Following presentations on Universal Credit and Housing Benefit at the Scheme Manager/Wardens Seminar (Tuesday 25th September 2018), it became clear that some Local Authorities did not understand that the Weekly Maintenance Contribution equates to a rent (paid by a private tenant). This has led to problems with residents claiming Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.
The Almshouse Association will be highlighting this issue to both national and local government but should any Almshouse Charity face similar problems they should direct the Local Authority to:
The Housing Finance Act 1972 – ‘Extension of the Allowance Scheme to Almspeople’
This is quoted below:
“Regulations made under Section 19A of the 1972 Act. Joint Circular 107/75 Appointed Day
2. The Housing Rent and Subsidies Act 1975 (Allowances for Almspeople) Appointed Day Order 1975 (SI1975 No 1565) bring almspeople within the scope of allowances schemes on 17 November 1975.
3. Regulations which have been made under Section 19A of the 1972 Act (hereinafter referred to as “the regulations”) modify and adapt existing provisions of Part II and Schedules 3 and 4 of the Act, together with the various instruments (principally directions) made thereunder, so as to meet the special circumstances of almspeople.
4. The general modifications specified in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the regulations relate to the substitution of terminology applicable to almspeople for that applicable to private tenants of rented accommodation (eg “almsperson” for “tenant”, “weekly maintenance contribution” for “weekly rent” etc). In some instances it has been necessary either to make more substantial alternations to the existing provisions or to disapply them specifically in relation to almspeople.”
In summary of the above, Weekly Maintenance Contributions required to be paid by an almsperson equates to a rent (paid by a private tenant).
We understand that all new applicants for Housing Benefit will now fall under the Universal Credit scheme and existing claimants will be migrated to Universal Credit over the next 5 years. There is a lot of useful information about Universal Credit at the following:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-you/universal-credit-and-you-a