-23	01/08/2023	08/08/2023	Stockton-on-Tees	15704
		Sep-23	29/08/2023	05/09/2023	North East Lincolnshire	17003
		Oct-23	26/09/2023	03/10/2023	North Lincolnshire	17004
		Nov-23	24/10/2023	31/10/2023	Craven	17901
		Dec-23	21/11/2023	28/11/2023	Hambleton	17902
		Jan-24	02/01/2024	09/01/2024	Harrogate	17903
		Feb-24	30/01/2024	06/02/2024	Richmondshire	17904
		Mar-24	27/02/2024	05/03/2024	Ryedale	17905
					Scarborough	17906
					Selby	17907
					York	17908
					Newcastle-upon-Tyne	20402
					North Tyneside	20403
					Dudley	20503
					Leeds	20604
					Wakefield	20605
20
Week 2	Wednesday	Apr-23	05/04/2023	12/04/2023	Luton	10201
		May-23	03/05/2023	10/05/2023	Bedford	10203
		Jun-23	07/06/2023	14/06/2023	Central Bedfordshire	10205
		Jul-23	05/07/2023	12/07/2023	Milton Keynes	10403
		Aug-23	02/08/2023	09/08/2023	Buckinghamshire	10406
		Sep-23	30/08/2023	06/09/2023	Durham	11309
		Oct-23	27/09/2023	04/10/2023	Colchester	11506
		Nov-23	25/10/2023	01/11/2023	Cheltenham	11601
		Dec-23	22/11/2023	29/11/2023	Cotswold	11602
		Jan-24	03/01/2024	10/01/2024	Forest of Dean	11603
		Feb-24	31/01/2024	07/02/2024	Gloucester	11604
		Mar-24	28/02/2024	06/03/2024	Stroud	11605
					Tewkesbury	11606
					Basingstoke and Deane	11701
					Dacorum	11902
					Hertsmere	11904
					St Albans	11906
					Stevenage	11907
					Oxford	13102
					West Oxfordshire	13105
					Wiltshire	13906
					Gateshead	20401
22
Week 2	Thursday	Apr-23	06/04/2023	13/04/2023	West Berkshire	10302
		May-23	04/05/2023	11/05/2023	Reading	10303
		Jun-23	08/06/2023	15/06/2023	Windsor and Maidenhead	10305
		Jul-23	06/07/2023	13/07/2023	Wokingham	10306
		Aug-23	03/08/2023	10/08/2023	Barrow-in-Furness	10902
		Sep-23	31/08/2023	07/09/2023	East Hampshire	11702
		Oct-23	28/09/2023	05/10/2023	Eastleigh	11703
		Nov-23	26/10/2023	02/11/2023	Fareham	11704
		Dec-23	23/11/2023	30/11/2023	Gosport	11705
		Jan-24	04/01/2024	11/01/2024	New Forest	11708
		Feb-24	01/02/2024	08/02/2024	Portsmouth	11709
		Mar-24	29/02/2024	07/03/2024	Rushmoor	11710
					Southampton	11711
					Test Valley	11712
					Winchester	11713
					Isle of Wight	12103
					Elmbridge	13601
					Epsom and Ewell	13602
					Guildford	13603
					Mole Valley	13604
					Reigate and Banstead	13605
					Runnymede	13606
					Spelthorne	13607
					Surrey Heath	13608
					Tandridge	13609
					Waverley	13610
					Woking	13611
					Redcar and Cleveland	15703
					Solihull	20505
					Waltham Forest	50120
30	86
Week 3	Monday	Apr-23	10/04/2023	17/04/2023	Slough	10304
		May-23	08/05/2023	15/05/2023	Cornwall	10807
		Jun-23	12/06/2023	19/06/2023	East Devon	11101
		Jul-23	10/07/2023	17/07/2023	Exeter	11102
		Aug-23	07/08/2023	14/08/2023	North Devon	11104
		Sep-23	04/09/2023	11/09/2023	Bournemouth	11201
		Oct-23	02/10/2023	09/10/2023	Christchurch	11202
		Nov-23	30/10/2023	06/11/2023	Poole	11204
		Dec-23	27/11/2023	04/12/2023	Dorset	11210
		Jan-24	08/01/2024	15/01/2024	Three Rivers	11908
		Feb-24	05/02/2024	12/02/2024	Watford	11909
		Mar-24	04/03/2024	11/03/2024
11
Week 3	Tuesday	Apr-23	11/04/2023	18/04/2023	Bracknell Forest	10301
		May-23	09/05/2023	16/05/2023	South Hams	11106
		Jun-23	13/06/2023	20/06/2023	Teignbridge	11107
		Jul-23	11/07/2023	18/07/2023	Torbay	11108
		Aug-23	08/08/2023	15/08/2023	Torridge	11109
		Sep-23	05/09/2023	12/09/2023	West Devon	11110
		Oct-23	03/10/2023	10/10/2023	East Hertfordshire	11903
		Nov-23	31/10/2023	07/11/2023	Sedgemoor	13302
		Dec-23	28/11/2023	05/12/2023	South Somerset	13305
		Jan-24	09/01/2024	16/01/2024	Somerset West and Taunton	13306
