Could somebody please clarify something for me please..

As per Schedule 1 (ineligible charges) a reduction of £13.20 per week should be made within the rent of an claimant who receives part board, £19.85 for full board etc.

However if a service provided to that claimant provides part board at a real cost of £16.00 per week would the remaining £2.80 be eligible to be paid as an eligible service charge???

Your response would be greatly appreciated.

With food charges, the deductions are standard and absolute, irrespective of the real cost. There is no provision to vary the deduction. Same schedule applies as quoted by you.

Regards

Thanks Kevin much appreciated,

I realise that there is no provision to vary the deduction, however is the remainder of the actual food charges eligible to be met by HB if the real cost is over and above the threshold or does this have to be met by tenant?

Regards

Once the deduction is made then the remainder of the charge is eligible for HB. There is no fixed limit on this other than the general provisions of reasonableness as HB can ask for a justification of the meals charges. We have been operating this way for years with a number of local authorities with only a few problems now and again.

Kind regards for your advice