When a local authority collects pensions or benefits on behalf of a client, A4W tracks these collections through pension books (containing vouchers) or payment schedules. This article covers setting up and managing collection arrangements.
Set up a collection arrangement
Navigate to Collections > Specify Collection Arrangements.
Search for and select the client.
Click New to create a new arrangement.
Select the Pension book type from the dropdown.
Pension books
Although physical pension books have largely been phased out, the functionality in A4W can still be used. Pension book records allow voucher amounts to be uplifted automatically when benefit rates increase.
📌Note: For automatic uplift to work, A4W identifies the benefit type based on the voucher amount. There is no explicit link between benefit type and pension book type. Combined books covering several benefit types will be ignored for automatic up-rating — only books for a single benefit type are uplifted automatically.
Schedules
Schedules are used for regular fixed amounts paid directly into a client's bank account.
📌Note: If the amount of a collected benefit changes, a new schedule must be created. Existing schedules are not automatically updated.
Personal allowance settings
When the authority collects benefits on behalf of a client, the client is entitled to a personal allowance (PA). You can configure how PA is calculated and paid.
Navigate to Payments > PA Credits > Client PA Settings.
Search for and select the client.
How much to pay
Field | Description |
Day of week for payment of PA | The day the client should receive their PA. |
Statutory allowance due | Read-only — shows the statutory PA amount from the assessment. |
PA to credit weekly | The amount of PA to pay each week (can be the full amount or less). |
Total excluded collected benefits | Shows the total of benefits marked as excluded from the assessment but collected by the council. |
PA to credit weekly from excluded collected benefits | The amount of excluded benefits to credit weekly. |
Use PA to credit charges | Tick if the client wants to use some or all PA to pay off outstanding debt or invoice charges. |
Adjust invoice rate to compensate | Tick if the client uses PA to credit charges and you want to prevent invoice transactions being raised. |
How to pay
Option | Description |
Itemise PA on private home remittances | PA is added to the remittance sent to the care home. |
Pay via ABACUS BACS interface | PA is paid electronically (only available if a BACS interface is set up). |
Who to pay
If a BACS payment method is selected, enter the bank account details for the recipient (which may be the client or a nominated third party).
📌Note: Excluded collected benefits (such as DLA and War Widows pension) are the client's money. If the authority collects them, the full amount must be paid out to the client through the PA process.