Decision details

To obtain approval to cease Risk Based Verification process and cancel the accompanying policy document which applies to all new claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction to enable assessment of risk and claim verification to be undertaken on a case by case basis for all new claims.

That the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Well-Being:
1)Approves the cancelation of the Risk Based Verification Policy and process with immediate effect.

The current Risk Based Verification software provider has provided written confirmation that they propose to cease providing the service from 1 October 2021 as the scheme is no longer financial viable for them to maintain. The impact of the national rollout of Universal Credit has directly affected the number of new claims for Housing Benefit being made. This has been attributed as to the main reason Trans Union has decided to end the service.
The continuing reduction in new claims for both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction scheme over the past 5 years.
A saving of £15,805 on the current annual maintenance fee for the Trans Union Risk Based Verification software.

Other supplier
Develop own system