I email the LOA and HB form directly to the Benefits Department when complete (I help the resident fill a paper copy) and break down the costs on the HB form for the resident.
I also ensure they tick the box stating Benefits can contact me directly. It is confusing, but the Benefit will only be paid on the WMC element, so if you include anything else, like utilities, they will not count this as (rent). I also cross out any references to rent and change it to Weekly Maintenance Contribution and also state clearly they are a beneficiary of a charity, a resident and not a tenant.
This is how I would normally word finance on the Housing Benefit Claim Form:
The weekly maintenance contribution of £……… includes an element of utility charges (gas and electricity), fixed at £…… per week.
Sewerage and water charges are paid directly by the Charity and this charge is not passed on to the resident.
Never had problems with our local council, only Universal Credit, who don’t understand the concept of an Almshouse and seem to think it’s a carehome.
Kind regards
Charlotte Barrett
The United Charities of Abel Collin