PART 14Information

SECTION 1Claims and information

Interpretation

108.  In this Section—

“local authority” means an authority administering housing benefit;

“relevant authority” means—

“relevant information” means information or evidence relating to the administration of claims to or awards of housing benefit.

Collection of information

109.—(1) A relevant authority may obtain relevant information, from—

(a)persons making, or who have made, claims to housing benefit; or

(b)other persons in connection with such claims.

(2) In paragraph (1) above references to persons who have made claims to housing benefit include persons to whom awards of benefit have been made on those claims.

Recording and holding information

110.  A relevant authority which obtains relevant information or to whom such information is supplied shall—

(a)make a record of such information; and

(b)hold that information, whether as supplied or obtained or as recorded.

Forwarding of information

111.  A relevant authority which holds relevant information—

(a)shall forward it to the person or authority for the time being administering claims to or awards of housing benefit to which the relevant information relates, being—

(i)a local authority;

(ii)a person providing services to a local authority; or

(iii)a person authorised to exercise any function of a local authority relating to housing benefit; and

(b)may continue to hold a record of such information, whether as supplied or obtained or recorded, for such period as it considers appropriate.

Request for information

112.  A relevant authority which holds information or evidence relating to social security matters shall forward such information or evidence as may be requested to the person or authority making that request, provided that—

(a)the request is made by—

(i)a local authority;

(ii)a person providing services to a local authority; or

(iii)a person authorised to exercise any function of a local authority relating to housing benefit; and

(b)the information or evidence requested includes relevant information;

(c)the relevant authority is able to provide the information or evidence requested in the form in which it was originally supplied or obtained; and

(d)provision of the information or evidence requested is considered necessary by the relevant authority to the proper performance by a local authority of its functions relating to housing benefit.