Common use of Matters for Consideration Clause in Contracts

Matters for Consideration. The funding of DHP only represents a small percentage of the money paid in respect of housing costs paid by HB and UC. Even when a person is affected in any of the circumstances identified below or by any of the welfare reforms it will not guarantee that a payment will be made. Where an award of DHP is made it is likely to be for a short period to ensure the scheme remains flexible. All decisions are subject to the level of funds being available. The fund will be managed to ensure that support can be provided throughout the year. In all cases the claimant, partner and household members must demonstrate they have insufficient resources, through their income and capital, to meet their ongoing rent liability or pay the required rent in advance or deposit to secure a tenancy which is suitable for their housing needs. Other factors that may be taken into account are;  If the inability to meet the rent liability is due to a change in the award of HB or UC due to legislative changes in welfare benefits. In exceptional cases an award of DHP may be made in the short term to help the household adjust;  The extent of the shortfall and any steps taken by the claimant to reduce their rental liability;  The likelihood of an imminent change of circumstances that will increase the level of the HB or UC award for example, pregnancy where the addition of a child to the household would change the calculation of HB or UC or a single person whose 35th birthday is imminent;  If there is a real risk of homelessness due to eviction because of the shortfall. Priority will be given to applicants who are being supported by the council’s Housing Options Team or other agency providing similar support;  The impact of disability needs within the household on the accommodation requirements for which the benefit calculation does not make specific allowances;  The medical circumstances of the household affecting their ability to move to cheaper alternative accommodation;  If there has been a recent change of circumstances, which has negatively impacted on the ability to meet rent liability that was previously affordable;  If the property has been specifically adapted to meet the needs of a disabled member of the household or an additional bedroom is required as a result of health needs and this is supported by the award of Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance  Where a household has been affected by a restriction under the social sector size criteria it is expected that they are engaging with their housing provider in order to move to appropriately sized accommodation;  The level of indebtedness of the claimant and their family. DHPs will not to be paid in order to finance other debts;  The exceptional nature of the claimant and their family’s circumstances;  The length of time the DHP is being asked to support. DHP is not and should not be considered as a long term way around any current or future entitlement restrictions set out under legislation.  The steps the applicant plans to take should their application be successful to alleviate their position in preparation for when the payment ends which may include; o applying to the council’s housing register and are making bids on suitable homes; o making changes to the household budget in order to prioritise their rent payment o ensuring they are on the cheapest available tariff for their utility bills in order to increase the level of income which can be used to pay their rent liability o engaging with the Department for Work and Pensions with support to find work where it is appropriate to do so. This above list is not exhaustive or intended to be restrictive, it is intended to provide some guidance on the types of exceptional circumstances where an application is likely to have a greater prospect of success. Additional matters for consideration in relation to rent in advance and deposits Awards of rent in advance or deposits will only be made under this where the following criteria are met:  There must be entitlement to HB or the housing cost element of UC at the beginning of the tenancy;  The applicant must show they do not have the ability through their own means to pay the required rent deposit;  The ongoing rent must be affordable without reliance on additional support outside of HB or UC or will become affordable within 3 months due to an imminent change of circumstance which will increase the maximum level of housing costs which can be made by HB or UC;

