§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what current weekly amounts are deducted from housing benefit for (a) heating, (b) cooking, (c) hot water and (d) lighting.
§ Mr. MajorThe treatment of charges for heating, hot water, cooking or lighting varies between standard and certificated housing benefit cases.
Standard Cases
In standard cases, amenity charges for fuel are excluded from assistance. Gross rent is reduced by the amount of the charge or, if not known, by an amount which the local authority considers fairly attributable to the amenity.
Certified cases
In certified cases (that is people in receipt of qualifying supplementary benefit), the weekly amount deducted from rent varies according to the actual amenity charge and whether full or partial heating is provided. Where the claimant pays a charge which varies (or is subsequently adjusted) according to actual consumption, the amount of the charge is deducted from the rent. Where the claimant is required to pay a fixed amenity charge as a condition of the tenancy and the charge provides for the full fuel needs of the home, the deduction made is the actual charge subject to the following limits: 439W
£ heating 6.55 hot water 0.80 cooking 0.80 lighting 0.50 Where, however, a claimant can choose to pay a fixed charge for fuel, the whole amount is deducted from the rent.
A reduced deduction is normally made where a charge is made for partial heating.