Service User Information
This section also has an associated excel file:
 |
All service users in receipt of any amount of Housing Benefit are entitled to full subsidy for their support charge from the Supporting People team. |
|
 |
New Tenants and Requirements
Service users that do not appear on your Tenant Subsidy Schedule and are in receipt of Housing Benefit can be added to the payments provided the Supporting People Team are sent proof of their Housing Benefit eligibility.
1. A copy of the service user’s Housing Benefit eligibility letter from their respective district or borough council.
2. Direct notification to the Supporting People team from Housing Benefit departments with consent from the tenant.
In the majority of cases, the Housing Benefit eligibility proof will be sent via the landlord or service provider.
If the service user receives Housing Benefit unknowingly to the service provider, their proof of eligibility can be sent to the Supporting People team directly from themselves.
It is essential that we receive a
copy of new service users Housing Benefit eligibility or official
confirmation as this is required for an audit trail to the
payments that Supporting People makes.
For new service users no subsidy will be paid until the Supporting People team receives acceptable proof of Housing Benefit eligibility.
Once this is received by Supporting People, subsidies will commence and be backdated to the eligibility start date, so long as it is within three months. Periods longer than three months will not be paid automatically but will be considered on a case by case basis.
Monitoring Your Payments
With each payment, providers with Block Subsidy Contracts are sent Tenant Subsidy Schedules. These schedules detail service users entitled to Supporting People subsidy. Please check these schedules carefully for anomalies with addresses and names of service users. As providers you may not know who is or is not eligible for Housing Benefit but you should be able to confirm who is living in your property or receiving your support.
Service User/Tenancy Changes
You will need to notify the Supporting People team of any changes or tenant movements at schemes within Block Subsidy contracts. This can be done by completing the Service User/Tenancy Changes form.
In brief, one side is for completion by the provider and the reverse side is a guide with a key as to what coding can be used for the descriptive reason of change in tenancy or service user.
If for any reason
you find the coding key inadequate for a tenancy or service
user change, please write a brief description in the comments
field.
Please remember if you are notifying the Supporting People team of a new service user who is in receipt of housing benefit we must receive a copy of their eligibility letter to add them to the payments.
|
Tenancy
Change forms can be obtained by calling Supporting
People Administration on 01473 581832
or emailing
us. |
|
|
Fairer Charging Assessment
Any service user in a chargeable service is entitled to request a Fairer Charging Assessment.
The Fairer Charging Assessment is a means test which people should be encouraged to apply for, if they are not in receipt of housing benefit.
Supporting People
in Suffolk employs a Fairer Charging Assessment officer. If
service users have any questions regarding charges or completing
their application, please contact 01473 581832.
Due to the Data Protection Act, we are unable to tell providers exactly who is in receipt of a fairer charge, unless the client has signed the declaration form giving permission for us to inform you.
|
Fairer Charging application forms and leaflets can be requested from the Supporting People team. If you wish to have a stock, please contact Supporting People Administration on
01473 581832. |
|
|
Secure Tenancies (Fair Rent)
With secure tenancies the actual figure
payable by the tenant for the ‘rent’ includes
support costs and is subject to the rent officer. If the rent
officer determines that the charge should be less than that
requested by the provider then Supporting People will pay
the rent officers amount.
If the tenancy subsequently ends and is relet as an Assured tenancy then Supporting People will pay the revised Assured amount. When the service charge is re-registered, if the support element is increased then Supporting People will pay the new amount from the date that the increase is applicable.
Absences
Absences from the service for any length of time may still be covered by Supporting People. For example, hospital, long holidays. Supporting People payment will cease if either the tenancy is terminated or eligibility for housing benefit ends.
Prisoners
Sentenced prisoners are eligible for SP Subsidy if their absence from home (including any time spent on remand) does not exceed 13 weeks.
Monthly Tenancies
Monthly tenancies will have the SP subsidy adjusted on a daily basis by our automated payment system.
|