		Feb-24	06/02/2024	13/02/2024	Stafford	13406
		Mar-24	05/03/2024	12/03/2024	Bath and North East Somerset	15101
					South Gloucestershire	15104
					Dartford	16103
					Sevenoaks	16108
					Thanet	16111
					Herefordshire	18102
					Wirral	20205
					Wandsworth	40111
19
Week 3	Wednesday	Apr-23	12/04/2023	19/04/2023	Mid Devon	11103
		May-23	10/05/2023	17/05/2023	North Hertfordshire	11905
		Jun-23	14/06/2023	21/06/2023	Telford and Wrekin	13206
		Jul-23	12/07/2023	19/07/2023	Shropshire	13207
		Aug-23	09/08/2023	16/08/2023	South Staffordshire	13405
		Sep-23	06/09/2023	13/09/2023	North Warwickshire	13701
		Oct-23	04/10/2023	11/10/2023	Nuneaton and Bedworth	13702
		Nov-23	01/11/2023	08/11/2023	Rugby	13703
		Dec-23	29/11/2023	06/12/2023	Stratford-upon-Avon	13704
		Jan-24	10/01/2024	17/01/2024	Warwick	13705
		Feb-24	07/02/2024	14/02/2024	Bristol	15102
		Mar-24	06/03/2024	13/03/2024	Malvern Hills	18103
					Worcester	18105
					Wychavon	18106
					Wyre Forest	18107
					Birmingham	20501
					Walsall	20506
					Wolverhampton	20507
					East Dunbartonshire	101802
					Dundee	101902
20
Week 3	Thursday	Apr-23	13/04/2023	20/04/2023	Pendle	12308
		May-23	11/05/2023	18/05/2023	Bromsgrove	18101
		Jun-23	15/06/2023	22/06/2023	Redditch	18104
		Jul-23	13/07/2023	20/07/2023	Hounslow	50113
		Aug-23	10/08/2023	17/08/2023	Orkney Islands	90101
		Sep-23	07/09/2023	14/09/2023	Shetland Islands	90102
		Oct-23	05/10/2023	12/10/2023	Western Isles (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar)	90103
		Nov-23	02/11/2023	09/11/2023	Scottish Borders	101101
		Dec-23	30/11/2023	07/12/2023	Clackmannanshire	101201
		Jan-24	11/01/2024	18/01/2024	Falkirk	101202
		Feb-24	08/02/2024	15/02/2024	Stirling	101203
		Mar-24	07/03/2024	14/03/2024	Dumfries and Galloway	101301
					Fife	101401
					Aberdeen	101501
					Aberdeenshire	101502
					Moray	101503
					Highland	101601
					Edinburgh	101701
					East Lothian	101702
					Midlothian	101703
					West Lothian	101704
					Argyll and Bute	101801
					West Dunbartonshire	101803
					South Lanarkshire	101804
					North Lanarkshire	101805
					East Ayrshire	101806
					North Ayrshire	101807
					East Renfrewshire	101808
					Glasgow	101809
					Inverclyde	101810
					South Ayrshire	101811
					Renfrewshire	101812
					Angus	101901
					Perth and Kinross	101903
34	84
Week 4	Monday	Apr-23	17/04/2023	24/04/2023	Oadby and Wigston	12408
		May-23	15/05/2023	22/05/2023	Arun	13802
		Jun-23	19/06/2023	26/06/2023	Chichester	13803
		Jul-23	17/07/2023	24/07/2023	Crawley	13804
		Aug-23	14/08/2023	21/08/2023	Brighton and Hove	14101
		Sep-23	11/09/2023	18/09/2023	Eastbourne	14102
		Oct-23	09/10/2023	16/10/2023	Lewes	14104
		Nov-23	06/11/2023	13/11/2023	Ashford	16101
		Dec-23	04/12/2023	11/12/2023	Canterbury	16102
		Jan-24	15/01/2024	22/01/2024	Dover	16104
		Feb-24	12/02/2024	19/02/2024	Conwy	71101
		Mar-24	11/03/2024	18/03/2024	Gwynedd	71102
					Denbighshire	71103
					Flintshire	71104
					Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Mon)	71106
					Ceredigion	71201
					Carmarthenshire	71202
					Pembrokeshire	71203
					Powys	71204
					Bridgend	71301
					Neath Port Talbot	71302
					Rhondda Cynon Taff	71303
					Swansea	71304
					Blaenau Gwent	71401
					Caerphilly	71402
					Merthyr Tydfil	71404
					Monmouthshire	71405
					Newport	71406
					Torfaen	71407
30
Week 4	Tuesday	Apr-23	18/04/2023	25/04/2023	Amber Valley	11001
		May-23	16/05/2023	23/05/2023	Bolsover	11002
