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What's New in Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

Around half of working people who would qualify for Housing and Council Tax Benefits don't claim, often because they think they earn too much. You could be missing out, but we want to make sure you don't.

If you want to know how much you might get you can check an estimated entitlement on the benefit calculator on our website, or call our Benefit Team on (01935) 462462) or email us benefitsunit@southsomerset.gov.uk who will be very happy to advise you.

FAST TRACK SCHEME

A Fast Track Scheme is now available at our main receptions and area offices.

If a customer takes their new application for housing and or council tax benefit into a council office and the form is fully completed with all the evidence requested, we will assess the claim whenever possible within 3 working days. We will telephone the customer with the result on the day the claim is assessed or provide the reasons why we are unable to fast track the claim.

If the form is fully completed but not all the evidence is provided we will still fast track the claim, if the customer is able to provide the missing evidence within 2 days.

At present this scheme is available for new applications and then only if you have moved into the property.

On average these claims are being assessed within a 3 day target.

GOVERNMENT CHANGES TO HOUSING BENEFIT FROM JANUARY 2012

If you are single and under 35

The Government has changed the rules that apply to single people living in self-contained accommodation and aged 25 or more, but under 35. This means that they will only be entitled to the lower rate of Housing Benefit for a room in shared accommodation.

In practice, this means that

• single claimants under age 35 making new claims to HB on or after
  1 January 2012 will be entitled to the shared accommodation rate rather than the one-bedroom self-contained rate
• existing claimants at that date who are receiving transitional protection from the April 2011 LHA changes will move to the shared accommodation rate at the same time as their transitional protection ceases

• existing claimants not receiving transitional protection, i.e. those whose claims are made on or after 1 April 2011 but before 1 January 2012, will move to the shared accommodation rate on the anniversary date of their claim
• pre-LHA cases will move to the shared accommodation rate (previously known as the single room rent) on the annual review of their case

If you have any questions about this change please contact the Benefits Team on 01935 462462