|
|
Return to Normal View |
|
How to claim |
|||
| A guide for applicants Filling in the form Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form Housing Benefit calculator Your total income Your savings When will I hear about my claim What happens if my rent increases? How will my benefit be paid What if you disagree with the Council's decision Documentary proof Check list More information A guide for applicants
Spelthorne Borough Council Support Directorate Council Offices Knowle Green Staines TW18 1XB Back to top Filling in the form Please fill in every question that applies to you. If it does not apply then cross through or mark N/A. Remember - you must read and sign the declaration, then send the form back as soon as possible otherwise you may lose some of your benefit if you apply too late. Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form (Pdf 337kb) On-line claim form Back to top Your total income This is made up of any payments you receive, some are included in the list below:
Back to top Your savings The term 'savings' is used to cover the capital, savings, property and investments you have. When working out the total value of your savings you should include:
Back to top When will I hear about my claim? We will check your claim to make sure we have all the necessary information and then calculate your benefit, if we need any further information we will write to you: Your benefit will be paid either to you or your landlord within 14 days of receiving your completed claim. You will also receive a letter notifying you of these facts:
Back to top What happens if my rent increases? You should notify us within one calendar month and we will reassess your benefit. Back to top How will my benefit be paid? Benefit is paid by BACS (directly into your bank account) every two weeks (in arrears) or to your landlord every four weeks in arrears. Back to top What if I disagree with the Council's decision? If you want to know more details about how your benefit has been worked out, you can contact the Housing Benefits Office and request a written explanation. If you think we have made a mistake working out your Housing Benefit (for example, something missed out, wrong income/rent used or wrong date used for starting your benefit), please let the Housing Benefits Office know without delay and ask for your claim to be looked at again. It will help if you can say why you disagree. You should contact us within one calendar month of being informed about your benefit. We will then let you know in writing whether your Housing Benefit can be changed or not. If you still disagree after your claim has been looked at again, you can ask for a further independent review. This request has to be in writing and you must say why you disagree. You need to do this within one calendar month of being informed about whether your benefit can be changed or not. If you still unhappy with the decision you will then be referred to the Appeals Tribunal which is independent of the Local Authority.
Back to top Documentary proof Documentary proof of benefit is a direct notification statement from the DWP. You must provide documentary proof of all your income and savings and those of any partners. If you pay rent to a private landlord or housing association, you must also provide documentary proof of your rent liability and rent payments. If you have other adults living in your home you should provide documentary proof of their weekly income before deductions, if this is not provided you may receive less benefit than you could. Back to top Check list You need to enclose documentary proof of:
For more information If you require further information or help on Council Tax/Housing Benefit please contact us or write to: The Housing Benefits Office Council Offices Knowle Green Staines TW18 1XB Back to top |
© Spelthorne Copyright 2006 |