Housing Benefit

The request was successful.

Dear Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council,

Please could you let me know with regards to the Under-occupancy
reduction for housing benefit, if a disabled person needs an
overnight carer, and therefore a bedroom is needed for them, how
many nights they would need that carer to be in attendance to
qualify for the reduction not to apply.

Also what is the definition of a carer, does it need to be a paid
carer or could it be an unpaid one, for example a family member
providing they don't reside at that house.

Also could you let me know how much funding your
Council has been allocated for Discretionary Housing Payments and
how an application for them should be made.

Yours faithfully,

Dave Brady

Accesstoinformation, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Dear Dave,

Thank you for your request for information regarding 'Housing Benefit'
(our reference number 24764). Your request was received on the 29th
April 2013 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and/or the Environmental Information Regulations
2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I
will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be
required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.

If you have any queries about this request, please contact Jonathan
Pickup on 01254 585852. Alternatively, our email address is
[Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email].

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

Regards,

Heather Wolstenholme
Freedom of Information Officer
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Information Technology Management and Governance
Tel: 01254 585651
Fax: 01254 585286

Post: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, IT Dept, G Floor, Tower
Block, Town Hall, Blackburn, Lancs. BB1 7DY.
Website: www.blackburn.gov.uk
Email: [email address]

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Accesstoinformation, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

1 Attachment

Dear Dave,

Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Housing Benefit’ (our reference number 24764); please see our response below. If you have any queries regarding your request for information then please don't hesitate to contact me.

1) Please could you let me know with regards to the Under-occupancy reduction for housing benefit, if a disabled person needs an overnight carer, and therefore a bedroom is needed for them, how many nights they would need that carer to be in attendance to qualify for the reduction not to apply.

The regulations stipulate that a carer should stay overnight ‘regularly’ but does not prescribe a minimum number of nights that would satisfy this requirement. However it is not intended that the provision should apply for regular but infrequent care, but rather for customers where the need for care and therefore the bedroom is frequent thereby enabling them to continue to live in the community. Local Authorities should decide whether the provision applies based on the circumstances of the individual case.

2) Also what is the definition of a carer, does it need to be a paid carer or could it be an unpaid one, for example a family member providing they don't reside at that house.

In some cases overnight care will be provided informally (as well as formally) perhaps by a member of the family. Customers with such informal arrangements can also benefit from the new provision (providing they continue to live elsewhere). Local Authorities will use their discretion in each case to decide what supporting evidence if any is needed in considering the informality of the arrangements.

3) Also could you let me know how much funding your Council has been allocated for Discretionary Housing Payments and how an application for them should be made.

The DHP fund in 2013/2014 is £376,643.00. Customers can apply by either ringing our Helpline on 0845 0701066 to request a form or collect one from Blackburn or Darwen Town Hall.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to: Sarah Slater, Information Governance Manager, Information Governance, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, G Floor, Town Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7DY or email [email address].

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Kind Regards,

[Name of Council employee removed]
DP FOI Officer
 
Information Technology, Management and Governance
G Floor, Tower Block
Blackburn Town Hall
Blackburn
BB1 7DY
 
Tel: 01254 58 5852

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