Housing benefit for 'exempt' or 'supported' accommodation

The request was refused by Colchester Borough Council.

Dear Colchester Borough Council,

I would like to make a freedom of information request for the
following information;

- Total number of housing benefit claimants within the authority
for 'exempt' accommodation for the current year and the total for each of the 5 previous years (calendar or financial, however it is collated).

- Total amount of housing benefit paid by the authority for
'exempt' accommodation for the current year and the total for each of the 5 previous years (calendar or financial, however it is collated).

Yours faithfully,

Luke Denne

Info, Colchester Borough Council

Dear Mr Denne

Thank you for your request which has been logged under reference 151023024007.

For full details of the Freedom of Information Act, how a request is dealt with and related information please visit http://www.ico.org.uk .

Yours sincerely
 
Mike Fawcett
Information and Project Officer
Colchester Borough Council
Telephone: 01206 508793
Textphone users dial 18001 followed by the full number that you wish to call.
[email address]
www.colchester.gov.uk/contact
 

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Mike Fawcett, Colchester Borough Council

Dear Mr Denne

I am now able to respond to your Freedom of Information request logged on 23rd October under reference 151023024007.

- Total number of housing benefit claimants within the authority for 'exempt' accommodation for the current year and the total for each of the 5 previous years (calendar or financial, however it is collated).

- Total amount of housing benefit paid by the authority for 'exempt' accommodation for the current year and the total for each of the 5 previous years (calendar or financial, however it is collated).

Colchester Borough Council is currently introducing a system to flag claims made in respect of exempt accommodation. At present however such claims could only be identified by examining every individual housing benefit claim. This work cannot be undertaken as it would exceed the cost limit set down in Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act and we do not have the necessary resources.

If you have any further questions or concerns regarding this request please contact me again quoting the reference given above.

Yours sincerely
 
Mike Fawcett
Information and Project Officer
Colchester Borough Council
 
Tel: 01206 508793
Textphone users dial 18001 followed by the full number that you wish to call.
 
[email address]
www.colchester.gov.uk/contact

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