Matters for Consideration. The funding of DHP only represents a small percentage of the money paid in respect of housing costs paid by HB and UC. Even when a person is affected in any of the circumstances identified below or by any of the welfare reforms it will not guarantee that a payment will be made. Where an award of DHP is made it is likely to be for a short period to ensure the scheme remains flexible. All decisions are subject to the level of funds being available. The fund will be managed to ensure that support can be provided throughout the year. In all cases the claimant, partner and household members must demonstrate they have insufficient resources, through their income and capital, to meet their ongoing rent liability or pay the required rent in advance or deposit to secure a tenancy which is suitable for their housing needs. Other factors that may be taken into account are;  • If the inability to meet the rent liability is due to a change in the award of HB or UC due to legislative changes in welfare benefits. In exceptional cases an award of DHP may be made in the short term to help the household adjust;  • The extent of the shortfall and any steps taken by the claimant to reduce their rental liability;  • The likelihood of an imminent change of circumstances that will increase the level of the HB or UC award for example, pregnancy where the addition of a child to the household would change the calculation of HB or UC or a single person whose 35th birthday is imminent;  • If there is a real risk of homelessness due to eviction because of the shortfall. Priority will be given to applicants who are being supported by the council’s Housing Options Team or other agency providing similar support;  • The impact of disability needs within the household on the accommodation requirements for which the benefit calculation does not make specific allowances;  • The medical circumstances of the household affecting their ability to move to cheaper alternative accommodation;  • If there has been a recent change of circumstances, which has negatively impacted on the ability to meet rent liability that was previously affordable;  • If the property has been specifically adapted to meet the needs of a disabled member of the household or an additional bedroom is required as a result of health needs and this is supported by the award of Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance  • Where a household has been affected by a restriction under the social sector size criteria it is expected that they are engaging with their housing provider in order to move to appropriately sized accommodation;  • The level of indebtedness of the claimant and their family. DHPs will not to be paid in order to finance other debts;  • The exceptional nature of the claimant and their family’s circumstances;  • The length of time the DHP is being asked to support. DHP is not and should not be considered as a long term way around any current or future entitlement restrictions set out under legislation.  • The steps the applicant plans to take should their application be successful to alleviate their position in preparation for when the payment ends which may include; o applying to the council’s housing register and are making bids on suitable homes; o making changes to the household budget in order to prioritise their rent payment o ensuring they are on the cheapest available tariff for their utility bills in order to increase the level of income which can be used to pay their rent liability o engaging with the Department for Work and Pensions with support to find work where it is appropriate to do so. This above list is not exhaustive or intended to be restrictive, it is intended to provide some guidance on the types of exceptional circumstances where an application is likely to have a greater prospect of success. Additional matters for consideration in relation to rent in advance and deposits Awards of rent in advance or deposits will only be made under this where the following criteria are met:  • There must be entitlement to HB or the housing cost Housing Cost element of UC at the beginning of the tenancy;  • The applicant must show they do not have the ability through their own means to pay the required rent deposit;  • The ongoing rent must be affordable without reliance on additional support outside of HB or UC or will become affordable within 3 months due to an imminent change of circumstance which will increase the maximum level of housing costs which can be made by HB or UC;; • Applicants must have a bank, building society, post office or other account capable of making direct debit or standing order payments. If no such account is in place an undertaking must be made to open a relevant account. Document Control Version Author Date Comments

Matters for Consideration. The funding of DHP only represents a small percentage of the money paid in respect of housing costs paid by HB and UC. Even when a person is affected in any of the circumstances identified below or by any of the welfare reforms it will not guarantee that a payment will be made. Where an award of DHP is made it is likely to be for a short period to ensure the scheme remains flexible. All decisions are subject to the level of funds being available. The fund will be managed to ensure that support can be provided throughout the year. In all cases the claimant, partner and household members must demonstrate they have insufficient resources, through their income and capital, to meet their ongoing rent liability or pay the required rent in advance or deposit to secure a tenancy which is suitable for their housing needs. Other factors that may be taken into account are;  • If the inability to meet the rent liability is due to a change in the award of HB or UC due to legislative changes in welfare benefits. In exceptional cases an award of DHP may be made in the short term to help the household adjust;  • The extent of the shortfall and any steps taken by the claimant to reduce their rental liability;  • The likelihood of an imminent change of circumstances that will increase the level of the HB or UC award for example, pregnancy where the addition of a child to the household would change the calculation of HB or UC or a single person whose 35th birthday is imminent;  • If there is a real risk of homelessness due to eviction because of the shortfall. Priority will be given to applicants who are being supported by the council’s Housing Options Team or other agency providing similar support;  • The impact of disability needs within the household on the accommodation requirements for which the benefit calculation does not make specific allowances;  • The medical circumstances of the household affecting their ability to move to cheaper alternative accommodation;  • If there has been a recent change of circumstances, which has negatively impacted on the ability to meet rent liability that was previously affordable;  • If the property has been specifically adapted to meet the needs of a disabled member of the household or an additional bedroom is required as a result of health needs and this is supported by the award of Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance  • Where a household has been affected by a restriction under the social sector size criteria it is expected that they are engaging with their housing provider in order to move to appropriately sized accommodation;  • The level of indebtedness of the claimant and their family. DHPs will not to be paid in order to finance other debts;  • The exceptional nature of the claimant and their family’s circumstances;  • The length of time the DHP is being asked to support. DHP is not and should not be considered as a long term way around any current or future entitlement restrictions set out under legislation.  • The steps the applicant plans to take should their application be successful to alleviate their position in preparation for when the payment ends which may include; o applying to the council’s housing register and are making bids on suitable homes; o making changes to the household budget in order to prioritise their rent payment o ensuring they are on the cheapest available tariff for their utility bills in order to increase the level of income which can be used to pay their rent liability o engaging with the Department for Work and Pensions with support to find work where it is appropriate to do so. This above list is not exhaustive or intended to be restrictive, it is intended to provide some guidance on the types of exceptional circumstances where an application is likely to have a greater prospect of success. Additional matters for consideration in relation to rent in advance and deposits Awards of rent in advance or deposits will only be made under this where the following criteria are met:  • There must be entitlement to HB or the housing cost element of UC at the beginning of the tenancy;  • The applicant must show they do not have the ability through their own means to pay the required rent deposit;  • The ongoing rent must be affordable without reliance on additional support outside of HB or UC or will become affordable within 3 months due to an imminent change of circumstance which will increase the maximum level of housing costs which can be made by HB or UC;