Appendix A Standard Benefit Claim Letter Private Accommodation

LEEDSCITY COUNCIL LOGO

Pathway Planning Team

Leeds Children & Young People's Social Care

Hunslet Hall Annexe

Disraeli Terrace

Leeds

LS11 6UA

CLIENT NAME:D.O.B:

N.I. NUMBER:

CURRENT ADDRESS:

TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION AND TENANCY:

PLACEMENT TYPENAME OF LANDLORD

ADDRESS OF LANDLORD

Dear Sir/Madam,

This letter is provided to verify the identity of the above named young person and to confirm and clarify his/her circumstances.

The above named young person was previously placed in private accommodation by Leeds Children & Young People's Social Care at the above address. As the young person has now reached the age of eighteen and (he/she) isdeemed ‘independent in (his/her)own right’ and is liable for accommodation costs of £110.00 per week, excluding utility and support charges. The information provided below sets out (his/her) legal status and financial circumstances.

I can confirm that (Add Full Name) was previously an ‘Eligible’ child, or an ‘Eligible’ and ‘Relevant’ child and became a ‘Former Relevant’ child on (Date) as defined by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.

  1. I can also confirm that (Add Full Name) was previously ‘Looked After’ by Leeds Children & Young People's Social Careand was ‘Accommodated’ under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989.
  1. I can also confirm that (Add Full Name) was previously ‘Looked After’ by Leeds Children & Young People's Social Careand was subject to a Section 31 Care Order under the terms of the Children Act 1989.

(Add Full Name) ceased to be ‘Looked After’ on (Date) and will continue to receive practical support and, in specific circumstances, financial help from Leeds Children & Young People's Social Careunder Section 24 of the Children Act 1989 or Section 23C of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. Section 23C and Section 24 payments must be declared when claiming benefits but are not be counted as income for welfare benefit purposes. Whilst (Add Full Name) is establishing his/her welfare benefit claim he/she will be provided with a £51.85personal allowance under these powers.

  1. As (Add Full Name) has now become a ‘Former Relevant’ child and ceased to be ‘Looked After’, I believe he/she will be entitled to claim Job Seekers Allowance at the rate of £51.85 per week and full Local Housing Allowance/Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
  1. As (Add Full Name) has now become a ‘Former Relevant’ child, has ceased to be ‘Looked After’ and is engaged on a traineeship at the rate of £51.85 per week, I believe he/she will be entitled to claim full Local Housing Allowance/Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
  1. As (Add Full Name) has now become a ‘Former Relevant’ child, has ceased to be ‘Looked After’ and is engaged on a modern apprenticeship traineeship at the rate of (Add Amount per week, I believe he/she will be entitled to claim full Local Housing Allowance/Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
  1. As (Add Full Name) has now become a ‘Former Relevant’ child, has ceased to be ‘Looked After’, remains estranged from his/her parents and is covered by the relevant education criteria, I believe he/she will be entitled to claim Income Support at the rate of £51.85 per week and full Local Housing Allowance/Housingand Council Tax Benefit.
  1. As (Add Full Name) has now become a ‘Former Relevant’ child, has ceased to be ‘Looked After’, remains estranged from his/her parents and has been given a ‘fit note’ by his/her Doctor, I believe he/she will be entitled to claim Employment and Support Allowance and full Local Housing Allowance/Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
  1. As (Add Full Name) has now become a ‘Former Relevant’ child, has ceased to be ‘Looked After’ and is earning a low income, I believe he/she will be entitled to claim Local Housing Allowance/Housing and Council Tax Benefit. Please find attached relevant wage slips/prove of income.
  1. As (Add Full Name) has now become a ‘Former Relevant’ child, has ceased to be ‘Looked After’ and is temporarily unable to submit a claim for means tested benefits, Leeds Pathway Planning Team will provide a £5.00 allowance under Section 23C of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. As this payment will constitute a low income, I believe he/she will be entitled to claim Local Housing Allowance/Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

As (Add Full Name) was ‘Looked After’ on/or after his/her sixteenth birthday he/she is exempt from the single room rent restriction.

AAs (Add Full Name) was previously ‘Looked After’ and remains vulnerable I would request that the Local Housing Allowance is paid directly to Leeds Children & Young People's Social Care as an agent of the landlord. Leeds Children & Young People's Social Care will continue to pay the landlord the combined accommodation and support cost to avoid any disruption to the landlord’s payments. The payment should be made to Leeds Children & Young People's Social Care, Reference Pathway Planning LHA – Account Number 00000000, Sort Code 57 12 72. If you require any further information regarding payments please contact: Barbara Chapman, Senior Finance Officer, Children and Young People's Payments Team, 3rd Floor East, Merrion House, Merrion Way. Leeds. LS2 8QB. Telephone 0113 2478640

Leeds Benefits Service Creditor Number is 224976

BAs (Add Full Name) was previously ‘Looked After’ and remains vulnerable I would request that the Local Housing Allowance is paid directly to his or her Landlord.

(Add specific information)

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully

Approved Signatures

Pathway Planning Team, Service Manager

* Please complete, or delete, either section A or B and the relevant sections 1 to 5. All other sections must be completed.

Information about disregarding Social Services payments to care leavers.

Welfare Benefits Handbook; Child Poverty Action Group: 2007/2008

Chapter 36: Income: means-tested benefits

Part 4 Common benefit rules

Page 876

Payments by social services

A payment under s17 of the Children Act 1989 from a social services department or, in Scotland, a payment from a social work department under section 12 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 is ignored. Payments made by local authorities to young people who have previously been in care or been looked after by social services (in England and Wales under section 23B, 23C, 24, 24A or 24B of the Children Act 1989, in Scotland under section 24 or 26 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968) are also ignored. But if you or your partner are involved in a trade dispute or, for IS, it is paid during the first 15 days following your return to work after the dispute, it counts as income for IS and income-based JSA.139

139IS Sch 9 para 28 IS Regs

JSA Sch 7 para 29 JSA Regs

HB Sch 5 para 28 HB Regs

CTB Sch 4 para 29 CTB Regs

1