Housing Benefit and Universal Credit in the Social Housing Sector (Regular Payments) Bill (HC Bill 174)
A
BILL
TO
Establish the right of persons in receipt of housing benefit and universal credit
in the social housing sector to receive said benefits at regular intervals; to
provide that such persons should not be financially penalised in relation to the
number of bedrooms in a residence; and for connected purposes.
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and
consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present
Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
1 Regular payments of housing benefit
Where a claimant’s entitlement to housing benefit is established, payments of
that benefit shall be made on a regular basis which meets the claimant’s
reasonable needs.
2 5Calculation of housing benefit entitlement
In determining a claimant’s entitlement to housing benefit no account shall be
taken of the number of bedrooms in the dwelling to which the claim made by
the claimant relates.
3 Regular payments of the housing costs element of universal credit
10Where a claimant’s entitlement to an award of the housing costs element of
universal credit is established, payments of that award shall be made on a
regular basis which meets the claimant’s reasonable needs.
4 Calculation of housing costs element of universal credit
In determining a claimant’s entitlement to the housing costs element of
15universal credit no account shall be taken of the number of bedrooms in the
dwelling to which the claim made by the claimant relates.
Housing Benefit and Universal Credit in the Social Housing Sector (Regular Payments) BillPage 2
5 Social sector housing
The provisions of sections 1 to 4 shall only apply in the case of rent payments
for social sector housing.
6 Orders
(1)
5The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument make such
provision as is necessary to give effect to the requirements of this Act as to the
regular payment and the calculation of housing benefit and the housing cost
element of universal credit.
(2)
A statutory instrument containing an order under this Act is subject to
10annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
7 Minor and consequential amendments
Schedule 1 (minor and consequential amendments) has effect.
8 Repeals and revocations
The provisions listed in Schedule 2 are repealed or revoked to the extent
15specified.
9 Financial provisions
(1) There is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament—
(a)
any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of this Act by a Minister of the
Crown, and
(b)
20any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable under any other Act
out of money so provided.
(2)
There is to be paid into the Consolidated Fund any sums received by a government
department by virtue of this Act.
10 Short title, commencement and extent
(1)
25This Act may be cited as the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit in the Social
Housing Sector (Regular Payments) Act 2014.
(2)
This Act comes into force at the end of the period of 2 months beginning with
the day on which it is passed.
(3) This Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland.
Housing Benefit and Universal Credit in the Social Housing Sector (Regular Payments) BillPage 3
SCHEDULES
Section 7
SCHEDULE 1 Minor and consequential amendments
Social Security Benefits and Contributions Act 1992
1
5In section 130A(3) of the Social Security Benefits and Contributions Act 1992
for “The provision which may be made by the regulations includes
provision” substitute “The regulations may provide”.
Section 8
SCHEDULE 2 Repeals
10Social Security Benefits and Contributions Act 1992
1
In section 130A of the Social Security Benefits and Contributions Act 1992
omit sub-sections (5) and (6).