Welcome To Wirral

The importance of returning your application form on time

Your benefit will usually be awarded from the Monday after the Local Authority or DWP has received your claim. However, if you are getting Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based) or Income Support you have up to one month to apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefit from the date of your entitlement. 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.

Remember you do not have to wait until you have all the information before returning your application form. We will write to ask you for any information we need.

Can a claim be backdated to an earlier date?

In certain circumstances we can treat your claim as if it were made earlier.

If you want to claim from an earlier date you must write to us giving the date you want your claim to start from. You must explain your reasons for failing to claim at an earlier date, providing proof where possible.

An award of backdated benefit can be granted for a maximum of 52 weeks.

Changes in circumstances - Supersessions

You must inform the Local Authority of:-

• Any changes in income and capital.
• End of entitlement to Income Support/Jobseekers Allowance (IB).
• A change of address.
• Changes to family - status of non-dependants, new dependants, partner changes.
• Any other changes in circumstances.

You must tell us in writing of all changes that may affect your claim.

Changes in circumstances that will increase your entitlement to Housing/Council Tax Benefit must be put in writing and received within ONE MONTH of the change occurring. Your benefit will be adjusted from the Monday following the date of the change.

If it is reported AFTER one month we will only amend your benefit from the Monday following the date the information was received.

Late Requests

If you do not report a change in circumstances which increase your Housing/Council Tax Benefit within the month time limit then we can allow a longer period of time if you provide details of:-

• the change in circumstances and
• the reasons why it was not reported on an earlier date.

This information must be received within 13 months of the date in which the change occurred.

The Local Authority must be sure that ALL the following conditions apply:-

• it is reasonable to grant the application.
• the change in circumstances is relevant to the decision to be superseded.
• the special circumstances are relevant.
• as a result of these special circumstances it was not practicable for you to notify the change within one month of it occurring.

Discretionary Housing Payments

You can request Discretionary Housing Payments if you need further financial assistance with your housing costs.

Discretionary Housing Payment is not a payment of Housing or Council Tax Benefit. The Government provides only a limited amount of money for Discretionary Housing Payments every year.

We will determine the length of the Discretionary Housing Payment from the information you supply.

In order to apply for Discretionary Housing Payments you need to fill out an Application for Award of Discretionary Housing Payment. You can download this form (See Discretionary HB form in the downloads section) or you can request this form by telephone or in person at any of the One Stop Shops. (See Council Offices in the related links section)

The rules concerning Discretionary Housing Payments are listed below:-

• It cannot be paid for ineligible service charges such as water rates.
• It can only be paid if you have some Housing Benefit entitlement.
• It can only be paid if you have some Council Tax entitlement.
• The amount paid when added to the Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit entitlement must not be more than the rent or Council Tax charged to you.
• It cannot be paid in respect of reductions in benefit resulting from failure to comply with CSA, failure to attend a work-focused interview or a JSA sanction.
• It cannot be paid if your rent increases to cover outstanding rent arrears.

What happens if I disagree with my entitlement?

If you disagree you should notify the Director of Finance in writing within one calendar month from the date shown on your notification. If you need to know what courses of action are open to you including your right to appeal See Right to Appeal.

How do I claim?

Application forms are available at any of the One Stop Shops, Libraries and the Finance Department.

Send completed forms to:-

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

What if I have a query?

You can telephone 0151 606 2002 or call at any of the One Stop Shops. Opening hours are 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. A Saturday service is also available at The Conway Centre One Stop Shop between 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and at Heswall One Stop Shop (within the Library) between 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

No Cashier service is available on Saturdays.

Leaflets and where to get them

Leaflets are available free of charge at any of the One Stop Shops, Finance Department, Citizens Advice Bureau and Central Libraries or by clicking on the relevant sections above.

These leaflets can be produced in large print. Induction loops and minicom systems are available at the One Stop Shops. If you need help with translation of these leaflets you can contact the Multicultural Centre at 111 Conway Street, Birkenhead.