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Benefit fraud (726) Service
The local authority aim to detect and prevent any fraudulent benefit claims, stopping and reducing payment in fraudulent cases and preventing over-payment claims.
Benefits advice and assessment (190) Service
Advisors offering benefit assessment and providing advice about entitlement to welfare benefits to individuals in receipt of benefit or claiming benefit.
Council tax account enquiries (58) Service
The council tax service provides householders with information relating to their council tax and payments. This may include information on payments, arrears, discount eligibility etc. and copies of bills.
Council tax benefit appeals (65) Service
A claimant who may be affected by a relevant decision regarding council tax benefit may request the local authority to revise its decision and also the independent appeals tribunal to consider the revised decision.
Council tax benefit backdated claims (62) Service
A claimant may be eligible for their claim to be backdated if there is a valid reason why they were unable to apply for their council tax benefit earlier
Council tax benefit current claim (64) Service
A claimant in receipt of council tax benefit is responsible for informing the local authority of any changes in their personal and financial circumstances which may affect their benefit.
Council tax benefit new claim (63) Service
A claimant may be eligible to claim council tax benefit if they are on low income or in receipt of income support or job seekers allowance.
Council tax benefit overpayments (66) Service
Where a claimant has been provided with a benefit greater than that to which they are entitled the local authority is required to inform the claimant and where necessary seek to recover the overpayment by issuing a revised council tax bill.
Council tax benefit renewal (67) Service
Local authorities may review the circumstances of anyone who is currently receiving housing and council tax benefit by issuing a change in circumstances form or by carrying out a visit.
Direct payments (287) Service
A direct payment is a cash payment allowing clients to buy their own support instead of Social Services providing it. The money can be used to employ a personal assistant or to use an agency to provide staff for you. A client can 'mix and match' and have some support provided by Social Services and take some as a direct payment. Recent 'Self-directed care' schemes have involved managing adult social care in general on the basis of the individual choosing their care package based on a fixed budget.
Discretionary housing payment (1148) Service
The discretionary housing payment (DHP) scheme covers shortfalls between rental liability and payment of housing benefit or Universal Credit including the housing element. Every claimant who is entitled to the minimum amount of housing benefit or housing element within Universal Credit, and who has a shortfall, is entitled to apply for help.
Employment and support allowance (1534) Service
The employment and support allowance provides financial help to people who are unable to work because of illness or disability. ESA also provides personalised support to those with illnesses or disabilities who are able to work. The allowance is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Housing benefit appeals (72) Service
Anyone who has claimed housing benefit and disagrees with the decision made in their assessment can challenge the decision by submitting an appeal form within one month of the date of the original decision. The authority is responsible for advising claimants of appeal procedures and investigating each appeal.
Housing benefit backdated claims (68) Service
A claimant may be eligible for their claim for housing benefit to be backdated (by up to 1 month if working age and 3 months if pension age) if there is a good cause why they were unable to apply for their housing benefit earlier. The authority is responsible for advising residents about eligibility for backdating claims and for processing applications.
Housing benefit current claim (70) Service
Review of housing benefit for an existing client usually as a result of a change of circumstances (new job, change of address etc.)
Housing benefit new claim (69) Service
Processing of a new claim for housing benefit from council, social and private tenants. Claims require evidence of tenancy and income in order to assess eligibility for benefit, where the LA is unable to obtain it elsewhere.
Housing benefit overpayments (71) Service
The local authority has a duty to recover overpayments of benefit for which there was no entitlement from tenants and landlords and where necessary take criminal proceedings in respect of fraudulent overpayments.
Housing benefit renewal (73) Service
Local authorities may review the circumstances of anyone who is currently receiving housing benefit and/or local council tax reduction.
Jobseekers allowance (1545) Service
Local authorities may provide information about Jobseekers Allowance (JSA). JSA is a benefit available for people of working age who are out of work. JSA may be available if a person is out of work or working less than 16 hours a week on average. To be eligible any applicant must be capable of working, available for work, actively seeking work and below state pension age.
Local crisis payment (1795) Service
Payment or provision of household goods to local households who have an urgent need as a consequence of an emergency, disaster or unforeseen circumstance and where a household has insufficient resources to meet an urgent need that poses an immediate and substantial risk to their health and safety
Local Housing Allowance (1147) Service
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is for people on a low income renting from a private landlord. The LHA is based on the broad rental market area and the number of bedrooms the tenant is allowed (based on who lives with them), not on how much their rent is.
Starting work benefits (1360) Service
People starting work or returning to work may be eligible for a range of benefits aimed at easing the transition from benefits to work. Advice is available to those starting work to make sure they do not miss out on help available.
Universal credit (1652) Service
Universal credit is a payment to help with living costs for those who are on a low income. Universal credit replaces a number of other income related benefits including housing benefit (with some exceptions)