You ask the questions

Q. Has the housing allowance been set at a sufficient level to enable benefit claimants to obtain decent housing?
A. The rent service sets the allowance levels. They are based on local average rents. Since going live with housing allowance on 17 November last year, more than one-third of claimants' housing benefit is based on an allowance that exceeds their weekly contractual rent. However, it's too soon to say what the long-term effect on rent levels will be – this is one reason for the Department for Work and Pensions' pathfinder evaluation.

Q. Has the housing allowance made it easier to administer benefits?
A. The rent officer supplies housing allowance figures for every month.

This means that no rent referral is needed, which has speeded up processing.

Q. What are the staffing implications? Is there capacity for staff to handle housing allowance claims alongside housing benefit claims? In what way, if any, has Blackpool amended its benefit staff structure and duties? How is this financed?
A. Housing allowance claims are processed alongside housing benefit claims. The computer system used to calculate benefit has been amended to calculate housing allowance claims. This means that processing staff have to input minimal additional information for housing allowance claims. Blackpool has not amended its staff structure or duties.

However, there have been extra resource requirements in terms of debt advice. These have been provided in partnership with the Citizens' Advice Bureau, funded through the DWP. In the implementation and early stages, there are increased calls on customer service staff and stakeholder communications and liaison officers.

All increased costs for pathfinder authorities are funded through the DWP.

Q. Given that the housing allowance is usually paid to tenants directly rather than to landlords, has the number of landlords willing to let to housing benefit tenants fallen?
A. Blackpool has worked with landlords throughout the implementation of the housing allowance.

A minority of landlords have threatened to exclude benefit claimants in Blackpool. However, there is no evidence of this actually happening to date.

Q. Has Blackpool experienced an increase or a decrease in the number of discretionary housing payment requests made by benefit claimants since the start of the pilot?
A. There have been no requests for discretionary payments regarding housing allowance cases so far.

Questions from Cllr Sandie Hubbard, chair of housing scrutiny, Charnwood borough council

Q. What measures are in place to make sure unscrupulous landlords do not put extra burdens of stress and harassment on tenants if they know when rent cheques are sent? How will you be able to ensure that no tenant is evicted because of the new system?
A. Blackpool is encouraging landlords to contact the benefits section as soon as they are aware of a problem, so something can be done to help both the tenant and the landlord.

This impacts on overarching policy and is included in the DWP's research and evaluation project.

Q. Why were housing associations not included in the pathfinder? Is this because they would never have agreed to it?
A. It has never been the intention to "single out" the private rented sector. Similar reforms are to be introduced in the social sector as soon as rent restructuring and increased choice create a better market.

The objectives of these reforms include greater choice for tenants as to where they live and how much rent they pay. Currently, only the private rented sector offers any degree of choice. However, the government has made clear its intention to run a pathfinder in the social sector as soon as conditions allow .

Q. Is there any evidence to show that tenants are acting more responsibly?
A. It is much too early to tell. An evaluation is taking place throughout the new scheme's roll-out.

Q. What about tenants who don't have a bank account?
A. Basic bank accounts are available to most benefit claimants, and claimants are encouraged to open accounts.

Cheques are issued in the absence of a bank account.

Copies of an information leaflet on the issue are available from our benefits website at www.blackpool.gov.uk

Q. What about the time it takes for a cheque to clear? Has this been taken into account when making payments?
A. Payments are made fortnightly in arrears. This compares favourably with the current arrangements for direct-to-landlord payments. Where there is a bank account, payment is made by BACS so clearance time is not an issue.

Q. Payments sent direct to landlords never get lost or stolen, therefore there is no costs for reproducing giro cheques (in Charnwood, duplicate payments were reduced by 400% when we moved from weekly Giro cheques to bank cheques). Has this been a problem so far? How has this risk been accounted for?
A. Blackpool has not used open giros since the 1980s. Equally, we have not used open bank cheques for more than 10 years. We only use crossed account "payee only" bank cheques or BACS. The majority of landlords are paid by the latter.

Before the housing allowance pilot programme, 50% of all private tenants already received direct payments and crossed cheques were used. Of those cases so far converted to housing allowance, 50% have opted for BACS. 

Q. For tenants that take a property with a lower rent level than their allowance, will the "extra" money they are entitled to be taken into account when calculating other benefits?
A. Housing allowance is not deducted from other state benefits.

Q. How has Blackpool provided support for tenants to help them cope with the extra responsibility? Many tenants are already supported to help them gain the necessary life skills, so how are support services coping with the introduction of the allowance? Have they been allocated extra resources?
A. Blackpool, in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau, has created a specialist debt advice team for benefit claimants and landlords.

Questions from Danny Friedman, director of policy and Fola Ogunjobi, policy officer, National Housing Federation

Q. How should the housing allowance scheme be publicised to ensure the highest level of awareness?
A. Publicity has been very important. The DWP supplied a communications matrix as a guide. The matrix identified both major stakeholders and when they should be contacted. The format and method of communication has been tailored to the recipients involved.

Blackpool also liaised on a local level with people and organisations affected by the programme. Some examples include claimants, landlords, registered social landlords, professional organisations, welfare advice and voluntary groups.

Q. What are the costs in getting compliant IT systems in place?
A. Changes to housing benefit always have an IT cost implication. Many major software suppliers have now developed their software for housing allowance compliance. This was funded by DWP, as is usual when there are legislative changes.

Q. What are the likely costs of introducing the housing allowance to the social housing sector?
A. This is very difficult to quantify, as housing allowance would affect so many areas. In terms of housing benefit staffing and IT, there should be little or no impact financially.

For more details on the policy's impact, the DWP can provide additional information.

Q. What issues should be considered in determining a claimant's vulnerability, to avoid unfair decisions?
A. A guide to vulnerability issues has been created by the DWP and is available to all within the housing allowance pathfinders.

Key examples referred to include those with rent arrears, drug and substance abusers, and bankrupts.

Each case is looked at on its own merits. Any factor that affects a claimant's ability to manage their financial affairs will be considered. Any representation for "vulnerability" must be accompanied by documented proof. So far, Blackpool has not refused any representation for vulnerability where relevant proof has been provided.

Q. What is needed to ensure local authorities are working effectively with the rent office for prompt knowledge of the broad rental market area figures?
A. Effective liaison is of paramount importance. Blackpool has an excellent relationship with its local rent service. As the service is required by law to provide figures in good time, this should be added to any standard local allowance that exists. The service has contingency plans in place to ensure the local authority receives these figures on time.