How to claim expensesfrom Stockport Homes

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2 How to claim expenses from Stockport Homes

We will cover out-of-pocket expenses for travel and other reasonable costs, to enable you to attend meetings, events, focus groups, conferences and training courses. Any activity we organise is held in an accessible venue at a variety of

locations around Stockport.

Expenses we cover

Travel costs

• Ifyouneedassistancewithtransportto take part in Stockport Homes’ activities, we will provide a taxi for you free of charge. Please let us know if this applies to you and we will book a taxi for you.Ifyouneed someone to travel with you then we will meet that person’s travel costs as well.

• You can claim for your bus fares when attending an activity. You will usually need to provide your bus ticket, but this is not alwaysthecase.TheCustomerInvolvement Team can advise you on how to claim.

• You can claim for your petrol costs when using your car to attend activities.

Here at Stockport Homes we want

all customers to get involved in

influencing how services are delivered.

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Customers attend ‘Skills for Life’ trainingcourses.

Ifyouneedassistancewithtransport to take part in Stockport Homes’ activities, we will provide a taxi for you free of charge.

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4 How to claim expenses from Stockport Homes

Travel costs

The current mileage rates we pay are:

• vehicles up to 999cc = 42.9p per mile; and

• 1000cc and above = 46.9p per mile.

These rates apply to LPG, petrol or diesel powered vehicles.

• You can claim for car parking costs but not parking fines. You will usually need to provide us with your car park ticket.TheCustomerInvolvementTeamcanadviseyou on how to claim for car mileage and car park costs.

• We will pay second class train fares. A ticket can be purchasedforyoubytheCustomerInvolvementTeam before your journey.

Child and adult care costs

Unless a crèche is provided, we will meet reasonable childcare or other dependant costs such as caring for an adult, which

mustbeagreedwiththeCustomerInvolvementTeambeforeaclaimismade.Ifyouareplanningtousetheservicesof a childminder, they must be registered with Stockport

Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) and they will need to send us an invoice before a payment can be made

(the maximum amount paid for the services of a registered childminder is £6 per hour – before tax).

The allowance paid for the services of a carer are in-line with the rates payable by SMBC

Adult Services, please ask the Customer

Involvement Team for details.

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Customers attend a focus group.

Unless a crèche is provided, we will meet reasonable childcare or other dependant costs such as caring for an adult, which must be agreed with the Customer InvolvementTeambeforeaclaimismade.

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Food and refreshment costs

An allowance for meals can only be claimed if no meal or refreshments are provided whilst attending approved events. There may be instances when these types of expense claims would arise. The rates are as follows:

• Breakfast - if you are leaving home before 7.30am to attend an event or meeting we will pay a breakfast allowance of up to £8.06.

• Eveningmeal– if you are unlikely to get home for your evening meal and your event does not finish until after 7.00pm we will pay an allowance of up to £13.47.

These allowances include claims for tea, coffee or other soft drinks but not alcoholic

drinks. Overnight stays will only be paid for in exceptional circumstances. We will not pay costs for room service. The allowance for an overnight stay

is £25. To claim for an overnight stay, you would need to contact the Customer

InvolvementTeam.

Claiming expenses

Expenses claim forms are available from the Customer InvolvementTeam. Wherever possible, receipts for expenditure must be provided. When we receive the completed form, payment will be made either directly into your bank account for more regular claims (we would need your account details), and in cash or cheque for one off payments. Cheque payments will usually take about 14 days from the date we receive the completed form.

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Tax and benefits

Expenses paid to customers are not classed as earnings. They cover out of pocket expenses and should not affect the customer’s entitlement to benefits, but may affect the customer’s tax position. Currently the tax free allowance is 41p per mile up to 1,000 miles. Claims are subject to audit by internal and external auditors. HM Revenue and Customs inspect paid claims from time to time. We strongly advise customers to check their position. Full expenses and allowances guidelines are available from the Customer InvolvementTeam.

Contact Us

Customer InvolvementStockport Homes,1 St. Peter’s SquareStockport SK1 1NZTel: 0161 474 2862Text: 07891 949 399Email: customer.involvement@stockporthomes.org

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Accessing our Services

This leaflet gives you information about how to claim expenses fromStockportHomes.Ifyouwouldlikeacopyinlarge

print, Braille, on audiotape or CD, please contact the Social Inclusion Team on 0161 474 2860or email: inclusion@stockporthomes.org