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Published byEdith Reed Modified over 9 years ago
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Department for Work and Pensions Carol Foster-Middleton Housing Benefit Strategy Division
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I work for a policy team in DWP responsible for housing benefit and data sharing issues. We are introducing new rules for people on housing benefit. And making changes to data sharing legislation that will affect local authorities.
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New Housing Benefit Rules Will apply to disabled people and others who need overnight care. Extra housing benefit will be awarded to help with the cost of a sleepover room for a carer who stays overnight. Takes effect from April 2011. Customers will have to prove they or their partner need a carer, and have an extra room.
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New Housing Benefit Rules Local authority housing benefit staff may want evidence that the customer/partner requires a carer. Guidance will suggest they contact local social services to see if person is known to them. Social services may be asked to confirm a carer is being provided or is required.
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New Housing Benefit Rules Social services can help by: (a) Sharing information they hold about clients who need overnight care; (b) Helping to raise awareness about the new rules, when they know of clients who might be eligible.
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New Housing Benefit Rules Welfare rights and other organisations can help by: (a) Informing clients about the new rules; (b) Helping them to apply for the extra benefit.
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New data share rules There are strict rules about when people’s personal data can be shared or used for other purposes. Social services cant normally share data unless the client has given consent. DWP can share social security data with local authorities, but only to help administer benefits.
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New data share rules We are introducing new powers that will allow: (a) DWP to share social security data with social services for the purpose of deciding how much a client should pay towards the cost of domiciliary or residential care; (b) Social services to tell DWP and HB teams when a person has gone into hospital, residential care, or needs an overnight carer at home.
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New data share rules These new rules will be included in the Welfare Reform Bill shortly to be published in draft. Once published, we will consult on these proposals. But already know local authorities keen to use social security data for local schemes and services. And customers would welcome this as it means not having to tell different bits of government the same information.
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New data share rules If these powers are supported in Parliament, they will come into force in April 2012. In meantime, any data shared for these purposes must only be shared where customer has consented. We are developing guidance which will include model consent form that local authorities can use.
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Conclusion To sum up, we need your help to raise awareness about the new housing benefit rules; We want to hear your views about the proposed data share changes; We want to encourage social services and housing benefit teams to agree data share protocols pending the introduction of new powers.
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