ISSN:
1467-9299
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Political Science
,
Economics
Notes:
This paper is concerned with how administrators in the Housing Benefit (HB) service in Great Britain have reacted to the discretionary powers given to local authorities as a result of the introduction of Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs). DHPs can be awarded to HB claimants deemed to require additional assistance with their housing costs. The paper first argues that the HB service can be categorized as ‘rule-bound’ before outlining the DHP regime and the nature of the discretion that it affords HB administrators. A brief review of the literature on discretionary decision making in public service organizations suggests four propositions in respect of DHP decision making. The paper then seeks to test these propositions. It concludes that in general HB administrators do not appear to have experienced the difficulties associated with discretionary decision making in rule-bound services that might have been expected on the basis of previous work in this field.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0033-3298.2005.00437.x
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