Benefit Take-Up
The Benefit and Council Tax Teams at East Hampshire District Council are committed to ensuring that our residents receive the benefits and discounts to which they are entitled.
Reasons why take up is so important:
- We have a legal obligation to develop and implement policies that show a commitment to addressing poverty and social exclusion under Section 123 (3)(a)and (4)(a) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992
- The take up of benefits helps to reduce inequalities in our community, improves the local economy and eases the pressure on services dealing with long term poverty.
- By encouraging take up, the benefits service can improve the financial position of residents, reducing unnecessary stress for vulnerable members of the community.
- Maximising take up can improve the collection of council tax.
There are many reasons why people do not claim the benefits, discounts and relief’s to which they are entitled. The barriers to claiming include:
- Lack of knowledge
- Un-coordinated activity resulting in failure to reach vulnerable groups
- Stigma associated with claiming
- Bad experiences in the past when dealing with benefit claims
- Complicated claims processes
- Lack of personal contact during the claims operation
We will seek to encourage all customers to claim benefits, discounts and relief’s they are entitled to. However, there is recognition that certain groups may need specific focus and expertise. These may include;
- The elderly
- Owner-occupiers
- Disabled groups
- Lone parents
- Working families on low income
What we have done so far in 2010-2011
Council Tax Benefit Take-Up leaflet
As part of the annual billing process for 20010/11 the Benefit Team sent out their Council Tax Benefit Take-Up leaflet to all households in the East Hampshire district. The leaflet gave advice about how to claim Council Tax Benefit and provided examples of minimum income levels required in order to claim.
Information Road Shows
Working with our colleagues in Housing we held information road shows in Headley, Horndean, Petersfield and Alton giving advise on Benefits, Council Tax discounts, relief's and energy efficiency.
Partner's Magazine
A full page article in East Hampshire District Council's Partner's Magazine advising our customers that going back to work doesn't mean giving up all their benefits. The example below shows you how a couple with one child, working 16 hours a week on the minimum wage can be better off working.
Income received not working
- Job Seekers Allowance £102.75
- Child Tax Credit £54.67
- Child Benefit £20.30
Total weekly income £177.72
Income received working
- Earnings £94.88
- Child Tax Credit £54.67
- Child Benefit £20.30
- Working Tax credit £73.15
Total weekly income £243.00
In this example the couple have to pay £11.62 rent and £3.58 Council Tax, but they are still better off by £50.08 a week. Please note that this example is only a guide and does not cover every circumstance.
Still to do in 2010/2011
- A joint targeted Benefits take-up exercise with the Pension Service
- A poster or leaflet campaign in key locations of the District linking into the Department for Work and Pensions 'Working Benefit' campaign
What we achieved in 2009/2010
What we achieved in 2008/2009
Contact Details