Guidance

LA Welfare Direct 5/2022

Updated 12 December 2022

Contact

If you have queries about the:

• technical content of this bulletin then contact details are given at the end of each article
• general content and distribution of this bulletin, contact [email protected]

Who should read

All Housing Benefit staff

Action

For information

Editorial

It is a pleasure for me to put pen to paper (as they used to say!) for this edition of the Local Authority Welfare Direct. May already, so let’s hope for some warm Great British sun soon and, most definitely, for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee! I hope your plans for celebrating this historic event are well advanced.

So, what do we have for you in this month’s edition? As ever, there is a mixed bundle of information for us to communicate and cascade. Here is a flavour. We are signalling our intentions to migrate Searchlight and Verify Earnings and Pensions Service off the Public Service Network to a new solution. This won’t be until April 2023 but key for us is to move to any new solution as seamlessly as we can. I would, therefore, urge you to keep this in view. What would we do without Searchlight and the Verify Earnings and Pensions Service?

There is a gentle reminder about Housing Benefit Debt Recoveries returns for you to consider. By way of a nudge from me, please feel free to contact my Performance Development Team (PDT) if you want help with any aspect of your HB administration; not least anything to do with debt. We are here to support you and can help you to significantly increase your levels of debt recovery. If you are interested, please get in touch at: [email protected]

One final thing to flag - I consider PDT to be in a rather privileged position to support local authorities (LAs). Not least because of the rich knowledge and experience our five LA secondees bring to the Local Authority Partnership, Engagement and Delivery division. Appreciating LA colleagues continue to face unique resource and other pressures; it would be great to hear from anyone who relishes a challenge and wants to develop. Working for our division on secondment is a great development opportunity so, if you fancy it, do read the related article in full and get in touch.

I think that is it for now, so thanks for reading, enjoy the summer and stay safe.

Jonathan Bottomer Head of PDT

New Housing Benefit Matching Service Employment and Support Allowance address rule

1. The Local Authority Partnership, Engagement and Delivery (LA-PED) division is continually improving the suite of Housing Benefit Matching Service (HBMS) rules to provide quality referrals and to reduce nugatory referrals issued to local authorities (LAs).

2. LA-PED has introduced a new HBMS rule HBES055.

3. This rule identifies HB claimants who are in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance and failed to notify the LA of a change of address.

4. The new referrals will be available to LAs from week commencing 9 May 2022. The HBMS rules guidance (which is available on Glasscubes) will be updated to reflect the new rule.

5. If you have any questions regarding the content of this article contact: [email protected]

Update: Public Services Network

6. LAs will be aware that two Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT applications (Searchlight and Verify Earnings and Pension Service) are still hosted on the Public Service Network (PSN). DWP Digital colleagues are currently developing the solutions to migrate these two services off PSN by April 2023.

7. There is still a significant amount of work to do in this area. Therefore, DWP is working with Cabinet Office on potential contingency options for LAs should there be any delays. We will be providing regular communications over the coming months to keep LAs updated on progress and to help with their planning.

8. In the meantime, if you have any questions, contact: [email protected]

Reminder: LA HB Debt Recoveries returns for national statistics

9. The HB Debt Recoveries (HBDR) national statistics are published twice a year in:

• March (for the period April to September which covers quarter 1 (Q1) and Q2 of the previous year), and
• September (for the period April to March which covers Q3 and Q4 of the previous year).

10. These are supported by LAs who are asked to complete and return their HBDR template on a quarterly basis.

11. The statistics show the amount of HB debt identified and recovered during specific times of the financial year. The publication of this information offers a level of transparency to the public and interested parties alike, whilst helping to inform future policy across DWP which, in turn, identifies new ways to help LAs prevent and recover overpayments in the future.

12. Each individual LA return is important as it enables DWP statisticians to present an overall picture of HB overpayments and recoveries across Great Britain.

13. Over the last quarter some LAs have either not provided a return or have been late in providing their return. This prevents DWP’s ability to monitor the effectiveness of the support that we provide to LAs and to provide accurate and robust statistics.

