The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Order 1998

PART II E+W+S CLAIMS FOR AND PAYMENT OF SUBSIDY

Interpretation of Parts II and IV E+W+S

2.  In this Part and also in Part IV, unless the context otherwise requires—

• F1 ...

• F2 ...

• “claim" means an initial claim, mid-year claim [F3 or a final claim], as the case may be;

• “claim form" means the form supplied by the Secretary of State pursuant to article 4(2)(a), (b) or (c)F4 ..., as the case may be;

• [F5 “electronic communication” has the same meaning as in section 15(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000]

• F6 ...

• “final claim" means a claim for subsidy pursuant to article 4(2)(c);

• “final subsidy" means any subsidy which is not interim subsidy [F7 or an amount paid, withheld or deducted pursuant to article 8A];

• [F8 “HBAP” means the Housing Benefit Assurance Process published by the Department for Work and Pensions on 29th March 2017 and last updated on [F9 17th April 2023] ;]

• “initial claim" means a claim for subsidy pursuant to article 4(2)(a);

• “interim subsidy" means subsidy pursuant to articles F10 ... 8(1) or 9(4), as the case may be;

• “mid-year claim" means a claim for subsidy pursuant to article 4(2)(b);

• “the form" means a printed document or any other format upon which a claim may be set out, or any combination of such formats or alternative formats, as the Secretary of State determines; and

• “the relevant office" means such office as may be designated by the Secretary of State.

• [F8 “report of factual findings” means the report completed by the reporting accountant in accordance with HBAP setting out the details of, and the relevant matters arising from, the test;]

• [F8 “test” means a test of the claim for final subsidy by the authority and the reporting accountant in accordance with HBAP and “tested” shall be construed accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in art. 2 omitted (31.10.2021) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) and Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Amendment Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(a)

F2 Words in art. 2 omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by virtue of Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/369) , arts. 1(1) , 3(2)

F3 Words in art. 2 substituted (31.10.2021) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) and Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Amendment Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(b)

F4 Words in art. 2 omitted (31.10.2021) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) and Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Amendment Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(c)

F5 Words in art. 2 inserted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(2)

F6 Words in art. 2 omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by virtue of Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/369) , arts. 1(1) , 3(2)

F7 Words in art. 2 inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/54) , arts. 1(1) , 2(2)

F8 Words in art. 2 inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(1)

F9 Words in art. 2 substituted (6.11.2023) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1040), arts. 1(1), 3 (with art. 2(2))

F10 Words in art. 2 omitted (14.12.1998) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/2865) , arts. 1(1) , 2

Conditions for payment of subsidy E+W+S

3.  Subject to articles 9(3) and 10, no final subsidy shall be paid unless the conditions specified in the following provisions of this Part have been complied with.

[F11 Electronic communications E+W+S

3A.— (1) The Secretary of State, an authority [F12 a reporting accountant or an auditor] may use an electronic communication in connection with any claim, [F13 test,] audit or payment of subsidy provided it is made in accordance with the provisions set out in Part 2 of Schedule 6.

(2) Any reference to an electronic communication in this Order means an electronic communication made in accordance with those provisions.

(3) Schedule 6 makes further provisions relating to electronic communications.]

Textual Amendments

F11 Art. 3A inserted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(3)

F12 Words in art. 3A(1) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(2)(a)

F13 Word in art. 3A(1) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(2)(b)

Requirement of claim E+W+S

4.—(1) The first condition is that subsidy shall be claimed in accordance with the provisions of and in the manner specified by this article.

(2) There shall be submitted by an authority to the Secretary of State, at the relevant office, on the form supplied by him to that authority [F14 or by means of an electronic communication], the following claims for subsidy, by reference to the amount of [F15 housing benefit] that that authority—

(a) estimates it will pay during the relevant year, by 1st March in the year preceding the relevant year;

(b) estimates it has up to that time and will by the end of that relevant year have paid, by 31st August in the relevant year;

(c) has paid in the relevant year, by [F16 30th April] in the following year.

