The government began consultation on the regime for reviewing claims that should replace 'benefit periods' for housing benefit. (Benefit periods for pensioners, and if practicable for other housing benefit claimants, will be abolished from October 2003. A benefit period is a set number of weeks for which the benefit is paid.)
Source: Replacing Benefit Periods, Department for Work and Pensions (020 7712 2171)
Links: Consultation paper
Date: 2002-Dec
A research study examined options for simplifying private rented sector housing benefit schemes, and assessed the potential implications of major long-term reform of housing benefit through the introduction of 'local standard rate' payments.
Source: Nick Pettigrew and Andrew Thomas, Housing Benefit Simplification in the Private Rented Sector, In-House Report 107, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
An article examined the government's proposed housing benefit reforms. It welcomed the fact that the plans will be piloted, and strongly urged the government to keep its promise that they will only be applied nationally once the reform 'works and is fair' the definition of which should be based on open and committed consultation with affected parties, coupled with improving housing conditions in the rented sector. (The government's intention is to introduce a flat-rate, standard local housing allowance for tenants in the deregulated private rented sector, based on current local reference rents and single room rents.)
Source: Paula Twigg, 'Housing benefit: reclaiming the agenda', Welfare Rights Bulletin 171, December 2002, Child Poverty Action Group (020 7837 7979)
Links: Article
Date: 2002-Dec
A briefing paper examined problems associated with the benefits system for older homeless people and those at risk of homelessness. It proposed a series of practical changes to the benefits system, particularly in relation to housing benefit.
Source: Jenny Pannell, Benefits Tangles: Problems of the benefits system for older homeless people and those at risk of homelessness, Help the Aged (020 7278 1114) and UK Coalition on Older Homelessness
Links: Briefing paper (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
Researchers evaluated a scheme to test the feasibility of allowing registered social landlords to become involved in checking and verifying housing benefit/council tax benefit claims from their tenants. They found that local authorities, registered social landlords and their tenants all welcome the scheme and want it to continue.
Source: Barbara Carlisle, Michael Wagstaff, Sara Candy, Nick Pettigrew and Andrew Thomas, The RSL VF Pilot: An Evaluation - Registered Social Landlord involvement in the Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit Verification Framework, In-House Report 106, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
Consultation began on proposals for regulations which, from April 2003, would bring back into effect the pre-existing 1987 housing benefit regulations (as subsequently amended) dealing with the treatment of non-housing related support charges. (From April 2003 the transitional housing benefit scheme - which pays for the charges to meet the costs of housing-related support services for vulnerable people - will be replaced by the 'Supporting People Programme', administered by local authorities.)
Source: Press release 17.12.02, Social Security Advisory Committee (020 7412 1510)
Links: SSAC press release (pdf) | DWP press release
Date: 2002-Dec
An Audit Commission report in Wales called for an end to the practice of taking court action to recover rent arrears that are due to delays in processing housing benefit. A second report offered a practical guide for councils and housing associations on how to prevent and manage rent arrears.
Source: Rent Arrears, Audit Commission (0800 502030) and University of Cardiff | Closing the Gap, Audit Commission and University of Cardiff
Links: Arrears report | Closing the gap report | Closing the gap (Welsh) | Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The government said that it will legislate to allow councils in England to apply council tax discounts of 10-50 per cent for second homes (currently second homeowners have an automatic entitlement to a 50 per cent discount). It said the change could raise an extra 65 million nationally.
Source: Press release 19.11.02, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7944 3000)
Links: ODPM press release | LGA press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 4.5
Date: 2002-Nov
'Rapid Reclaim' was introduced on 28 October 2002: under it, people of working age can reclaim housing benefit within twelve weeks of the end of their last claim, using a shortened, simplified claim form which includes a declaration that their circumstances are the same as when they previously claimed.
Source: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Circular HB/CTB A23/2002, Department for Work and Pensions (020 7712 2171)
Links: Circular (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 7.6
Date: 2002-Oct
The Prime Minister said that: 'anti-social tenants and their anti-social landlords who make money out of abusing housing benefit, while making life hell for the community, should lose their right to it'.
Source: Speech by Tony Blair MP to Labour Party Conference, 1.10.02
Links: Text of speech
Date: 2002-Oct
The government published its proposals for reforming the housing benefit system. In ten pathfinder areas standard local housing allowances will be introduced - initially in the deregulated private rented sector - based on area and family size. The government said that the standard allowances will give people greater freedom to decide where to live, simplify the benefit, and speed up administration.
Source: Building Choice and Responsibility: A radical agenda for housing benefit, Department for Work and Pensions (020 7712 2171) | Press releases 17.10.02 and 24.10.02, Department for Work and Pensions
Links: Report | Summary | Press release 17.10.02 | Press release 24.10.02 | Hansard
Date: 2002-Oct
The local government ombudsman reported a 'dramatic' improvement in housing benefit administration, with complaints down by a quarter in 2001-02 compared to the previous year.
Source: Annual Report 2001-02, Commission for Local Administration in England (020 7915 3210)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 4.4
Date: 2002-Sep
The number of housing benefit recipients in May 2001 was 3.87 million, equivalent to just over 8 per cent of the Great Britain population (individuals aged 16 and over), and approximately 4 per cent lower than a year earlier.
Source: Press release 25.7.02, Department for Work and Pensions (020 7712 2171)
Links: Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
A private member's Bill that proposed to withdraw housing benefit from tenants found guilty of anti-social behaviour fell due to lack of parliamentary time.
Source: Press release 31.7.02, Homeless Links (020 7960 3010)
Links: Press release | Bill
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 4.4
Date: 2002-Jul
An audit report called for government action to speed up payment of housing benefit.
Source: Housing Benefit - The National Perspective, Audit Commission (0800 502030)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 4.4)
Date: 2002-Jun
