Mixed Age Couple in Supported Accommodation

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  • #283652
    ROBCRIDDLE
    Participant

    Dealing with a query from a customer’s representative… They are insisting that a mixed age couple in supported accommodation would be entitled to Pension Age HB (with appropriate applicable amounts). As far as I know there are no Pension Age benefits or Working Age benefits in payment between the couple. The resources I have seen seem to indicate that it should be Working Age HB, can anyone confirm this with the appropriate Reg? I am struggling to find the relevant Regulation!

    Many thanks in advance!

    #283654
    Peter Barker
    Keymaster

    How has this myth taken hold? Was discussing it with a group on a workshop only this week. I blame Northgate.

    If the claimant or partner is a pensioner, and they don’t get UC or legacy working age DWP benefits, their HB is governed by the HB(SPC) Regs. See Reg 5 in each of the two respective volumes.

    #283884
    ROBCRIDDLE
    Participant

    Peter, Thanks for your reply. I wonder what your opinion is on the HB circular A3/2019 Mixed age couples: changes to entitlement conditions from 15 May 2019 in relation to the above? (I am continuing to look into this as I am getting different opinions on this matter!)

    #283889
    Peter Barker
    Keymaster

    The circular doesn’t address that question at all as far as I can see. It’s just general info about the rules that prevent new HB claims and, in some cases, terminate existing HB awards for mixed age couples in general needs accommodation. It is silent about people in supported accommodation.

    Honestly, there are NO PLAUSIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES in which a mixed age couple in specified accommodation, without entitlement to working age DWP benefit, would ever have their HB worked out under the working age HB Regs.

    #284532
    ROBCRIDDLE
    Participant

    Sorry to bring this up again (I have tried to reply once already so if two appear then apologies!)

    I am still not 100% sure of the answer on this, as i am getting different answers from different sources.

    The Situation is as follows:
    Pension Age Customer was in receipt of Housing Benefit on her own in Supported Accommodation.
    We then found out that partner had moved in, capi was over £16K and GPC ended so HB ended from May 2021 (decision made in March 2023).
    Now capi has reduced they want to make a new claim and are insisting it should be SPC Regs.

    however, from 15 May 2019 generally no new claims are allowed by a mixed age couple. I liken this to example 2 on the circular mentioned above. when the claim ended, savings provisions therefore end and they now need to make a new claim.

    The customer’s rep is pointing me to https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/37 – article 6. However, the claim ended due to no gpc and excess capi, not just because she became part of a MAC.

    The fact that we would be unable to accept a claim for HB if it were private rental and they would need to claim UC seems to suggest to me that it should be working age HB. But I am struggling for a definitive answer anywhere.

    In my mind, this is a brand new claim from a MAC, so should therefore be treated as WA, they can’t get UC for housing costs so can get HB, but it should be calculated on WA regs. If (i know this is hypothetical) they require help with they living costs they would not be able to claim Pension Credit, so I am not seeing why this is different for HB at present.

    #284533
    Peter Barker
    Keymaster

    Not working age regs.

    Here are the logical steps:

    – can they make a new HB claim at all? Yes because they are in specified accommodation
    – is either of them a pensioner? – Yes
    – is either of them receiving a working age DWP benefit? – No (I’m assuming they aren’t on UC)

    They are therefore entitled to HB under the HB(SPC) Regs.

    Just to pick up on some points in your post:

    “The fact that we would be unable to accept a claim for HB if it were private rental and they would need to claim UC seems to suggest to me that it should be working age HB.” – Why? The thing that determines which set of HB Regs applies is Reg 5 in each set of HB Regs – the only relevant factors are the ages of the claimant and partner and whether or not any working age DWP benefit is in payment. “I am struggling for a definitive answer”. This is your definitive answer – it really, really is.

    “they would not be able to claim Pension Credit, so I am not seeing why this is different for HB” – it’s because they are in specified accommodation, which means they can make an HB claim but not an SPC claim. That’s what’s different.

    #284537
    ROBCRIDDLE
    Participant

    Thanks for clearing it up Peter, I really appreciate your help with this, I got in a right old muddle!

    #284540
    peterdelamothe
    Keymaster

    “How has this myth taken hold?”. Indeed Peter.

    Maybe one for your list.

    #284541
    Peter Barker
    Keymaster

    Yes, this one has made the conference cut!

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