Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on verifying occupancy, tenancy arrangements and the provision of qualifying care, support or supervision before awarding enhanced Housing Benefit for supported exempt accommodation.

The Department published the ‘Housing Benefit guidance for supported housing claims’ in May 2022 and updated this in April 2026. The guidance provides local authorities with a consolidated source of advice to support their decision-making on administering enhanced Housing Benefit. This includes advice on the information and evidence that may be required from claimants, the assessment of landlord and tenancy arrangements, and the requirement to provide care, support or supervision.

We are currently updating this guidance and are engaging with a number of local authorities and relevant stakeholders to ensure it reflects current operational practices.