The changes, which come in on 2nd November 2009, will affect families receiving Child Benefit and those people over 60 with savings.
Child Benefit will no longer count as income, so those families currently receiving less than the maximum Housing or Council Tax Benefits will be re-assessed automatically. For those already receiving the maximum benefits, there will be no change.
In the older age group, the way benefit is calculated will also be changed. At the moment savings of up to £6,000 are not taken into account. That figure will rise to £10,000.
For example:
Before 2nd November 2009
Savings £15,023
Not counted £ 6,000
This leaves £ 9,023
Divided by £ 500
= £19 per week assumed income from savings
After 2nd November 2009
Savings £15,023
Not counted £10,000
This leaves £ 5,023
Divided by £ 500
= £11 per week assumed income from savings
If you do not receive Pension Credit, but get some Housing or Council Tax Benefit, your claim will be re-assessed automatically from 2nd November 2009.
If you get Guarantee Pension Credit, there will be no change as you will already be getting the maximum amount of benefit.
If you receive the savings credit part of Pension Credit, your claim will be recalculated during November by the Pension Service who in turn will notify us and we will then be able to adjust your Housing or Council Tax benefit claim.
Those people who don't receive benefit now but who think they could receive benefit under the new rules should make a claim now. You can check how much benefit you could get by using our benefit calculator at web Benefits Calculator and Claim.
You can make a claim by visiting the council offices in Priory Road, Spalding or phoning Customer Services on 01775 761161.
