Housing benefit entitlement for prisoners on temporary release due to coronavirus outbreak

New DWP guidance confirms that relaxation of entitlement rules will expire eight months from 13 March 2020

The DWP has issued new guidance on housing benefit entitlement for prisoners on temporary release due to the coronavirus outbreak.

In HB Circular A8/2020, the DWP provides guidance on the Social Security (Coronavirus)(Prisoners) Regulations 2020 (SI.No.409/2020) - that include an amendment of  housing benefit regulations (SI.No.213/2006 and SI.No.214/2006) to enable successful claims from prisoners who are on temporary release due to the COVID-19 outbreak - advising that -

‘The effect of the change is to allow the prisoners on temporary release to be treated as if they are not prisoners and therefore allow them to claim housing benefit, subject to them meeting the usual conditions of entitlement to housing benefit.

This amendment ceases to apply eight months from 13 March 2020.’

HB Circular A8/2020 is available from gov.uk