Supercal updated v1

40 - Supercal updated v1

Purpose

This bulletin advises caseworkers that the Supercal has been changed to reflect the fact that the support level for children under 16 will change form 4 December 2000 and tells them how to use the new version.

Scope

This change will affect both Assessment and Allocation immediately. It is essential that all caseworkers use the latest version of the Supercal. Each release is dated.

Action (Assessment)

Assessment should make any support calculations for groups including children under 16 using the new rate where appropriate. The current rate is £26.60. The new rate is £30.95. The voucher cycle means that any Regular Vouchers that are set up from 17 November will begin on 4 December or later. Therefore assessment should use the new rate with immediate effect for regular voucher calculations. The Supercal now has both rates and will show an error message if the caseworker attempts to calculate a rate for a group including both the new and old rates.

Emergency voucher calculations should be made using the current rate unless they are intended to cover a period beyond the 4 December. The voucher cycle means that the window for ordering Regular Vouchers on 4 December closes on 21 November. The Supercal now calculates the correct amounts using both rates as appropriate. Assessment will not be able to provide a calculation for Allocation during the transition period because they cannot know when regular vouchers will start.

Action (Allocation)

Allocation should use the new support rate for any new regular voucher batches with immediate effect.

The new Emergency voucher sheet on the Supercal will correctly calculate emergency vouchers that cover dates before and/or after 4 December. Both the start and end dates of the Emergency Vouchers must be entered in the appropriate fields. These must be entered in the format 04/12/2000. That is two digits/two digits/four digits, day/month/year. The make up of the group should be entered as before. Allocation will need to use this version for all cases on or after 22 December. Start and end dates must be entered. Where the end date precedes the start date an error message will appear.

Remedial Action

Regular voucher batches for groups including children under 16 that were set up after 14 November have been amended manually.