Direction of East Hampshire District Council under the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Electronic Communications) (Miscellaneous Benefits) Order 2006 (SI Number 2968)

East Hampshire District Council, (“the Authority”) in accordance with the above order and the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, and Council Tax Benefit Regulations 2006, the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006, the Council Tax Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006, (“the 2006 regulations”) hereby makes the following directions-

An individual who, in accordance with the 2006 Regulations makes a claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit under the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 is authorised to do so by an electronic communication, provided that the individual uses the method approved by the Authority in relation to the claim.

The methods acceptable to the authority are as follows:

New Claims

• By the authority’s approved electronic form;
• By completion of a claim by a visiting officer of the Council using the authority’s approved electronic form;

It should be noted that although new claims can be made electronically, there will be a requirement to provide additional documentation in certain circumstances as outlined on the authority’s approved electronic claim form.

Authentication

The authority will need to authenticate any claim presented by the claimant and this will be achieved by asking the claimant to sign a declaration form that will be sent to the claimant together with the claim acknowledgement referred to below.

It should be noted that where a claim is made using the claimant’s details, the claimant will be responsible for the validity and accuracy of any statements made.

Submitting a claim

The authority will acknowledge any claim received through the approved channels. Where an acknowledgement is not received then the claimant is advised to contact the authority directly.

The authority will not be held responsible for non receipt of any claim.

Claimants are advised to keep records of any claims submitted in case of query or appeal.

Signed by

  

Sandy Hopkins

Chief Executive