		Jun-23	20/06/2023	27/06/2023	Chesterfield	11003
		Jul-23	18/07/2023	25/07/2023	Derby	11004
		Aug-23	15/08/2023	22/08/2023	Erewash	11005
		Sep-23	12/09/2023	19/09/2023	North East Derbyshire	11007
		Oct-23	10/10/2023	17/10/2023	Derbyshire Dales	11009
		Nov-23	07/11/2023	14/11/2023	Blaby	12401
		Dec-23	05/12/2023	12/12/2023	Ashfield	13001
		Jan-24	16/01/2024	23/01/2024	Bassetlaw	13002
		Feb-24	13/02/2024	20/02/2024	Broxtowe	13003
		Mar-24	12/03/2024	19/03/2024	Cannock Chase	13401
					East Staffordshire	13402
					Adur	13801
					Horsham	13805
					Mid Sussex	13806
					Worthing	13807
					Hastings	14103
					Rother	14105
					Wealden	14106
					Gravesham	16105
					Maidstone	16106
					Medway	16107
					Folkestone and Hythe	16109
					Swale	16110
					Tonbridge and Malling	16112
					Tunbridge Wells	16113
					Vale of Glamorgan	71305
					Cardiff	71403
28
Week 4	Wednesday	Apr-23	19/04/2023	26/04/2023	East Cambridgeshire	10502
		May-23	17/05/2023	24/05/2023	High Peak	11006
		Jun-23	21/06/2023	28/06/2023	South Derbyshire	11008
		Jul-23	19/07/2023	26/07/2023	Basildon	11501
		Aug-23	16/08/2023	23/08/2023	Brentwood	11503
		Sep-23	13/09/2023	20/09/2023	Thurrock	11513
		Oct-23	11/10/2023	18/10/2023	Harborough	12403
		Nov-23	08/11/2023	15/11/2023	Hinckley and Bosworth	12404
		Dec-23	06/12/2023	13/12/2023	Leicester	12405
		Jan-24	17/01/2024	24/01/2024	Melton	12406
		Feb-24	14/02/2024	21/02/2024	North West Leicester	12407
		Mar-24	13/03/2024	20/03/2024	Rutland	12409
					Brecklands	12601
					Broadland	12602
					Corby	12701
					Daventry	12702
					East Northamptonshire	12703
					Kettering	12704
					Northampton	12705
					South Northamptonshire	12706
					Wellingborough	12707
					Gedling	13004
					Mansfield	13005
					Newark and Sherwood	13006
					Nottingham	13007
					Rushcliffe	13008
					Cherwell	13101
					Lichfield	13403
					Newcastle-under-Lyme	13404
					Staffordshire Moorlands	13407
					Stoke-on-Trent	13408
					Tamworth	13409
					West Suffolk	13508
					Wrexham	71105
34
Week 4	Thursday	Apr-23	20/04/2023	27/04/2023	Cambridge	10501
		May-23	18/05/2023	25/05/2023	Fenland	10503
		Jun-23	22/06/2023	29/06/2023	Huntingdonshire	10504
		Jul-23	20/07/2023	27/07/2023	Peterborough	10505
		Aug-23	17/08/2023	24/08/2023	South Cambridge	10506
		Sep-23	14/09/2023	21/09/2023	Braintree	11502
		Oct-23	12/10/2023	19/10/2023	Castle Point	11504
		Nov-23	09/11/2023	16/11/2023	Chelmsford	11505
		Dec-23	07/12/2023	14/12/2023	Epping Forest	11507
		Jan-24	18/01/2024	25/01/2024	Harlow	11508
		Feb-24	15/02/2024	22/02/2024	Maldon	11509
		Mar-24	14/03/2024	21/03/2024	Rochford	11510
					Southend-on-Sea	11511
					Tendring	11512
					Uttlesford	11514
					Boston	12501
					East Lindsey	12502
					Lincoln	12503
					North Kesteven	12504
					South Holland	12505
					South Kesteven	12506
					West Lindsey	12507
					Great Yarmouth	12603
					West Norfolk and Kings Lynn	12604
					North Norfolk	12605
					Norwich	12606
					South Norfolk	12607
					Babergh	13501
					Ipswich	13503
					Mid Suffolk	13504
					East Suffolk	13509
					North Somerset	15103
32	124
	369

Annex D - HBAA Initiative activity volumes and indicative funding for FYE March 2024 (from 3 April 2023)

LA	FCR Volumes	SER Volumes	HBMS volumes	Maximum funding
Aberdeen City Council	738	54	166	£19,702.82
Aberdeenshire Council	374	38	112	£10,699.32
Adur District Council	316	53	40	££8,955.27
Amber Valley Borough Council	542	35	79	£13,752.80
Angus Council	243	28	79	£7,121.01