Current position

14. DWP published the latest HB Debt Recoveries statistics on the 2 March 2022. They showed the amount of HB debt identified and recovered during the first two quarters of the last financial year.

15. In recent years, the amount of HB overpayment identified and recovered by LAs has steadily fallen, in line with the fall in HB caseload. However, the latest figures show that the amount of HB debt identified by LAs between April and September 2021 was £17 million (9%) higher than the same period the previous year.

16. The amount of HB debt recovered was higher too, by £12 million (6%). This reflects the increased HB debt recovery activity during April to September 2021, compared with the same period the previous year, when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit.

Action for LAs

17. We strongly encourage all LAs to work with the department’s Data Delivery Team to return data by the agreed deadlines to: [email protected]

18. If you have any problems returning the data, contact the Data Delivery Team on the email address given above.

Reminder: Mixed Age Couple claims for HB or Pension Credit

19. We are aware that there is still some confusion about when a new claim for HB or Pension Credit can be made by a Mixed Age Couple.

20. The Mixed Age Couple policy came into force from 15 May 2019 for all new claims from couples where one member is over State Pension age and the other member is under State Pension age.

21. Guidance about the changes to HB regulations and which couples could apply for HB and/or Pension Credit was issued through circulars HB A3/2019 and HB A9/2019

22. The following paragraphs are a reminder of the information provided in A9/2019:

• Although the majority of Mixed Age Couples are unable to make new claims for HB assessed under the Housing Benefit (persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/214), this doesn’t apply where the couple have an existing claim for Pension Credit.
• A Mixed Age Couple may also make a new claim for Pension Credit where there is an existing claim for HB assessed under the Housing Benefit (persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/214).

23. If you have any questions about the content of this article email: [email protected]

Single service phone line for bereaved citizens

24. From 11 April 2022, the new single contact number for DWPs bereavement services is 0800 151 2012.

25. This number is for citizens to:

• report a death, provide information and find out what support is available following a bereavement
• make a new or, manage an existing claim for Bereavement Benefit or Bereavement Support Payment
• make a new or, manage an existing claim for Funeral Expenses Payments
• request State Pension updates following the death of a spouse or civil partner

26. The new number will be publicised through appropriate communications channels, including www.gov.uk and the updating of customer letters and leaflets.

Future strategy for providing support for people to claim Universal Credit – Supplier event

27. DWP currently provides grant funding to support people to make and maintain their Universal Credit (UC) claim up until their first correct UC payment.

28. DWP is looking at how best to fulfil these requirements in the future by considering our strategy and the capability of the marketplace.

29. The requirements have not yet been finalised and DWP is hosting an industry pre-market engagement event on Thursday 19 May 2022 to:

• give potential delivery partners the opportunity to better understand DWP’s objectives and challenges, and
• DWP to gain insight from the market about potential ways forward.

Strategy to completing the Move to UC

30. As LAs may have seen, on 25 April 2022 DWP published the strategy to completing the Move to UC

Secondment opportunities in LA-PED division

31. Working with LAs, as one of our major stakeholders in Welfare Reform, continues to feature heavily and for this reason we value the expertise and knowledge that LA HB experts can bring to the team. These secondment opportunities provide an opportunity to gain an insight and experience of policy development and workings of central government.

32. LA-PED has had a programme of bringing HB experts from LAs in to work alongside data sharing, subsidy, change and performance teams on secondment. We are now looking to register your interest for further secondment opportunities over the coming months.

33. LA-PED comprises approximately 120 staff. The division is responsible for overseeing the performance of LAs in their delivery of HB. It monitors a range of performance data including how quickly and accurately HB is paid and the prevention and detection of fraud and error. LA-PED offers support and challenge to those LAs not meeting performance expectations.

34. It supports a large programme of data sharing activity that is paramount in helping LAs pay the correct amount of HB and is heavily involved in managing change activity supporting the Welfare Reform agenda.

35. It’s also responsible for paying HB Administration Subsidy, DHPs, New Burdens and additional grant funding.

36. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in maintaining and improving stakeholder relationships between DWP and LAs and in designing innovative opportunities for closer working during this busy and complex period of welfare reform.

