To begin this process you will need to complete our online enquiry form.
Supported Exempt Accommodation Provider Enquiry
This form is to be completed by the landlord of the supported housing scheme.
Please provide as much detail as possible with supporting evidence where possible.
Notes: Supported Housing
Relevant legislation
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006, Paragraphs 4 and 5.
- Housing Benefit and Universal Credit (Supported Accommodation) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 - amending Regulations effective 10 April 2014.
The amending regulations, from 10 April 2014, retained the definition of ‘supported exempt accommodation’ as contained within paragraphs (4) and (5) of the HB & CTB (CP) Regulations 2006, and included it within a wider definition of supported housing collectively termed ‘specified accommodation’
The amendments mean that the ‘housing costs’ for accommodation falling within the remit of specified accommodation will not be met under the housing element of Universal Credit and will not be included in the benefit cap calculation. Until the introduction of a new model for funding supported housing, housing costs for specified accommodation will be met through Housing Benefit.
Housing Benefit for supported exempt accommodation is determined under the rules contained within paragraphs (4) and (5) of the HB & CTB (CP) Regulations 2006. Housing Benefit for the other categories of specified accommodation is determined under Housing Benefit Regulation 12B, the rules for the social rented sector, or Housing Benefit Regulation 12C, if there is a requirement to refer the rent to the Rent Officer. Local Housing Allowance rules (Housing Benefit Regulation 12D) do not apply to specified accommodation. Please provide as much detail as possible with supporting evidence where possible.
(1) Supported exempt accommodation
A resettlement place, or accommodation which is provided by a county council, housing association, registered charity or voluntary organisation where that body, or person acting on their behalf, provides the claimant with care, support or supervision on more than a minimal basis.
(2) Managed properties
Cases which do not meet the definition of ‘supported exempt accommodation’ solely because care, support or supervision isn't provided by the landlord or on their behalf, often due to the funding/care structures in place.
Conditions apply in that:
- The property is provided by one of the specified social and third sector organisations as in category (1)
- The claimant is admitted upon the condition that they are in need of, and in agreement to receive, the care, support or supervision that is attached to the accommodation
- Care, support or supervision cannot be ‘floating support’ provided in standard social or third sector housing.
An indication of need may be shown through the provision of public funding for the care, support or supervision, although this is not a mandatory requirement. Another consideration would be if the accommodation has been commissioned, designed or designated as supported housing by the Local Authority or other appropriate statutory body.
(3) Refuges
Temporary refuge accommodation provided by the same group of third and social sector landlords, but also a Local Authority, where the resident is accommodated because they are fleeing their home as a result of domestic violence. Domestic abuse does not need to be from within the household but other types of violence that may occur in a domestic setting, such as violence by a neighbour or landlord etc.
Some refuge accommodation may fall under categories (1) or (2)
(4) LA Hostels
Hostels provided by a Local Authority and not by same group of third and social sector landlords that are required under categories (1) and (2), where care, support or supervision is provided.
A ‘hostel is that defined in Housing Benefit Regulation 2(1) as that which is in domestic shared accommodation with either board or facilities for the preparation of food.
Some hostels may fall under categories (1) or (2).
Once completed, a member of the team will be in touch to discuss the next steps and how we can move your application forward.
Step-by-step guide
- Complete the online enquiry form. This will be submitted electronically to the Supported Accommodation Officer.
- The officer will check the enquiry form. A decision will then be made as to whether or not the application will be accepted or refused based on the information provided. Where an enquiry form is rejected or further information is required, we will contact you.
- If the enquiry form has been accepted an email will be sent requesting full details of the scheme, the email will include a link to the full application process. Providers will also be expected to supply the following documents:
- Staff structure breakdown
- Rent breakdown including eligible and ineligible service charges
- A signed head lease for each of the properties
- Copy of all service level agreements that are in place
- Copies of support plans for each resident ensuring it is signed and dated by the resident and the support worker.
- The Supported Accommodation Officer from Housing Benefit will then use the information provided and consider the content of the application and rent breakdown. If necessary the scheme will be discussed with stakeholders and commissioners. If required, further information will be requested from providers.
- Arrangements will be made for the Supported Accommodation Project Officer to visit the properties within the scheme. As part of this visit, checks will be made against the initial application including an assessment of the quality of the support and property standards.
- The Housing Benefit team will then meet to discuss the outcome of the visits. It is at this point that a decision will be made on whether Housing Benefit applications will be accepted. Rent charges will then be checked and verified in order for an agreement to be made on how much the Authority will pay.