(3) [F17 Except where an authority submits a claim by means of an electronic communication,] the final claim shall be copied to the authority’s auditor,

[F18 (a) in the case of an authority in England, the authority’s reporting accountant;

(b) in the case of an authority in Wales or Scotland, the authority’s auditor,

by 30th April in the following year]

F19 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F19 (4ZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F20 [F21 ( 4A ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4B) An authority in Wales shall—

(a) if required to do so by the Secretary of State, submit to him, at the relevant office, in any of the above claims or returns, or

(b) if required to do so by the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales, submit to him or, as the case may be, to them, at the relevant office, by way of an additional return on such form as is supplied by him or them [F22 or by means of an electronic communication] to that authority and not later than such date as he or they may require,

details in relation to subsidy in respect of rebates granted to tenants of dwellings within the authority’s Housing Revenue Account.]

(5) All claims and returns submitted by an authority consequent upon this article shall be signed [F23 or submitted by means of an electronic communication]—

(a) in the case of an authority in England or Wales, by [F24 the authority’s chief finance officer, as defined in section 5(8) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, or an officer to whom that officer has made a formal delegation];

(b) in the case of an authority in Scotland, by the proper officer pursuant to section 95 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 M1 .

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in art. 4(2) inserted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(4)(a)

F15 Words in art. 4(2) substituted (31.10.2021) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) and Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Amendment Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. 5 para. 3

F16 Words in art. 4(2)(c) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the commencing S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/266), arts. 1(1), 3

F17 Words in art. 4(3) inserted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(4)(c)

F18 Words in art. 4(3) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(3)

F19 Art. 4(4)(4ZA) omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2957), arts. 1(1), 2(1)(a)

F20 Art. 4(4A) omitted (5.2.2007) by virtue of Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(4)(d)

F21 Art. 4(4A)(4B) inserted (1.4.2004) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidiary to Authorities) Amendment Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/646) , art. 1(1) , Sch. 1 para. 2(a)

F22 Words in art. 4(4B) inserted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(4)(e)

F23 Words in art. 4(5) inserted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(4)(f)

F24 Words in art. 4(5)(a) substituted (1.4.2004) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidiary to Authorities) Amendment Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/646) , art. 1(1) , Sch. para. 2(b)

Marginal Citations

M1 1973 c.65 .

[F25 Requirement to keep records and provide information E+W+S

5.— (1) The second condition is that the authority submitting a claim shall–

(a) provide to the Secretary of State the information referred to in paragraph (2) [F26 in written or electronic form]; and

(b) keep and, where the Secretary of State requires it or it is otherwise appropriate to do so, produce records [F27 in written or electronic form] with a bearing on that claim.

(2) The information referred to in this paragraph is such information as the Secretary of State requires, or as may otherwise be necessary, to satisfy him that–

[F28 (za) in relation to an authority in England, the claim is in accordance with the report of factual findings and with the relevant articles of this Order;]

(a) [F29 in relation to an authority in Wales or Scotland,] the claim is [F30 fairly stated and in accordance with the relevant articles of this Order]; and

(b) any subsidy claimed or paid for the relevant year or for an earlier year has been properly claimed or paid in accordance with the provision of this Order or, as the case may be, the previous Orders.]

Textual Amendments

F25 Art. 5 substituted (14.12.1998) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/2865) , arts. 1(1) , 3

F26 Words in art. 5(1)(a) inserted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(5)(a)

F27 Words in art. 5(1)(b) inserted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(5)(b)

F28 Art. 5(2)(za) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(4)(a)

F29 Words in art. 5(2)(a) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(4)(b)

F30 Words in art. 5(2)(a) substituted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(5)(c)

[F31 Test and reporting requirement: authorities in England E+W+S

5A.— (1) In relation to an authority in England and subject to article 9(4), the third condition is that the authority shall—

(a) inform the Secretary of State in writing of the identity of the authority’s reporting accountant by 1st March in the year before the relevant year;

(b) procure the test of the final claim by the reporting accountant;

(c) send the report of factual findings to the Secretary of State by 30th November in the year after the relevant year; and

(d) comply with the following provisions of this article.

