§ 78. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the responsibilities(a) of local authorities in relation to the administration of housing benefit locally and (b) of his Department in relation to the administration of housing benefit centrally; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloLocal authorities are statutorily responsible for the administration of the housing benefit scheme which includes informing the public about the scheme, determining claims, making payments and reviewing decisions on appeal. It also includes making payments to householders who qualify for housing benefit because they are in receipt of supplementary benefit (from April 1988 income support). The detailed rules and benefit rates which determine entitlement are set out in regulations issued by the Department. The Department is responsible for issuing guidance on the regulations and determining the arrangements for reimbursing most of the costs of the scheme incurred by local authorities. Information is collected centrally both to enable subsidy payments to be made and to inform Ministers, Parliament and the public on the costs and operation of the scheme nationally.