10 June 08 – Publication of DWP research report 501: Local Authority Omnibus Survey wave-16, summary report
New research published today by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) examines Local Authority (LA) knowledge and experience with respect to the following subject areas:
- Section A: Backdating and Paying Housing Benefit
- Section B: Information (Housing Benefit Matching Service and the Housing Benefit Strategy Division-Information and Analysis Division scans)
- Section C: Local Housing Allowance
- Section D: General counter-fraud and error work
- Section E: DWP Prosecution Division
The report presents summary findings from distinct sets of questions placed on the Department for Work and Pensions Local Authority Omnibus Survey regarding how LAs administer and manage aspects of Housing Benefit (HB). The data were analysed by GFK-NOP who subsequently produced the summary report. The findings will contribute to the formulation of Housing Benefit policy within DWP.
The main summary findings are:
- Backdating and payment of Housing benefit claims are inconsistent across LAs.
- Processing and query resolution times on the Housing Benefit Matching Service (HBMS) and the Housing Benefit Strategy Division-Information and Analysis Division (HBSD-IAD) scans have remained approximately static but with more outliers of longer duration.
- LAs are equally divided regarding Local Housing Allowance (LHA) roll-out: new claims roll-out only versus big bang roll-out for claimants in the private sector housing.
- LAs have either trained or plan to train staff for the roll-out of LHA.
- The majority of LAs that make Housing Benefit (HB) payments to LHA tenants do not coincide with when rent is due and have no plans to do so.
- Private sector landlords may require advice or support for the roll-out of LHA.
- Nearly half of LAs have plans to use Voice Risk Analysis (VRA).
- LAs are aware of error awareness e-learning but only a minority have plans to use. Opinion was equally divided over its usefulness.
- Knowledge of DWP prosecution service is widespread. Half of LAs have used it within three years or are currently using it whilst the remainder tend to use in-house teams.
Notes to Editors
- The research is based on findings of 260 LAs who participated in the survey including 16 that did not complete every section of the questionnaire. Overall, 155 LAs filled in the questionnaire on the web, 77 on paper and 28 on the telephone, between 14 January and 14 March 2008. The data were analysed by the contractor GFK-NOP.
- Research Report 501 – Local Authority Omnibus, wave-16 summary report will be published on 10th June 2008. The report is available on the DWP website.
DWP Press office: 020 3267 5144
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Prepared by: Department for Work and Pensions Housing Research and Analysis Division