Argyll and Bute Council	245	28	68	£7,014.77
Arun District Council	741	97	97	£20,176.02
Ashfield District Council	470	41	88	£12,516.34
Ashford Borough Council	500	65	77	£13,771.17
Babergh District Council	236	39	42	£6,839.17
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council	816	84	199	£22,731.88
Basildon Council	1067	64	124	£26,512.95
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council	860	68	87	£21,695.77
Bassetlaw District Council	295	24	69	£7,973.80
Bath and North East Somerset Council	662	94	87	£18,272.23
Bedford Borough Council	1241	143	105	£32,437.52
Birmingham City Council	24489	1511	1347	£589,756.50
Blaby District Council	212	30	34	£5,938.19
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council	815	98	117	£22,052.05
Blackpool Council	953	111	174	£26,172.38
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council	253	14	77	£6,880.29
Bolsover District Council	198	14	58	£5,446.41
Bolton Council	1502	141	250	£39,905.61
Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk	593	56	94	£15,692.26
Borough of Broxbourne Council	703	76	58	£18,191.44
Boston Borough Council	335	26	52	£8,683.99
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council	2570	334	283	£69,258.10
Bracknell Forest Council	600	57	57	£15,402.01
Braintree District Council	611	58	80	£15,975.71
Breckland Council	566	67	80	£15,276.98
Brent Council	5124	1472	385	£160,785.31
Brentwood Borough Council	133	14	26	£3,629.17
Bridgend County Borough Council	626	30	111	£15,838.21
Brighton and Hove City Council	2692	522	274	£77,584.79
Bristol City Council	3584	416	390	£94,957.01
Broadland District Council	407	78	55	£11,891.68
Bromsgrove District Council	286	22	39	£7,322.83
Broxtowe Borough Council	311	27	58	£8,281.22
Buckinghamshire Council	2409	334	171	£64,313.12
Burnley Borough Council	499	61	79	£13,639.29
Bury Council	838	117	124	£23,233.57
Caerphilly County Borough Council	708	37	205	£19,053.40
Calderdale Council	876	143	140	£25,075.99
Cambridge City Council	656	53	81	£16,790.34
Cannock Chase District Council	314	27	62	£8,390.74
Canterbury City Council	701	84	94	£18,869.47
Cardiff Council	2574	330	300	£69,425.94
Carmarthenshire County Council	570	90	138	£16,843.72
Castle Point Borough Council	381	42	42	£10,025.68
Central Bedfordshire Council	1199	146	131	£31,988.95
Ceredigion County Council	295	72	49	£9,230.76
Charnwood Borough Council	640	44	83	£16,178.45
Chelmsford City Council	953	95	113	£24,876.41
Cheltenham Borough Council	530	59	64	£14,045.91
Cherwell District Council	624	85	71	£16,968.88
Cheshire East Council	1153	105	177	£30,310.32
Cheshire West and Chester Council	1149	119	214	£31,185.89
Chesterfield Borough Council	443	64	93	£12,737.31
Chichester District Council	532	114	68	£15,863.23
Chorley Council	415	17	66	£10,314.46
City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council	3266	411	384	£87,887.42
City of Edinburgh Council	4215	371	427	£107,552.58
City of Lincoln Council	574	42	81	£14,674.41
City of London Corporation	74	8	9	£1,953.43
City of Wolverhampton Council	1173	171	220	£33,371.40
City of York Council	606	51	88	£15,728.64
Clackmannanshire Council	230	15	48	£6,025.89
Colchester Borough Council	1085	104	128	£28,181.79
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar	79	9	15	£2,167.58
Conwy County Borough Council	681	62	109	£17,967.99
Cornwall Council	3336	543	494	£94,949.06
Cotswold District Council	223	32	40	£6,307.05
Council of the Isle of Scilly	0	0	0	£0.00
Coventry City Council	2799	280	276	£72,381.10
