Your benefit notification letter

It is important you check and understand the information in your benefit notification letter. If you think any of the information is wrong please tell us straight away. Your letter contains information concerning your claim for housing and/or council tax benefit.

The letter shows any changes we have made to your benefit claim. We have to let you know about any changes by law even if the change is only by a penny. On your letters you will see headings with writing and numbers underneath them. These headings and phrases mean:

Ref

At the bottom of the page is your reference number. It will help us if you tell us this number if you contact us.

Housing benefit and council tax benefit

Granted means what we can pay you. This is the amount of benefit you will get after any deductions. This may be less than the maximum eligible rent or council tax liability. This may be because of the money you have coming in or capital we have taken into account or have other people over 18 living in your home. It could also be because of services included in your rent for things such as heating, lighting, cooking or meals. We cannot pay benefit for these services.

You will also be advised of the period of your award and the method of payment. From is the date your benefit starts. And to the date you benefit ends.

Extended payments

Your letter will show if your benefit includes an extended payment, it will give the amount and the date it covers.

What should I do if my circumstances change?

You must tell us straight away about any changes in your circumstances, as it may affect the amount of benefit you get and may also make you liable for prosecution.

Some examples of change in your circumstances are:

• you move home
• you or your partner have any changes in income
• you stop receiving income support or job seekers allowance
• you stop receiving child benefit for a child
• your rent goes up or down (except for council rent increases)

This list does not cover every change.

Appeals

If you do not agree with your benefit decision you can ask the Council to look at the decision again or appeal to the Tribunals Service. You must put this in writing within one month of the date of the letter or we may not be able to consider any dispute.

How your benefit is calculated?

Income

Income is money that comes into your home. If you are working we will ignore part of your earnings, this is called a disregard. The amount of the disregard depends on your circumstances. We also disregard other income such as disability living allowance, attendance allowance and war pensions.

When we work out your wages we take your gross pay and take off any national insurance, income tax and half of any pension payments. Any voluntary payments are not deducted.

Capital

You may also see the heading capital in this section. Capital means things like money in a bank or building society, stocks and shares or premium bonds. We must look at any capital you have when we work out a claim. We can ignore the first £6,000. If you are over 60 for each £500 capital over this amount we will add £1 to your weekly income. If you are under 60 for each £250 capital over this amount we will add £1 to your weekly income.

If your capital goes up or down remember to tell us about in writing and provide evidence. We may ask to see receipts or proof of any major purchases.

Applicable amounts

Each year the Government sets an applicable amount. This figure is meant to be the amount that you need for weekly living expenses. We use this figure to work out your housing and council tax benefit.

If your income is less than you applicable amount you would normally get the full amount of housing and council tax benefit.

Non-dependant deductions

Non-dependants are people over 18 who live with you. Under this heading we will list people over 18, their gross income and the deduction made because they live in your home. The Government sets the amounts for the deduction. There are certain cases where we will not make a deduction.

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