“SECTION 1Claims and information

Interpretation104A.

In this Section—

“administering authority” means an authority administering housing benefit;

“the Department” means the Department, the Department for Employment and Learning or a person providing services to either Department;

“relevant information” means information or evidence relating to the administration of claims for or awards of housing benefit.

Collection of information104B.

(1)

The Department may receive or obtain relevant information from—

(a)

persons making, or who have made, claims for housing benefit; or

(b)

other persons in connection with such claims.

(2)

In paragraph (1) references to persons who have made claims for housing benefit include persons to whom awards of benefit have been made on those claims.

Verifying information104C.

The Department may verify relevant information supplied to, or obtained by, it in accordance with regulation 104B.

Recording and holding information104D.

Where the Department obtains relevant information or such information is supplied to it, it—

(a)

shall make a record of such information; and

(b)

may hold that information, whether as supplied or obtained or recorded, for the purpose of forwarding it to the person or authority for the time being administering housing benefit.

Forwarding of information104E.

Where the Department holds relevant information it—

(a)

shall forward it to the person or authority for the time being administering claims for or awards of housing benefit to which the relevant information relates, being—

(i)

an administering authority;

(ii)

a person providing services to an administering authority, or

(iii)

a person authorised to exercise any function of an administering authority relating to housing benefit; and

(b)

may continue to hold a record of such information, whether as supplied or obtained or recorded, for such period as it considers appropriate.

Request for information104F.

Where the Department holds information or evidence relating to social security matters it shall forward such information or evidence as may be requested to the person or authority making that request, provided that—

(a)

the request is made by—

(i)

an administering authority;

(ii)

a person providing services to an administering authority, or

(iii)

a person authorised to exercise any function of an administering authority relating to housing benefit;

(b)

the information or evidence requested includes relevant information;

(c)

the Department is able to provide the information or evidence requested in the form in which it was originally supplied or obtained; and

(d)

provision of the information or evidence requested is considered necessary by the Department to the proper performance by an administering authority of its functions relating to housing benefit.

SECTION 2Information from landlords and agents”.