Funding Furniture in Housing Benefit Claims for Tenants with Additional Needs. For the Furniture Resource Centre

1. Funding Furniture
Michael Patterson:
Support Solutions
September 2013

2. Key Question
The provision of furniture packages
to some tenants in general needs
and in supported/sheltered housing
has always been necessary; but
how is it funded and does it make a
difference if you’re a vulnerable
tenant?

3. Universal Credit Service Charge
Under the new Universal Credit Service
Charge regulations, furniture & white
goods are fundable:
“Charges relating to the rental of basic furniture
or essential domestic appliances to tenants in
the accommodation they occupy, only where
the items being rented remain the property of
the original owner and do not form part of a
purchase or part-ownership agreement”.

4. Tenants Claiming Universal Credit
What is meant by “basic furniture or
essential domestic appliances”?
What is a reasonable charge?
The 2nd may often define the 1st
Custom and practice is/will be established
at local level.
Some blots on the landscape: VAT
component allegedly unfundable.

5. Tenants in Exempt Accommodation?
Tenants who are “vulnerable” (supported/sheltered
housing)
What is Exempt Accommodation?
 Landlord: County Council, Registered Provider, Charity or
Voluntary Agency
With a legal interest in property (ownership or lease)
 In which they accommodate someone in need of “care, support
& supervision”
 The “care, support & supervision” should be provided by the
landlord or an agent on its behalf.
Tenants in Exempt Accommodation:

6. Tenants in Exempt Accommodation
Have the housing component of their Universal
credit separately administered by the local authority
through the Exempt Accommodation rules.
Are entitled to enhanced levels of HB, including (but
not limited to) service charge elements for furniture
and white goods and much else.
Are exempt from the “Bedroom Tax”
Are exempt from the Benefit Cap
Rent is paid direct to the Landlord.

7. Tenants in Exempt Accommodation
Local authorities reclaim from the DWP what they pay
out through the Exempt Accommodation rules
Probably more generous than Universal Credit service
charge and for good reason
Some argument over what constitutes Exempt
Accommodation
Exempt Accommodation scenarios are good for a lot
more than just furniture packages, but they’re good for
those too.
Quite a few vulnerable social tenants don’t live in
Exempt Accommodation

8. Vulnerable Tenants Not In Exempt
Accommodation
 Supported/Sheltered housing schemes that fall
foul of the Exempt Accommodation rules, for
example, because they’re agency managed
 And where public subsidy is paid for the
provision for support
 No “Bedroom Tax”
 No Benefit Cap
 Not clear whether Universal Credit service
charges or Exempt Accommodation rules apply
but either way furniture is fundable.

9. What About Vulnerable Tenants in
General Needs?
Might be vulnerable over the short or longer
term
Tenancy sustainment and floating support
Requires additional housing management
services, including but not limited to furniture.
We believe that it’s Exempt Accommodation;
however, also fundable through the Universal
Credit service charge

10. Our Contact Details
Media House
3 Drayton Road
Birmingham B14 7LP
0845 271 3080
www.supportsolutions.co.uk
info@supportsolutions.co.uk
Twitter @suppsolutions
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