Payment

The rate of payment of Away From Home Allowance is calculated using the same formula as for Accommodation Supplement

Away From Home Allowance is only paid for dependent children with board or rent costs. Children who are homeowners are deemed independent from their caregivers.

All the rules about what counts as accommodation costs, weekly qualifying accommodation costs and the maximum amounts payable for different regions are the same as for Accommodation Supplement. All costs must be verified.

The entry threshold for Away From Home Allowance is that which would be used for a single 18 year old on Jobseeker Support.

The only major difference between working out the rate of Accommodation Supplement and Away From Home Allowance is that there are no income reduction calculations. Both the client and the dependent may earn money and this will not affect the level of Away From Home Allowance payable as long as:

• the client remains entitled to family tax credit for the dependent and
• the dependent is not in full time employment

For more information see:

• Calculating rate
• Example
• Overpayments