Terms & Conditions

[Anonymous]

The method of assessing awards received towards the end of the year is producing large amounts which can in some instances take applicants for HB out of benefit. For example:-

Claimant was receiving JSAIB until started work in December 03.
CTC award of £968.32, received by LA 260304, dated 220304.
The award is backdated to October 03, the first payment on 060104 being the arrears payment of £511.36.
The amount to be added to the HB claim from 29/03/04 is £228.48 per week, according to instructions of how to assess payments, despite the applicant receiving CTC of £38.08 per week only.

This large amount will remain on the claim until a revised notification is received, so the applicant could lose out for a significant period of time.

When contacted the IR could not explain this, nor why the claim had been backdated for a period when the claimant was receiving JSAIB.

Any advice/comments please.

[Anonymous]

not sure if you have seen the new circular A18/2004 on Rightsnet.

[Anonymous]

Have there not been more payments since 6/1/04 which should be deducted from the annual award? I would have thought that if the notification was dated 22/3/04 that between ‘amount paid’ and the ‘first payment arrears’ this should take into accounteverything due up to 22/3/04 leaving only a weeks award to pay.

[Anonymous]

[quote:78b96ff7a0=”Jenni (SBC)”]Have there not been more payments since 6/1/04 which should be deducted from the annual award? I would have thought that if the notification was dated 22/3/04 that between ‘amount paid’ and the ‘first payment arrears’ this should take into accounteverything due up to 22/3/04 leaving only a weeks award to pay.[/quote:78b96ff7a0]

Yes, must agree with Jenni….things just don’t add up! I would have thought there must be another amount paid that can be treated as arrears. I’d find it difficult to advise an assessor to use income of £228.48pw in this case. Especially given the fact that a lot of the recent guidance (o/p recovery) seems to stress the idea that we should be using the net amount of TC, i.e what they actually receive!

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