(2) The authority shall—

(a) provide such information in written or electronic form;

(b) keep, and where asked to do so, produce records in written or electronic form with a bearing on its claim,

as may be required by the reporting accountant to enable the reporting accountant to test the claim and to complete the report of factual findings.

(3) Where the authority does not inform the Secretary of State in writing of the identity of its reporting accountant by 1st March in the year before the relevant year, the Secretary of State may withhold payment of subsidy until the authority—

(a) informs the Secretary of State in writing of the identity of its reporting accountant; or

(b) provides reasons for the delay which the Secretary of State regards as satisfactory.

(4) No final subsidy shall be paid until—

(a) the authority’s reporting accountant has confirmed in writing that the claim has been tested; and

(b) the Secretary of State has received the report of factual findings.]

Textual Amendments

F31 Art. 5A inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(5)

Requirement of audit[F32 : authorities in Wales and Scotland] E+W+S

6.—(1)  [F33 In relation to an authority in Wales or Scotland,] subject to article 9(4), the third condition is that the authority

F34 (iza) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F34 (ia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) shall procure that their final claim is audited by the authority’s auditor by [F35 30th November] in the following year; and

(b) shall comply with the following provisions of this article.

(2) The authority shall—

(a) provide such information [F36 in written or electronic form]; and

[F37 (b) keep, and where asked to do so, produce records in written or electronic form with a bearing on its claim,

as may be required by the auditor or as may be otherwise required to enable that authority to show and its auditor to check, that that claim is fairly stated and in accordance with the relevant articles of this Order.]

[F38 (3) No final subsidy shall be paid until the authority’s auditor has certified on the claim for or by means of an electronic communication that the final claim is fairly stated and in accordance with the relevant articles of this Order.]

Textual Amendments

F32 Words in art. 6 heading inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(6)(a)

F33 Words in art. 6(1) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(6)(b)(i)

F34 Art. 6(1)(ia)(iza) omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(6)(b)(ii)

F35 Words in art. 6(1)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the commencing S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/30), arts. 1(1), 2

F36 Words in art. 6(2)(a) inserted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(6)(b)

F37 Art. 6(2)(b) substituted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(6)(c)

F38 Art. 6(3) substituted (5.2.2007) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26), arts. 1(1), 2(6)(d)

Final condition for the payment of subsidy E+W+S

7.  Subject to article 9(4), the fourth condition is that an authority shall satisfy the Secretary of State that its claim—

(a) is true and complete;

(b) is supported and, if appropriate, supplemented by all the information the Secretary of State requires; and

(c) fairly represents the expenditure in relation to [F39 housing benefit] incurred or likely to be incurred, as the case may be, by the authority in the relevant year.

Textual Amendments

F39 Words in art. 7(c) substituted (31.10.2021) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) and Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Amendment Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. 5 para. 4

In year instalments of subsidy E+W+S

8.—(1) Where an authority has submitted, by the due date—

(a) the initial claim [F40 and mid-year claim], as the case may be, in accordance with the requirements of this Part; and

(b) the conditions of this Part in relation to such claims have been complied with,

the Secretary of State shall pay each month, to each such authority that has submitted such claims as are by that date due, instalments of subsidy, in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) The instalments payable by way of interim subsidy to an authority under paragraph (1) shall be such amounts as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case, but the total amount of such instalments paid in the relevant year shall not exceed the amount which, in his estimation, is likely to be payable by way of final subsidy, taking account of any withholding, reducing or deducting of subsidy by him, following the submission and audit of that authority’s final claim.

