Regulation changes mean wider benefit eligibility

Residents in Argyll & Bute are advised to check their benefit eligibility as recent changes to the regulation have extended the reach of Housing and Council Tax benefit.

Councillor George Freeman, the Council’s Spokesperson for Housing and Communities, urged people to investigate whether or not they could benefit from the changes: ‘More people in Argyll and Bute may now be entitled to Housing and Council Tax Benefit, and it is vital that those most likely to benefit are aware of the situation’.

Child Benefit income.

Since November 2009, any income from Child Benefit is not taken into account when calculating Housing and Council Tax Benefit payments.

The effect of this is that families already getting these benefits will receive more money, and other low income families will become eligible for the first time.

It is estimated that more than 200,000 working families will gain some £1,000 a year from the move.

Savings impact on benefits for over 60s

The second regulation change affects older people and is focused on the amount of savings which the Government will ignore when calculating benefits.

This sum used to be £6,000 but for people aged 60 or over, has now increased to £10,000.

Information sources

The Council is promoting these changes in all possible ways.

Families already in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit do not have to do anything to access this new help. Any impact on their benefits of the changes will be calculated and automatically added.

Families on a low income who are not in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit who think they might be newly entitled to them should contact the Council for more details.

This can be done over the phone by contacting the Council’s Benefit Enquiry Line on 01546 605512 or by calling in to a local Customer Service Point to arrange an appointment to make a claim.

To make a claim, individuals will need proof of identity, proof of income and proof of any savings or investments they may have. Trained Benefits Assessors will be happy to help people complete their claims.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Customer Service Points, which are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, are located at:

• Burnett Building, John Street, Campbeltown
• Lorne House, Albany Street, Oban
• Breadalbane Street, Tobermory, Mull
• 45 West Princes Street, Helensburgh
• The Business Centre, Crossapol, Tiree
• Dalriada House, Colchester Square, Lochgilphead
• Jamieson Street, Bowmore, Islay
• Mount Pleasant Road, Rothesay
• Hill Street, Dunoon