Crawley Borough Council	856	112	81	£22,918.54
Croydon Council	4894	684	307	£130,258.46
Cumberland Council	852	64	182	£22,660.22
Dacorum Borough Council	797	115	96	£21,938.02
Darlington Borough Council	438	34	85	£11,575.02
Dartford Borough Council	532	44	80	£13,819.28
Denbighshire County Council	591	55	86	£15,511.82
Derby City Council	1699	161	203	£44,128.19
Derbyshire Dales District Council	195	34	34	£5,688.77
Doncaster Council	1293	111	229	£34,187.38
Dorset Council	1632	253	230	£45,889.13
Dover District Council	573	39	77	£14,519.49
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council	852	129	198	£24,902.68
Dumfries and Galloway Council	512	48	127	£14,153.11
Dundee City Council	789	60	177	£21,126.25
Durham County Council	2722	261	464	£72,627.03
East Ayrshire Council	221	19	109	£6,772.33
East Cambridgeshire District Council	287	43	42	£8,035.37
East Devon District Council	487	84	81	£14,148.86
East Dunbartonshire Council	229	18	46	£6,092.31
East Hampshire District Council	363	43	46	£9,723.69
East Herts District Council	500	80	65	£14,077.69
East Lindsey District Council	546	83	115	£15,803.96
East Lothian Council	440	31	112	£11,892.77
East Renfrewshire Council	212	22	44	£5,808.27
East Riding of Yorkshire Council	729	130	173	£21,963.14
East Staffordshire Borough Council	525	71	63	£14,317.50
East Suffolk Council	887	107	153	£24,380.29
Eastbourne Borough Council	848	108	91	£22,745.57
Eastleigh Borough Council	429	49	61	£11,520.13
Elmbridge Borough Council	543	154	67	£17,334.41
Enfield Council	7317	1257	378	£200,986.45
Epping Forest District Council	488	72	71	£13,656.60
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council	477	78	34	£13,094.75
Erewash Borough Council	539	29	67	£13,329.45
Exeter City Council	841	57	101	£21,151.90
Falkirk Council	370	23	129	£10,347.66
Fareham Borough Council	329	40	41	£8,846.67
Fenland District Council	484	39	68	£12,495.97
Fife Council	1532	127	297	£40,736.88
Flintshire County Council	500	32	90	£12,912.32
Folkestone and Hythe District Council (Shepway)	451	69	84	£12,924.94
Forest of Dean District Council	319	55	48	£9,178.46
Fylde Council	265	33	49	£7,359.59
Gateshead Council	1051	99	204	£28,315.89
Gedling Borough Council	482	54	62	£12,829.89
Glasgow City Council	6011	365	1138	£155,277.75
Gloucester City Council	0	0	0	£0
Gosport Borough Council	441	24	57	£10,940.85
Gravesham Borough Council	382	36	63	£10,131.04
Great Yarmouth Borough Council	444	33	79	£11,594.58
Guildford Borough Council	566	67	61	£15,022.51
Gwynedd Council	496	51	121	£13,839.70
Halton Borough Council	520	39	105	£13,752.14
Harborough District Council	165	18	30	£4,505.74
Haringey Council	5306	1023	371	£150,496.95
Harlow Council	712	58	70	£18,007.97
Harrow Council	2497	1118	180	£90,752.47
Hart District Council	227	57	36	£7,137.21
Hartlepool Borough Council	459	29	94	£11,976.67
Hastings Borough Council	893	95	99	£23,405.63
Havant Borough Council	473	51	73	£12,705.70
Herefordshire Council	679	111	114	£19,508.83
Hertsmere Borough Council	660	117	63	£18,618.46
High Peak Borough Council	321	47	54	£9,061.94
Highland Council	602	41	145	£16,104.48
Hillingdon Council	2928	602	206	£84,240.32
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council	281	25	45	£7,411.68
Horsham District Council	523	99	65	£15,161.16
Hull City Council	2243	162	324	£57,408.83
Huntingdonshire District Council	581	51	77	£15,079.53
Hyndburn Borough Council	433	42	66	£11,462.74
Inverclyde Council	296	22	84	£8,130.73
