Service charge recoverable as Housing Benefit

[Euan Kennedy]

We are wishing to take advantage of including in our claim to the Local Authority, which is Lambeth in London, the cost of administrative and other expenses which are eligible to be treated as Housing Benefit, for the first time.

Two of our four residents who receive HB receive this from Lambeth, but two receive “Universal Credit”. I have the form for Lambeth under which I can claim for both residents. I have not looked yet but I wonder if there is a similar form for Universal Credit, under which I can claim for both the other residents.

This, as you may imagine, is an urgent request.

Euan Kennedy Chair – Hibbert Almshouse Charity

[MGA2001]

Hi Euan,

I’m not familiar with administrative and other expenses being treated as housing benefit. Does this mean that any fees incurred in managing a property where a resident claims housing benefit can be claimed back through the local council? This would be very helpful if that it is the case, id be interested to know if this also applies to maintenance costs and upgrades such as new radiators.

In terms of the forms and applications, I would point you in the direction of the local authority who deal with the applications for universal credit as the eligibility and threshold criteria may be different to housing benefit. I hope this helps a little bit. There may even be a government portal where you can apply for universal credit. Our residents do this themselves with the local council so I can’t assist much further.

Many thanks,

[Euan Kennedy]

The answer your question is yes “Yes”

I would refer you to the Webinar entitled “Maximising the WMC through Service Charges presented by
William Clemmey, Chief Officer of Municipal Charities, Stratford-upon-Avon, which can be found on
the “Training and Events” section of the AA website. It was an excellent presentation and forms are
also provided listing what items can be claimed, and he provides us withe schedule that he uses in
making the claim. He also is very willing to answer questions sent by email.

I did ask him about claimants in receipt of “Universal Credit” and his answer, which I have just received,
is the individuals will need to make the claims themselves.

With my good wishes, Euan Kennedy – Chair – Hibbert Almshouse Charity

[Author]

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