Calculating Benefit Entitlement
If you are in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance
(income based), Employment & Support Allowance (income based)
or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, you will normally be entitled
to maximum Council Tax and or Housing Benefit. This means
that all of your eligible rent will be covered by Housing
Benefit depending on your Local Housing Allowance rate or the rent
figure set by the Rent Officer and all of your Council Tax
will be covered by Council Tax Benefit.
However, there may be deductions made for any non-dependants that you have living with
you. A non-dependant is someone over the age of 18 who lives
with you on a non-commercial basis, for example adult sons or
daughters, elderly parents, other family members or friends.
If you do not get any of the benefits listed above, then the
council has to compare your weekly income and any savings you have
(if you and your partner have joint capital of more than £16,000.00
you will not normally be able to receive benefit. If your savings
are under £16,000.00 the first £6000.00 is not taken into
account) with standard amounts that the Government sets as
‘needs levels’ for individuals, couples and families which are
known as ‘applicable amounts’.
Applicable amounts vary for different situations, which is one
reason why it is very difficult to compare your benefit entitlement
with a friend or neighbour. It depends on your age; whether or not
you have a partner or children; or if someone in your household is
disabled. Your applicable amount is made up of Personal Allowances,
for general needs, and Premiums, for special needs. Your Applicable
Amount, and how it has been calculated, is always shown on your
decision letter. You need to check this as carefully as you check
the income and capital that we have used when working out your
benefit entitlement, and ask us to explain anything you do not
understand or that you think may be wrong.
Can I get an estimate of how much Benefit I may be
entitled to?
Yes, you can use the online
benefits calculator to do your own ‘trial calculation’.
What do I need to provide as proof with my claim?
We will need to see evidence of your Identity, income and
capital. If you are a private tenant we will need to see proof of
your rent. Details of exactly what is required can be found
in the benefit claim
form.
When will my claim start?
We can usually pay you from the date we receive your claim form.
Any entitlement will normally start from the Monday following this
date. In some circumstances we may be able to pay your claim
from an earlier date than the date we received your claim form.
This is known as backdating a claim and you will need to
show 'good cause' for not claiming
earlier.
How will my Benefit be paid?
- If you are a council tenant your Housing Benefit
will be credited directly to your rent account every week
- If you rent your home from a private Landlord
or Housing Association Housing Benefit can be paid by transfer
to your bank account via Banks Automated Clearing System
(BACS), for which we will need your bank details. This payment
will be made fortnightly in arrears, so you will receive this
payment at the end of the fortnight it relates to.
- If you rent from a Housing Association and
choose for payments to be made directly to them the payments
will be made 4 weekly in arrears.
- In certain circumstances, such as you are
more that 8 weeks in arrears with your rent we
may pay your Landlord 4 weekly in arrears if you are
a renting from a private Landlord or Housing Association
- Council Tax Benefit will be credited directly
to your Council Tax account in one lump
sum.
This webpage was updated on
1/20/2012