Ipswich Borough Council	851	76	109	£22,040.83
Isle of Anglesey County Council	202	21	52	£5,669.17
Isle of Wight Council	769	125	111	£21,833.92
Islington Council	2364	602	340	£73,923.49
Kirklees Council	1846	239	271	£50,589.48
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council	708	63	175	£19,451.13
Lancaster City Council	488	35	102	£12,889.48
Leeds City Council	4926	736	649	£137,110.13
Leicester City Council	2599	395	277	£71,693.93
Lewes District Council	543	121	69	£16,326.21
Lewisham Council	5298	578	444	£137,448.79
Lichfield District Council	219	23	44	£5,982.39
Liverpool City Council	4106	386	660	£108,763.41
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham	3258	568	241	£90,715.33
London Borough of Barnet	4672	1481	321	£150,517.00
London Borough of Bexley	1795	186	169	£46,510.93
London Borough of Bromley	2303	253	204	£59,952.13
London Borough of Camden	3039	616	318	£88,534.45
London Borough of Ealing	4856	1246	340	£147,382.63
London Borough of Hackney	8159	1098	552	£216,394.85
London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham	2254	319	239	£61,402.27
London Borough of Havering	1682	257	171	£46,317.76
London Borough of Hounslow	1824	620	180	£60,797.57
London Borough of Lambeth	5429	702	422	£143,818.84
London Borough of Newham	7871	1598	423	£224,092.93
London Borough of Redbridge	3842	1104	219	£119,622.07
London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames	880	184	102	£25,935.07
London Borough of Tower Hamlets	6267	1372	398	£182,331.68
London Borough of Waltham Forest	3388	593	240	£94,271.20
Luton Borough Council	2,498	414	161	£68,558.52
Maidstone Borough Council	888	125	99	£24,251.52
Maldon District Council	198	27	32	£5,512.16
Malvern Hills District Council	204	42	41	£6,218.67
Manchester City Council	6196	466	633	£155,694.24
Mansfield District Council	494	22	86	£12,406.72
Medway Council	1502	143	172	£38,924.06
Melton Borough Council	100	11	19	£2,746.80
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council	222	10	55	£5,814.51
Merton Council	1678	358	118	£48,685.72
Mid Devon District Council	221	27	42	£6,138.22
Mid Suffolk District Council	191	37	41	£5,772.42
Mid Sussex District Council	526	82	63	£14,665.15
Middlesbrough Council	893	98	153	£24,231.63
Midlothian Council	464	21	64	£11,440.00
Milton Keynes Council	2107	262	197	£55,932.30
Mole Valley District Council	362	62	43	£10,251.90
Monmouthshire County Council	424	44	55	£11,203.47
Moray Council	238	36	55	£6,942.52
Neath Port Talbot County Council	784	45	140	£20,071.72
New Forest District Council	574	87	87	£16,172.03
Newark and Sherwood District Council	358	23	70	£9,310.90
Newcastle City Council	1716	161	277	£45,467.43
Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough Council	461	30	79	£11,846.28
Newport City Council	946	49	164	£23,965.56
North Ayrshire Council	473	43	148	£13,426.13
North Devon Council	453	46	63	£11,982.58
North East Derbyshire District Council	218	25	71	£6,401.48
North East Lincolnshire Council	743	45	118	£18,903.99
North Hertfordshire District Council	502	69	67	£13,793.72
North Kesteven District Council	207	30	51	£6,061.50
North Lanarkshire Council	1122	61	332	£30,341.30
North Lincolnshire Council	540	46	99	£14,328.65
North Norfolk District Council	534	101	69	£15,511.32
North Northamptonshire Council	1268	94	191	£32,641.87
North Somerset Council	832	70	124	£21,643.30
North Tyneside Council	601	67	171	£17,242.79
North Warwickshire District Council	176	21	33	£4,857.26
North West Leicestershire District Council	224	25	49	£6,230.86