Textual Amendments

F40 Words in art. 8(1)(a) substituted (31.10.2021) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) and Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Amendment Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. 5 para. 5

[F41 Payment of subsidy before [F42 test or] audit complete E+W+S

8A— (1) Where an authority has submitted the final claim by the due date in accordance with article 4(2)(c) but the claim has not yet been [F43 tested in accordance with article 5A or] audited in accordance with article 6 and—

(a) the Secretary of State estimates that the final subsidy will exceed the amount of interim subsidy that was paid to the authority in the relevant year, taking account of any withholding, reducing or deducting of subsidy by him, following the [F42 test or] audit of that authority’s final claim, he may pay subsidy in accordance with paragraph (2); or

(b) the Secretary of State estimates that the interim subsidy that was paid to the authority in the relevant year will exceed the amount of final subsidy, taking account of any withholding, reducing or deducting of subsidy by him, following the [F42 test or] audit of that authority’s final claim, he may withhold or deduct subsidy in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) The amounts that may be paid to, withheld or deducted from an authority under paragraph (1) shall be equal to the amount which the Secretary of State estimates is likely to be payable by way of final subsidy, taking account of any withholding, reducing or deducting of subsidy by him, following the [F42 test or] audit of that authority’s final claim.]

Textual Amendments

F41 Art. 8A inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/54) , arts. 1(1) , 2(4)

F42 Words in art. 8A inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(7)(a)

F43 Words in art. 8A(1) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(7)(b)

Payment of subsidy for the relevant year E+W+S

9.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and to any subsidy withheld, reduced or deducted in accordance with sections 140B(4) or 140C(3), as the case may be, where he is satisfied that—

(a) the authority has submitted its final claim;

[F44 (aa) in the case of an authority in England, the report of factual findings has been properly completed;]

(b) [F45 in the case of an authority in Wales or Scotland,] the auditor has audited and certified that claim; and

(c) the conditions of this Part have been complied with,

the Secretary of State shall pay to that authority final subsidy calculated in accordance with Part III.

[F46 (2) Any payment pursuant to paragraph (1) shall only be in respect of the balance of subsidy due after the Secretary of State—

(a) has deducted any interim subsidy paid during or in respect of the relevant year; [F47 and]

(b) has added or deducted, as the case may be, any amount paid, recovered or withheld pursuant to article 8A in respect of the relevant year;

F48 ( c ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F48 ( d ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

(3) The Secretary of State may pay subsidy under paragraph (1) once that submission, audit or certification, as the case may be, has occurred [F49 or, as the case may be, once the report of factual findings has been sent to the Secretary of State], despite it occurring after the time required in this Part.

(4) In a case where the third or fourth condition, as the case may be, are not met in relation to any authority, the Secretary of State may pay such amount of subsidy as he is satisfied will be due when that condition is met.

[F50 (5) In paragraph (1), a reference to paying final subsidy calculated in accordance with Part III may also be a reference to deducting or withholding subsidy, as the case may be.]

Textual Amendments

F44 Art. 9(1)(aa) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(8)(a)(i)

F45 Words in art. 9(1)(b) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(8)(a)(ii)

F46 Art. 9(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/54) , arts. 1(1) , 2(5)(a)

F47 Word in art. 9(2) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2957), arts. 1(1), 2(1)(b)(i)

F48 Art. 9(2)(c)(d) omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2957), arts. 1(1), 2(1)(b)(ii)

F49 Words in art. 9(3) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/985), arts. 1(1), 5(8)(b)

F50 Art. 9(5) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/54) , arts. 1(1) , 2(5)(b)

Transitional Protection Adjustments E+W+S

F51 9A  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F51 Art. 9A omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2957), arts. 1(1), 2(1)(c)

Estimating subsidy E+W+S

10.  If an authority has not, at the time specified in articles 4 or 6(1), as the case may be, complied with any condition specified in this Part, the Secretary of State may estimate the amount of any subsidy, including any interim subsidy, payable to that authority and he may employ for that purpose such criteria as he considers relevant.