Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do my savings affect the amount of benefit I receive?
2. When will my benefit begin?
3. Can I provide photocopies of my documents?
4. Will all of my rent be used in the assessment?
5. What is the Rent Service and what does it do?
6. My income reduced 6 months ago. Will my benefit be adjusted because of this change?
7. Does all of my income count?
8. A Visiting Officer called on me last week. Is this normal?
9. My son pays me board. Is this counted as income?
10. I have just received another application form from you. As my details haven't changed since last year, do I still have to complete it?

1. How do my savings affect the amount of benefit I receive?

The first £6,000 is disregarded and a sliding scale applied up to £16,000.  However, we still need to know about all of your savings, as the appropriate amount will be disregarded automatically. If you have £16,000 or more, you do not qualify for benefit unless you are in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit where there is no capital limit.

2. When will my benefit begin?

Benefit normally starts from the Monday after we receive your application form therefore it is important not to delay returning your application form. There are exceptions where benefit may automatically be granted back to an earlier date, please contact the Benefit Office for further advice. Claimants can make a request for  backdated benefit.

3. Can I provide photocopies of my documents?

No. The current guidance states that we must see original documents at all times.

4. Will all of my rent be used in the assessment?

Not necessarily. If you are paying your rent to a private landlord (not a Housing Association) and you moved into the property after 1st January 1989, your rent will be referred to the Rent Service.  From April 2008 the rules will be changing see section on Local Housing Allowance

5. What is the Rent Service and what does it do?

The Rent Service is a separate Government body (they are not connected to the Council) which decides on a rent figure which it considers to be fair for the size of the property and the area it is situated.  From 7th April 2008 the Rent Service will provide the Local Housing Allowance rates.

6. My income reduced 6 months ago. Will my benefit be adjusted because of this change?

Yes, it will but only from the Monday after you informed us of the change. That is why it is important to tell us of the change as soon as it happens as you may lose out on benefit.

7. Does all of my income count?

No. When calculating Housing Benefit we ignore War Pensions , Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance. However, we still need to know if you receive any of these benefits. If you work, we count wages after tax, National Insurance and half of any payments to a personal pension.

8. A Visiting Officer called on me last week. Is this normal?

Yes. The regulations require us to visit you under the Verification Framework.

9. My son pays me board. Is this counted as income?

Set deductions are taken off your benefit depending on the age of your non-dependants and the amount of income they receive. back to top

10. I have just received another application form from you. As my details haven't changed since I last completed a form, do I still have to complete it?

Yes. whilst there is no longer a requirement for claimants to complete a "renewal" form each year certain claims highlighted by the Department for Works and Pensions must be reviewed.  You may be visited by one of our Visiting Officer and asked to complete a shortened version of the claim form.  Alternatively you may receive this shortened form through the post, it must be completed and returned to the Council.  If you fail to complete and return this form your benefit will be suspended and later cancelled.

Download these frequently asked questions (PDF).