North Yorkshire Council	1610	189	301	£44,382.59
Northumberland County Council	1030	132	234	£29,302.39
Norwich City Council	802	110	159	£22,718.00
Nottingham City Council	2697	172	347	£67,775.86
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council	614	36	79	£15,322.90
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council	183	26	26	£5,078.40
Oldham Council	1173	237	221	£35,455.77
Orkney Islands Council	58	7	12	£1,620.55
Oxford City Council	1107	97	101	£28,070.19
Pembrokeshire County Council	390	77	92	£11,962.57
Pendle Borough Council	358	73	62	£10,772.00
Perth and Kinross Council	237	28	88	£7,112.72
Peterborough City Council	1419	140	148	£36,740.47
Plymouth City Council	1529	132	266	£40,422.78
Portsmouth City Council	1637	193	215	£43,926.29
Powys County Council	358	60	85	£10,676.18
Preston City Council	932	53	154	£23,666.81
Reading Borough Council	1354	169	118	£35,841.20
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council	589	55	134	£16,114.62
Redditch Borough Council	311	24	52	£8,092.54
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council	624	90	65	£17,030.56
Renfrewshire Council	714	46	172	£19,025.07
Rhonda Cynon Taff County Borough Council	828	31	215	£21,568.93
Ribble Valley Borough Council	109	17	20	£3,116.93
Rochdale Borough Council	1381	124	199	£36,085.13
Rochford District Council	251	37	33	£6,953.85
Rossendale Borough Council	198	17	48	£5,392.39
Rother District Council	362	54	56	£10,176.92
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council	1159	101	221	£30,913.57
Royal Borough of Greenwich	3999	403	313	£102,419.85
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea	2800	401	222	£75,429.36
Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames	1273	232	98	£35,804.70
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead	574	107	63	£16,475.89
Rugby Borough Council	360	30	44	£9,218.39
Runnymede Borough Council	301	44	39	£8,326.65
Rushcliffe Borough Council	282	32	44	£7,633.58
Rushmoor Borough Council	490	44	71	£12,795.65
Rutland County Council	78	10	13	£2,175.92
Salford City Council	2142	170	278	£54,888.26
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council	1195	118	285	£33,080.29
Scottish Borders Council	410	35	87	£11,019.56
Sefton Council	1156	113	230	£31,353.36
Sevenoaks District Council	407	73	80	£12,069.21
Sheffield City Council	3446	345	618	£92,784.90
Shetland Islands Council	43	2	11	£1,116.79
Shropshire Council	835	118	172	£23,870.99
Slough Borough Council	1709	480	110	£53,038.67
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council	764	57	115	£19,662.16
Somerset Council	2067	278	323	£57,236.08
South Ayrshire Council	511	42	98	£13,557.06
South Cambridgeshire District Council	403	61	61	£11,350.53
South Derbyshire District Council	293	38	44	£8,051.48
South Gloucestershire Council	895	103	118	£23,941.69
South Hams District Council	311	85	50	£9,984.33
South Holland District Council	259	28	46	£7,023.42
South Kesteven District Council	360	61	68	£10,520.77
South Lanarkshire Council	905	89	263	£25,644.02
South Norfolk Council	479	64	61	£13,053.57
South Oxfordshire District Council	398	60	68	£11,305.44
South Ribble Borough Council	314	27	50	£8,228.25
South Staffordshire District Council	256	27	60	£7,126.07
South Tyneside Council	779	111	186	£22,640.52
Southampton City Council	1813	249	219	£49,517.62
Southend On Sea Borough Council	1279	160	143	£34,304.93
Southwark Council	4123	294	349	£102,133.98
Spelthorne Borough Council	456	64	51	£12,461.47
