Welcome To Wirral

Claim Straightaway

Benefit can usually be paid as soon as you become responsible for paying rent and/or Council Tax, providing you claim immediately.

If, due to exceptional circumstances, you were unable to claim at the correct time, it may be possible to receive benefit for the period of time before the normal start date. If you think that this applies to you, you should:

• Put your request in writing
• Provide details of the date you wish to claim and the reason why you did not claim earlier. You should provide evidence to support your claim.

The Local Authority will consider whether you have shown good cause for not having claimed earlier.

Please note this can only be paid for a maximum of 52 weeks.

When does my claim start from?

Usually when you become liable for Council Tax or rent, your benefit will be awarded from the day your liability began. Your claim must be received within that week, or within one month, if you or your partner is in receipt of either Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) or Income Support. In other cases benefit will be awarded from the Monday after you first asked to claim, provided your claim form is received by the Benefits Office within one month of that date. However, if you are a pensioner, your claim may be treated as being made earlier up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

What information will I have to provide?

You will have to provide original documents of the following

• Proof of Identity for you and your partner
• Proof of National Insurance number for you and your partner
• Full details of all income you and your partner receive

• Name, date of birth and income details of others living in the household plus their National Insurance Numbers.
• Details of savings and investments you and your partner may have
• Details of any bank/building society accounts you and your partner may have
• Proof of rent if you have a rent liability

When will I need to complete another form?

• From April 2004 you will not have to complete another form, unless you are asked to by the Local Authority.

Applicable Amounts (the amount that Central Government say you need to live on) are increased every April and some categories again in October. You may qualify for benefit at these times even if you did not qualify in the past. Complete a new application form and find out.

• If you stop receiving Income Support (IS) or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) JSA (IB), you may still qualify based on your new income, even if you are working.
• If you stop receiving Income Support or JSA (IB) because you or your partner have started work, and you had received benefit for more than 26 weeks, you may be entitled to the same level of Housing Benefit for a further 4 weeks. You can apply for this in writing or by telephone.

What if I change address?

If you are in receipt of benefit you should:

• Notify the Housing Benefit Section – giving the date you moved and details of your new address in writing
• Complete a new application form including all original documentation
• If you have to pay rent for two addresses, you may be able to get help towards both these costs, only if it was unavoidable that you had dual liability.  See Overlapping Benefit form in the related links section.

Overlapping Benefit can be granted for a maximum of 4 weeks.

Can I receive help towards rent prior to occupation?

This is sometimes possible if:

• The new address needs to be adapted to accommodate a member or your household who is disabled.
• You or your partner are aged 60 or more, or are waiting for a loan from the Social Fund to buy an essential item of furniture. (There must be a child aged 5 or less in your family). You or your partner must not be liable to make payments for any other property at the time of occupation.

You must apply as soon as you take the tenancy.

Please note you will only receive payment once you have moved into the property and only for a maximum of 4 weeks.

What if I have to leave my home temporarily?

As long as you intend returning to your home, do not sub-let it and are still liable to make payments for rent, you can still remain in receipt of Housing Benefit. Benefit paid during your absence can be for a maximum of 13 weeks even if your absence is longer. Please note, if you are a hospital in-patient or a remand prisoner (including those in bail hostels), benefit may be paid for a maximum of 52 weeks.

Can I receive help towards rent on two addresses?

Yes – but only if:

• You are forced to leave your normal home through fear of violence. Please note this is only for a maximum of 52 weeks.
• You are a student who is eligible to claim and it is necessary for you to live somewhere else during term time.
• Your family is too large to live in one address.
• You are waiting for your new address to be adapted for a member of your household who is disabled and it is unavoidable you are liable to pay rent at two addresses. Housing Benefit can be paid for a maximum of four weeks at both addresses, and can only be paid after you move in.

If I am a student, can I claim benefit

If you are:

• A pensioner
• Lone Parent
• Disabled
• Responsible for a Child
• Partner of a Student

You can claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate.

For further information regarding Students.   See Help with Housing Benefit for Students below.

If I am self employed, can I claim benefit?

Yes, you need to complete an application form, send in original documentation and provide either a copy of your audited accounts or day books.  See Housing Benefit Self Employed Declaration form in the related links section.

About your income

Some income will not be taken into account when calculating your benefit.

These are:

• War Widows Pension
• War Disablement Pension
• Disability Living Allowance
• Some Types of Charitable Income

However, you must declare the full amounts on your application form and provide proof in the form of original documentation.

Long Term Sickness

For claimants who are long term sick the Housing Benefit section must be told in writing if:

• You are sick for 28 weeks or more
• You start to receive Incapacity Benefit long-term rate
• You start to receive Severe Disablement Allowance.

You must provide proof in the form of original documentation. This is essential as it may affect the way in which your benefit is calculated.

What if my circumstances change?

If there is a change in your income or household circumstances you must notify the Director of Finance in writing immediately or you may lose benefit. If the change gives you more benefit, but you did not tell us within a month of it happening, your benefit will change from the Monday following the date you told us.  See Change in Circumstances form in the related links section. You can do this by letter or one of the council offices shown at Council Offices in the related links section or by e-mail at housingbenefits@wirral.gov.uk   It is now an offence to fail to report a change in circumstances which may lead to prosecution or the issuing of a sanction.

How do I claim?

Application forms are available at various Council Offices

Send completed forms to:-

Director of Finance
P.O. Box 2
Cleveland Street
Birkenhead
Wirral
Merseyside
CH41 6BU

ALL INFORMATION IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

What if I have a query?

You can telephone 0151 606 2002 or you can call in person at any of the council offices.  See Council Offices in the related links section.

General information and advice is also available from Welfare Benefits and Citizens Advice Bureau. See Benefits Advice in the related links section.