Limitations of the help topics
The help topics are designed to allow you use the program properly.
They are not a substitute for an understanding of the concepts and
complexities of means-testing.
Sources of the law
Most of the guidance given in these help screens is based on the Act
and regulations which establish this scheme, that is the Housing Grants
Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 Housing Renewal Grants
Regulations 1996. Reference is also made to the Circulars produced by
the Department of the Environment, and other sources of the law such as
the Social Security Act 1992 and reported decisions of the Social
Security Commissioners.
References to these sources are attributed in the following form:
HGC&R Act 96 Sec 110(2)(b) & (c)
Housing Renewal Grant Regs 96 Reg 32
Circular 12/90 Annex B Sec 2
SS(C&B)A 92 Sec 20(11)
R(SB)8/86
where R is for reported, and the benefit concerned is denoted by the
initials in brackets. The above example is a decision about
Supplementary Benefit. Decisions are numbered consecutively for each
year. This is therefore the 8th decision to be reported on Supplementary
Benefit in 1986.
Further guidance
The Housing Renewal Grant Regulations are derived directly from the
Housing Benefit (General) Regulations and are broadly similar to the
Income Support (General) Regulations. There is therefore a common
structure now underlying means-testing, whether it be for Income Support
or renovation grant purposes.
This is why guidance on other aspects of the means-testing system
should be useful, although close checking needs to be done to ensure
that the relevant legislation is identical.
The following sources should, with that proviso, be found useful:
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit: The
Legislation . Annotated by Lorna Findlay. Child Poverty Action
Group
Housing Benefits Guidance Manual . The Official DSS/DoE
Guidance to Local Authorities on how to administer Housing Benefit.
HMSO
Decision Makers Guide : 13 volumes, loose leaf.
Guidance from the Chief Adjudication Officer to his Adjudication
Officers on how to interpret social security law. HMSO
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook . The lay
representatives 'Bible'. Child Poverty Action Group