Legislation changes that could affect you!

From the beginning of November Stratford-on-Avon District Council will be implementing the changes in the Benefit Legislation for Child Benefit and Pensioners.

Child Benefit will no longer be counted as income when the District Council works out Housing and Council Tax Benefit.  This means that some families who claimed Housing and Council Tax benefit and were not entitled in the past, may now be able to receive extra financial help towards their rent and Council Tax charges. 

There is also an increase in capital limits for pensioners as the capital threshold in Pension Credit and pension age Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit increases from £6,000 to £10,000.  Therefore if pensioners have more than £10,000 in capital then £1 is added to their income for every £500 or part of £500 that they may have.  The upper limit of £16,000 remains unchanged.

In both instances anyone who currently receives Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit will have their claims automatically reassessed to take account of the changes and will receive new notification letters showing how their claims have changes.

However anyone who currently qualifies for Housing Benefit but not Council Tax Benefit would only have their Housing Benefit claim automatically reassessed and will need to reapply for Council Tax Benefit. Any claimant who wants to apply on this basis can contact the District Council on 01789 260991.

"The changes to the legislation may result in more people becoming entitled to Housing and Council Tax Benefit than before. Anyone who previously did not qualify for either Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit may want to reclaim as some families may be able to receive greater financial support and disposable income," says Cllr Stephen Gray Revenues and Housing Portfolio.