§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is issued to social fund adjudicating officers in cases where an application is made prior to establishing a fair rent on the applicant's tenancy. [24128]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe Secretary of State's directions 12(o), 23(f) and 29(d) exclude a payment of a budgeting loan, crisis loan or community care grant respectively to meet housing costs, including rent. There is an exception to this rule for both budgeting loans and crisis loans for rent in advance where the landlord is not a local authority. Other exceptions which apply to these loans are charges for board and lodging accommodation and residential charges for hostels, other than for deposits. In the case of budgeting loans this is where such charges are payable in advance to secure accommodation. There is no guidance on the rent exclusion, since the directions are self explanatory. The Secretary of State's directions and guidance to social fund officers are contained in the social fund guide, a copy of which is held in the Library.
With the exceptions referred to above, the reason for excluding help with rent from the social fund is to avoid duplication of help from the housing benefit scheme. There are procedures in place to ensure that both local authorities and rent officers make timeous determinations of claims and that payment on account is made where a delay is not due to the claimant failing to supply all the necessary information.