§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether rent and rate rebates are adjustable as soon as earnings change; and how this system works in practice.
§ Mr. StanleyIf there is a change in a rebate recipient's circumstances which he might reasonably be expected to know may affect his rebate entitlement, he has to notify the local authority, which then has a duty to reassess his entitlement.
Downward adjustment of rent rebate takes effect from such date as the authority considers appropriate. Upward adjustments are to be effective for any rental period starting after the change in earnings. Provisions for adjustments of rate rebate are broadly similar.
Authorities normally make any necessary adjustments to rebates as soon as possible after a change in earnings has been notified to them.