7. Housing Benefit Tenants

Question 1

The Local Housing Allowance was introduced on…

Answer 1

7th April 2008

Question 2

The Housing Allowance benefit is based on what?

Answer 2

The individual’s circumstances

Question 3

The benefit is paid where?

Answer 3

Directly to tenants via their bank or saving accounts, or via a cheque

Question 4

The landlord or agent can claim to have benefit paid directly to them if what?

Answer 4

The tenant is regarded as vulnerable or is eight weeks or more in arrears

Question 5

For cohabiting couples, how is housing benefit claimed/assessed?

Answer 5

Only one person can claim the benefit, but both their income and savings are assessed

Question 6

Overpayments can be made due to what?

Answer 6

Fraudulent claims, not informing informing the authority of a change of circumstances that may affect the level of benefit, or because the benefit continued to be paid after the tenant left the property

Question 7

The local authority can claw back overpayments from other payments made to the landlord or agent up to how long after the events?

Answer 7

Up to six years (if the agent or landlord received it directly)

Question 8

There are certain circumstances where a local authority can claim overpayments from who?

Answer 8

From a person other than the person it was paid to, under the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997

Question 9

There are certain circumstances when a local authority cannot reclaim the overpayment from the person it was paid to… under what regulation?

Answer 9

Under Regulation 101 of The Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 (as amended) e.g., when the landlord or agent has failed to provide known information

Question 10

The Housing Benefit (Information from Landlords and Agents) Regulations 1977 allow local authorities to demand information from who?

Answer 10

Anyone receiving housing benefit

Question 11

It is a criminal offence not to what?

Answer 11

Respond to a local authority’s demand for information relating to a housing benefit tenancy

Question 12

If you do not report fraudulent claims or a change of circumstances, it is what?

Answer 12

A criminal offence under the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (General) Amendment (Number 2) Regulations 1997

Question 13

Housing benefit and Local Housing Allowance is replaced by what?

Answer 13

Universal Credit