Stratford District Council is dealing with more claims for council tax benefit and housing benefit, due to the economic climate and remains committed to paying the right amount to claimants at the right time.
However, the number of incomplete claims is impacting upon the Council's ability to process applications faster. Currently, more than 50% of all new claims received are incomplete. This means that the Council has to spend more time chasing information which is causing delays in telling applicants how much benefit they are due to receive. In a bid to improve the speed at which claims are processed the District Council is asking all claimants to provide all the information needed for a claim and this will be processed within 2 days.
The District Council's benefits team continually performs well to help deal with the demand but if all the correct documentation is provided this will help them process claims much quicker which is better for everyone concerned.
Cllr Valarie Hobbs, Revenues and Housing Portfolio says: "The District Council's benefits team does a sterling job in dealing with benefit claims as demand for the service increases. However, in order to process claims quickly we are asking residents to provide as much information as possible and then we'll guarantee a 48-hour turnaround.
"Stratford District Council is committed to continually improving in service by helping people receive the benefits they are entitled to as quickly as possible. It is vital that residents get all the help they need. Be assured that this Council is doing everything we can together with our partners such as the Citizen's Advice Bureau to help residents during this difficult time."
- Part 15 of the form details what evidence is required.
- Original documents and not copies must be provided.
- Valuable items must not be sent in the post - you are advised to bring them into reception where details will be taken and documents returned straight away.
- No payments will be paid out until all the documentation and evidence has been received.
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are national welfare benefits administered by the Council on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). A complex legal framework is in place to define who is entitled to benefit and to reduce fraud and error in the system. The Benefits Service within a council has a responsibility to pay the right benefit to the right person at the right time. Responsibilities also include the collection of overpayments through appropriate recovery methods.
