alban
Income Project Officer, Age Concern England, Norbury
Member since 27th Jan 2004
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RE: PC Housing Costs in Sheltered Accom RSL leaseholds
Tue 25-May-04 08:45 AM |
Hi Supporting People became operational from April 2003 - before that time local authorities were supposed to identify all clients with service charges for support ('ineligible service charges' in HB or IS housing costs), and pay tenants transitional HB. This amount would determine each LA's supporting people budget from 2003. In the meantime LA's were also drawing up continuing contracts with support providers/landlords.
Through our national Age Concern Information Line we've heard of a few similar cases where the Pension Service has just noticed client is receiving ineligible service charges, removed that element from their Pension Credit and referred them to their local supporting people. As your local authority advised you there is transitional protection for people receiving HB/IS for support before April 2003 to ensure that the changes leave them no worse off, and anyone receiving HB will not be charged for their support services -- however owner occupiers in sheltered housing who moved in after April 2003 have less clear protection.
So far we've not heard of clients being left with shortfalls, but the two recent Rightsnet news stories about budget cuts are worrying.
We've got a Age Concern information sheet (IS/19) on supporting people, but unfortunately it's not currently on the net (being updated, should be available within a month) -- to get a copy call our information line 0800 009966
alban
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