§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he is implementing to provide Benefits Agency staff with training in issues relating to housing benefit; and how he intends to improve the recovery of overpayments of housing benefit. [11259]
§ Malcolm WicksAll new operational staff working on income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance receive housing benefit awareness training.
538WIn June 2000, in order to promote improved benefit administration in local authorities, the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate produced a good practice guide, a copy of which was issued to each local authority. This is based on tried and tested practice in better-performing authorities. The guide includes a section on overpayment recovery, covering the prevention and identification of overpayments as well as options for recovery.
In June 2001 we introduced streamlined procedures for local authorities to recover housing benefit overpayments from prescribed social security benefits administered by the Benefits Agency. These procedures apply in cases where housing benefit is no longer in payment. Local authorities have been given guidance about the types of cases they should refer and new simplified referral forms have been introduced.
The new procedures ensure that both the Benefits Agency and local authorities are operating standard referral and recovery procedures. They also provide tighter control of the recovery process and are being actively monitored to ensure their effectiveness.