Schedule 7 HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT INDICATORS

This indicator is to be determined by reference to a written security strategy prepared by the authority before 31st March of 2001, which commits it, as a minimum, to undertaking two of the following sets of activities, and the initiatives specified therein are observably in use:

1. (1)

   operating a system of guidance entitled the “Verification Framework”^f1 which is made available to local authorities by the Department of Social Security to improve accuracy and to prevent fraud and error from entering the benefit system;

2. (2)

   operating a policy for prosecution which details the circumstances in which cases would be considered for prosecution or for the application of other sanctions, and which is observably complied with;

3. (3)

   operating at least three of the following initiatives which are observably in use:

   1. (a)

      the Post Office is, on the application of the local authority, preventing social security post sent by or on behalf of the authority from being redirected in accordance with the provisions of Section 182A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992^f2;

   2. (b)

      the local authority is periodically providing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims data to the Department of Social Security for the purpose of electronic data-matching with Departmental benefit claims records (this service, which is made available by the Department, is known as the Housing Benefit Matching Service);

   3. (c)

      the local authority is a signatory to a current agreement with each local office of the Benefits Agency with which it liaises on matters concerning Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit which sets out the expectations and obligations of both sides for a minimum level of efficient liaison, and that agreement is based on the model national service level agreement drawn up by the Department of Social Security and representatives of the Local Authority Associations;

   4. (d)

      the local authority is a signatory to a current agreement with each local office of the Benefits Agency with which it liaises on matters concerning Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit which sets out the expectations and obligations of both sides for a minimum level of efficient counter-fraud activity, and that agreement is based on the model fraud service level agreement drawn up by the Department of Social Security and representatives of the Local Authority Associations.

This indicator is based on the costs which local authorities report they incur to administer Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. The information used is that contained in the financial return made to the Secretary of State under section 168(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the “General Fund Services Revenue Account Return form”^f3.

Definition of terms and guidance on measuring performance against this indicator are set out in Circular S1/2000 on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit^f4.

Speed of processing:

1. (a)

   Average time for processing new claims.

This indicator measures the average processing time taken in respect of all new claims for which the date of determination is within the period being reported on. The time for each claim is measured from the date of receipt of the claim to the date of full determination.

Definitions of terms and guidance on measuring performance against this indicator are set out in The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Guide for 2000–2001 produced by the Department of Social Security (the “2000–2001 Guide”)^f5.

Speed of processing:

1. (b)

   Average time for processing notifications of changes of circumstances.

This indicator measures the average processing time taken in respect of all written notifications of changes which require a re-determination for which the date of re-determination is within the period being reported on. The meaning of re-determination is limited to those cases where notifications affect the person’s right to benefit; or the amount of their benefit entitlement; or their right to receive payment of benefit.

Definitions of terms and guidance on measuring performance against this indicator are set out in the 2000–2001 Guide.

Speed of processing:

1. (c)

   Percentage of renewal claims processed on time.

This indicator measures the number of renewal claims determined before the end of the existing benefit period as a percentage in respect of all renewal claims for which the date of determination is within the period being reported on.

Definitions of terms and guidance on measuring performance against this indicator are set out in the 2000–2001 Guide.

Accuracy of processing:

1. (a)

   Percentage of cases for which the calculation of the amount of benefit due was correct on the basis of the information available for the determination for a sample of cases checked post-determination.

This indicator measures the percentage of cases within a random sample for which the calculation of benefit is found to be correct.

Definitions of terms and guidance on measuring performance against this indicator are set out in the 2000–2001 Guide and Circular S1/2000 on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

Accuracy of processing:

1. (b)

   The percentage of recoverable overpayments (excluding Council Tax Benefit) that were recovered in the year.

This indicator measures the value of cash recovered during the period being reported on as a percentage of the value of recoverable overpayments identified by the authority on or after 1st April 2000.

Definitions of terms and guidance on measuring performance against this indicator are set out in the 2000–2001 Guide.