Kensington and Chelsea Council to Make First Housing Benefit Payment Since Cyber Attack
A West London council is set to issue housing benefit payments for the first time since it fell victim to a significant cyber attack in late November. However, not all recipients in the borough will receive funds immediately, as the council navigates ongoing recovery efforts.
Limited Initial Payments for Private and Housing Association Tenants
Kensington and Chelsea Council has confirmed that the first payment will be made in the initial week of February. According to a recent newsletter from the authority, this initial disbursement will only apply to residents who rent privately or through housing associations. The council has implemented a temporary payment system specifically designed to handle these cases, as it continues to repair its normal infrastructure.
The council has issued a warning that there may be errors in the process due to incomplete access to all necessary data. This is particularly likely to affect residents whose circumstances have changed since the attack on November 24. Those experiencing issues are encouraged to contact the council directly at benefits@rbkc.gov.uk for assistance.
Exclusions for Council Tenants and Temporary Accommodation
Importantly, the temporary system is not suitable for making payments to individuals who rent directly from the council or those placed into temporary accommodation. This limitation arises because the system used for these groups relies on different data and processes. Council tenants will not face penalties for rent arrears resulting from the cyber attack, as officers work directly with landlords and agents to manage the situation.
The council is actively seeking a solution to resume regular payments for these excluded groups, with efforts focused on restoring the normal housing benefits payment system by early spring.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts and Broader Impacts
Council Leader Elizabeth Campbell emphasised the priority of restoring critical systems, stating, "Ever since November's cyber attack, our focus has been on restoring the systems our residents rely on most." She highlighted the distribution of £10 million in housing benefits as a significant step, with teams working around the clock to recover systems safely and improve resilience.
The cyber attack has had widespread repercussions beyond housing benefits. The council has faced challenges with weekly pay-runs for internal foster carers, personal budget payments, and the collection of business rates and council tax via Direct Debit. Although Direct Debit payments for rent and service charges were restored on December 21, missed payments from late November and December will be spread across remaining instalments for this financial year.
Additional issues include delays in payments from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure fund and to contractors involved in flood mitigation work. The council is also struggling to access external highway consultants, hindering progress on streetscape schemes and delaying payments through purchase orders.
Internet access across work devices was restored on January 12, marking a step forward in recovery. Kensington and Chelsea Council is one of three London authorities affected by the November cyber attack, underscoring the broader vulnerability of local government systems to such incidents.
