Hi

Since 2003 Supporting People have covered the alarm charge in sheltered schemes. I have a query with regard to repairs and maintenance of alarms, would this be considered an eligible service charge which could be covered by Housing Benefit? If so where in the regs would it be found?

Thanks

HBR 12(3) & Sch 1; para 1(c) applies <HBR 2006 regs>.

The relevant wording is from sch 1:

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1. The following service charges shall not be eligible to be met by housing benefit—

(c) charges in respect of the provision of an emergency alarm system;

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In my view, the word "provision" isn't limited to installation. The context is "on-going". Maintenance and repairs would be "in respect of the provision". But, if you want to try arguing otherwise, you just never know.

Regards

Nothing more to add to the above, other than to say that if the alarm service is SP funded, and the costs apportioned under Transitional Housing Benefit included an element for maintenance, the service should be delivered free to all tenants in receipt of HB.

Interested though in any views on the legality of surcharges levied by some providers to bridge the gap between their shrinking SP grant and rising operating costs...