Personal requirements

37. Candidates should possess the following:

• good understanding of HB procedures and regulations
• good drafting and communication skills
• ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with LAs and other stakeholders
• ability to work with people at different levels in the organisation and to work as part of a team to achieve results
• ability to deliver work at pace and with successful, quantifiable outcomes

Further information

38. Secondment posts would be offered for either 12 months or 24 months dependant on the role offered across the division. The posts would usually be full time and based across the country, although no moves at public expense would be considered. These opportunities will be determined by business need so your CV will be kept on file and you will be contacted once a suitable opportunity arises.

39. If you are keen to register your interest and are at S01/S02/SO3 and Pay Band level 4 or equivalent, (roughly equates to civil service HEO/SEO/G7 grades) please:

• check with your LA that you could be released, and then
• send your CV by email to: [email protected]

Practitioners’ Operational Group and LA Welfare Steering Group

40. The last Practitioners’ Operational Group meeting took place on 21 April 2022. Agenda items included Move to Universal Credit (mandatory), Cost Refresh.

41. Both groups’ meeting are held bi-monthly (and alternately) so the next meeting of the LA Welfare Steering Group is scheduled to take place on 19 May 2022.

42. If you have any questions regarding topics raised at these consultation groups, you can email: [email protected]

HB decisions by the Upper Tribunal

43. Decision Making and Appeals (DMA) Leeds have not been made aware of any new HB/CTB decisions by the Upper Tribunal since the last edition of this bulletin.

New Legislation

44. The following Statutory Instruments (SIs) have been laid:

• Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/298, laid on 16 March 2022
• Social Security (Habitual Residence and Past Presence) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/344, laid on 21 March 2022
• Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2022, SI 2022/342, laid on 21 March 2022
• Occupational Pensions Schemes (Collective Money Purchase Schemes) (Modifications and Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/337, laid on 21 March 2022
• Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/380, laid on 24 March 2022
• Social Security and Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Amendment) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/449, laid on 12 April 2022
• Universal Credit (Local Welfare Provision Disregard) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/448, laid on 13 April 2022

45. Copies of SIs can now be downloaded from legislation.gov.uk

What’s new on our HB pages on www.gov.uk

46. The following items can be found on the website link shown:

Document Type	Subject	Link
LAWD4/2022	Editorial Urgent reminder: Notification of procurement of audit firm for the financial year ending March 2023 Housing Benefit Assurance Process (England only) Urgent reminder: Completion of Baseline Personal Security Standards checks. Reminder: Discretionary Housing Payments end of year final claim form for FYE March 2022 (England and Wales only) due by 30 April 2022 Reminder: Changes to the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme and LA access to data Update: Use of HM Revenue & Customs’ real time earnings and non-state pension information Change of tax year for HB Matching Service self-assessment Changes to supported housing and temporary accommodation Single Housing Benefit Extract management information Sharing of DWP IT system screenshots to claimants via LA digital portals Sharing of DWP IT system screenshots with auditors Transformation of SHBE returns to DWP Guidance on generating a monthly list of HBMS Planned HB Cost Refresh exercise for FYE March 2023 HB Award Accuracy process guidance Publication of refreshed HB Assurance Process modules for FYE year ending March 2022 Council Tax Debt data sharing pilot Practitioners’ Operational Group and LA Welfare Steering Group HB decisions by the Upper Tribunal New Legislation What’s new on our HB pages on www.gov.uk	LAWD4/2022
LAWD4/2022 lite	Update: Housing Benefit Matching Service Jobseekers Allowance address rule Secondment opportunities in Housing Policy Division	LAWD4/2022 lite
A4/2022	The Social Security (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme	A4/2022
A5/2022	Housing Benefit Award Accuracy Initiative for financial year ending March 2023	A5/2022
S7/2022	Housing Benefit Award Accuracy Initiative funding for financial year ending March 2023 for local authorities participating from 4 April 2022	S7/2022
Household Support Fund guidance	Household Support Fund guidance	Household Support Fund guidance