ARGYLL AND BUTE RESIDENTS URGED TO CHECK BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY

Recent changes in Benefit regulations affecting older people and families mean that more people in Argyll and Bute may be eligible for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

Residents are now being urged to check whether they might fall into the group which will benefit.

The first change concerns 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.

The second change, which affects older people, involves the amount of savings which the Government will ignore when calculating benefits.

This sum used to be £6,000. However, for people aged 60 or over, the amount of savings now allowed before the sum affects an individual’s benefits eligibility has increased to £10,000.

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,” he said.

“To promote further take-up of these Benefits in the light of these changes, the Council has placed an article in Argyll and Bute Childcare Partnership’s Childcare Chatter newsletter, which is aimed at young families who may need the additional support.

“This will be followed by newsletter inserts to Primary and Secondary schools, ensuring that the information gets back to parents.

“In addition to this, a campaign will be launched on local radio in early March to raise awareness and increase take-up. We are hopeful that these changes will have a positive impact on local people.”

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

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: