Housing Benefit/State Pension/Benefits

[Lisa Hocking]

We have a resident who has now reached state pension age … he has been receiving universal credit as unable to work … he has asked the clerk to provide him a letter with details of where he lives, the amount & frequency of WMC … etc etc
BUT he has also asked for me [as clerk] to provide the names of all the other residents & as well as me signing the letter on behalf of the charity they have asked him to get all the other residents to sign this letter. I do not feel happy to do this & I can’t see the reason for it.
I have provided a similar letter about one month ago & stated in it all the info asked for except those names & offered the dept. concerned [Housing/social?] to contact me either by telephone or email.
I do not feel that I should contact them myself … I think it is another case of a Govt. dept not being aware of the social housing aspect of Almshouses although I have had several communications over the years with the council & others explaining what we are & how we work.
Can someone comment on this & reassure me I am correct in not supplying those names & signatures … I stand to be corrected but does seem invasive somehow.

[clerk@salisburyalmshouses.co.uk]

Hi Lisa

I find this most bizarre – why on earth would they need to know details of other Residents? I cannot see how this information would be relevant and would imagine this is in breach of data protection rules!

Susan Coen, Salisbury City Almshouse & Welfare Charities

[clarescottbooth@sheppardtrust.org]

I don’t know what type of accommodation you have but is it possible that he has misunderstood the question “does anyone else live with you” on the claim form? I sometimes have to explain to my residents why they need to say “no” to this question as they see themselves as living in one big house although they all have separate flats. I can’t think of any other reason why the information would be asked for.

Clare

[Lisa Hocking]

… thanks both … & yes I’m now also wondering if that is the case … if he has not made it clear they are 8 separate flats within the almshouse … I thought I had in a previous letter but maybe need to emphasise to the resident he may be giving the wrong impression…. I will make enquiries …

[Author]

Posts