I contacted the DWP by email on Tuesday to ask from what date a new rent officer decision should be used in the calculation of maximum HB following a referral under the new ‘every 52 weeks’ arrangement. I got an immediate reply which confirmed that ‘the new Rent Officer’s determination is now a change of circumstance that takes effect from the benefit week that follows the end of the same 52-week period that has prompted the further referral’. I replied to the DWP asking what provisions there were for the overpayments that were created where the maximum HB went down as it would be impossible to recovery such an overpayment. Not suprisingly, I haven’t yet had a response which gives the impression that they have not thought about it!!