St Albans City and District Council	543	107	58	£15,745.86
St Helens Council	789	42	157	£20,292.42
Stafford Borough Council	394	27	63	£10,118.53
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council	214	23	38	£5,797.15
Stevenage Borough Council	566	56	69	£14,782.60
Stirling Council	424	31	91	£11,275.70
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council	890	105	177	£24,703.65
Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council	1094	106	149	£28,732.05
Stoke-On-Trent City Council	1400	131	225	£37,056.67
Stratford On Avon District Council	394	55	58	£10,926.47
Stroud District Council	380	60	56	£10,760.25
Sunderland City Council	1655	156	306	£44,379.43
Surrey Heath Borough Council	229	30	30	£6,226.08
Sutton Council	1434	233	112	£39,495.97
Swale Borough Council	893	80	105	£23,023.29
Swansea Council	774	76	209	£21,724.75
Swindon Borough Council	923	72	125	£23,695.83
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council	1136	111	259	£31,250.04
Tamworth Borough Council	247	10	46	£6,202.32
Tandridge District Council	289	53	37	£8,343.30
Teignbridge District Council	509	65	79	£13,991.58
Telford and Wrekin Council	1240	87	154	£31,331.65
Tendring District Council	752	97	118	£20,694.27
Test Valley Borough Council	563	51	57	£14,428.45
Tewkesbury Borough Council	258	27	40	£6,899.29
Thanet District Council	753	105	117	£20,941.29
Three Rivers District Council	352	61	44	£10,026.88
Thurrock Council	751	93	93	£20,232.47
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council	582	74	68	£15,687.66
Torbay Council	889	94	130	£23,707.20
Torfaen County Borough Council	493	35	84	£12,760.60
Torridge District Council	280	51	45	£8,167.55
Trafford Council	1030	86	133	£26,522.70
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council	496	78	67	£13,963.46
Uttlesford District Council	188	46	34	£5,919.27
Vale of Glamorgan Council	619	37	114	£15,920.66
Vale of White Horse District Council	425	64	70	£12,042.77
Wakefield Council	2091	123	300	£52,609.59
Walsall Council	1516	202	230	£41,832.99
Wandsworth Council	4228	930	301	£123,588.27
Warrington Borough Council	822	69	164	£21,933.29
Warwick District Council	453	62	67	£12,526.25
Watford Borough Council	868	175	64	£24,911.68
Waverley Borough Council	376	76	53	£11,125.96
Wealden District Council	426	126	64	£13,911.26
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council	690	78	84	£18,316.62
West Berkshire Council	542	68	70	£14,665.98
West Devon Borough Council	204	35	29	£5,848.38
West Dunbartonshire Council	538	27	122	£13,988.09
West Lancashire Borough Council	211	24	66	£6,157.36
West Lindsey District Council	295	41	57	£8,349.63
West Lothian Council	874	58	160	£22,670.38
West Northamptonshire Council	1694	193	219	£45,229.78
West Oxfordshire District Council	351	52	44	£9,728.46
West Suffolk Council	800	78	95	£20,822.01
Westminster City Council	3884	476	339	£102,570.78
Westmorland and Furness Council	684	85	124	£18,940.17
Wigan Council	1129	116	225	£30,783.41
Wiltshire Council	1437	164	226	£38,898.46
Winchester City Council	346	65	59	£10,231.63
Wirral Council	1837	160	303	£48,381.80
Woking Borough Council	591	73	50	£15,607.00
Wokingham District Council	314	37	41	£8,444.55
Worcester City Council	583	45	64	£14,757.26
Worthing Borough Council	751	71	76	£19,304.62
Wrexham County Borough Council	555	60	104	£15,139.23
Wychavon District Council	430	56	66	£11,830.47
Wyre Council	405	37	73	£10,818.21
Wyre Forest District Council	480	88	73	£13,994.46