Q: How do I make a claim for
benefit?
Q: I am not sure if I am
entitled, how can I find out before I move in?
A: You can click on
our benefit
calculator. Alternatively, you
can telephone the Benefit Team, who will ask you
some questions and then give you an idea of how much benefit you
might be entitled to.
Q: If I am entitled, when will
you start paying me?
A: Housing and
Council Tax Benefit are normally paid from the Monday after we
receive your claim. You can ask us to backdate your claim, but you must show us there
was a good reason why you didn't claim earlier as backdating is not
automatic.
Q: How do I get paid my
benefit?A: Council tax benefit is credited to your council tax
account and if you are a council tenant, housing benefit will be
credited to your rent account. If you rent from a housing
association or private landlord, we will pay directly to you
or your landlords bank account.
Q: Where are your local offices
and when do they open?
A: There are several
local offices across the district. Several
local offices.
Q: Do I need to give you
anything else apart from my claim form?
A: Yes.
We will need to see evidence in support
of what you have written on the form. For example if you pay rent,
we will need to see a rent book or tenancy
agreement.
Q: My daughter usually deals with all my paperwork –
can she deal with my claim for me?
A: Yes. If you have
someone who usually helps you, they can deal with your claim for
benefit. We will call them an 'appointee'.
Q: Why do I have to send in
three months' bank statements?
A: We ask to see proof of your capital to support your
claim for benefit as any money held in bank accounts is
classed as 'capital'.
Q: Why are you sending out
someone to my home?
A: Under the
Verification Framework, we may visit you to check details of your
claim. Home visits are used to make sure you are getting the right
amount of benefit. In most cases there will be no change, in some,
it may result in more benefit being paid.
Q: Why can't you pay the full
rent? What are Rent Officer restrictions?
A: Housing Benefit
for private tenants is normally based on the general level of rents
for similar properties in the same area. If the rent charged is
above this level, Housing Benefit is likely to be restricted.
Q: How can I appeal against your
decision?
A: You
can appeal against our
decision by writing to us and asking us to have another look at the
decision we have made. You must do this within one month of the
notification letter we send you.
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