§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if a recent letter from the police regarding investigation of a burglary at a property is acceptable proof of identification to comply with the housing benefit verification framework. [113774]
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§ Angela EagleThe relevance or weight given to any piece of evidence in support of a claim is a matter for the local authority concerned. The Verification Framework requires local authorities to look at the whole picture presented by a claimant when establishing identity. It would not be appropriate for this Department to direct local authorities as to the weight they should give to a particular piece of evidence, which may or may not be relevant depending on the wider circumstances of the case.
§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will extend the definition of hostels for the purposes of implementation of the housing benefit verification framework to other organisations providing accommodation for the vulnerable and socially excluded. [113650]
§ Angela EagleThe definition of hostel that exists ensures that most bona fide direct access, short stay accommodation for the homeless is covered. The special rules for hostels are designed to ensure that this type of accommodation is available to the socially excluded. For all other types of accommodation the Verification Framework is sufficiently flexible to allow genuine claimants to satisfy its requirements and receive their benefit entitlement. In very exceptional documented cases the local authority can decide to make payment even when the Verification Framework standard has not been met.
§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has published a list of acceptable proofs of identification to comply with the housing benefit verification framework. [113773]
§ Angela EagleThe Verification Framework initially contained a prescriptive list of documents that could be accepted as evidence of identity; each claimant was required to provide two of the documents on that list. It soon became apparent that this was not the best way to establish identity in many cases. Such rules particularly disadvantaged the vulnerable and socially excluded.
Revised guidance was issued to all local authorities in July 1999. This guidance stresses the importance of looking at the whole picture presented by a claimant and their circumstances. It allows local authorities to build a picture to support a person's claim using different sources of evidence. The new guidance deliberately does not contain a prescriptive list of acceptable documentary evidence.
The Verification Framework does provide guidance as to the level of confidence that can be applied to various commonly submitted documents relating to ID.
§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he gives landlords about what they should do if a potential tenant is unable to produce any forms of identification acceptable to local authority housing benefit officers to comply with the verification framework. [113772]
§ Angela EagleThe verification framework sets standards for local authorities to follow in establishing entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not give guidance to landlords on identity requirements as decisions on letting property are distinct from decisions on benefit entitlement. Where a person is unsure whether 52W or not they might get Housing Benefit, it is advisable for them to make inquiries of their local authority before entering into an agreement to pay rent.
§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he gives local authorities on telling potential tenants what are accepted proofs of identification to comply with the housing benefit verification framework. [113771]
§ Angela EagleThe verification framework requires local authorities to make it clear on their claim forms what documentary evidence the claimant will need to supply. However, when establishing identity there is no specific list of documents which claimants must supply. Indeed, to have such a list would cause problems for those claimants who are most vulnerable, as they are least likely to have specific documents.
The framework requires local authorities to look at each case on its merits when examining supporting evidence. Where a claimant has little or no documentary evidence of identity, the local authority should give consideration as to why that is when considering how to progress the case.