Whats New - 07 Oct 2009

A more convenient way to pay Housing Benefit Overpayments

If you have a Housing Benefit overpayment and have received an invoice for payment, there is now a more convenient way for you to make your payments.

You can now make payments using the council’s 24 hour payment hotline.

All you have to do is…

Call 0845 149 0002
Select Option 6 for Housing Benefit Overpayments
Make your payment quoting your 11 digit Invoice number and your debit card details

In addition to the 24 hour telephone hotline, you can also make payments online|.

If you would like to contact us regarding an invoice you can either email benefitenquiries@gateshead.gov.uk| or call our dedicated overpayment team on 0191 433 4848.

Child Benefit no longer counted in Housing and Council Tax Benefit Calculation from 2 November 09

The way housing benefit and council tax benefit is worked out is changing - and this could mean increased benefit for many. From 2 November this year, anyone receiving child benefit will not have this taken into account when we calculate your Housing or Council Tax Benefit.

This is because the Government has changed the rules to help families on a low income.

So if this is you, and you currently receive less than the maximum amount of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, your entitlement will be reassessed and you may receive more benefit from this date.

If you're claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit already

You don't need to contact us – we will automatically recalculate your benefit and will write to you to tell you how your benefit has changed.

Not claiming? You may qualify!

If you don't currently receive Housing Benefit or council tax benefit, you may now qualify as a result of these changes.

If you've claimed before, but were not entitled to benefit then, you may be able to get help from 2 November because of this change in the rules.

You can check your benefit entitlement by using our Online Benefit Calculator|

It will also advise on potential entitlements to other benefits such as Pension Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

The calculator doesn't use the new rules until 2 November, but you can check your entitlement now just in case you already qualify – and if you don’t – remember to use the calculator again after 2 November.

You can also check your benefit entitlement by emailing us at benefitenquiries@gateshead.gov.uk|

Good news for Pensioners – Savings levels for Housing and Council Tax Benefit Calculation increasing from 2 November 09

Are you aged 60 or over with some savings?

The way housing benefit and council tax benefit is worked out is changing - and this could mean increased benefit for many pensioners.

If you have savings, investments or other capital, this doesn't affect your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit if it's below £6000. If it's between £6000 and £16,000, we have to assume that you receive a set amount of income from it (we call this tariff income) which we count towards your income when we're working out your benefit.

If your capital is over £16,000 then you can't get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit unless you get the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit.

New rules could mean you qualify from 2 November

From 2 November the Government has changed the benefit rules and you can have capital of up to £10,000 before we start counting any tariff income. This means that some people will get more benefit and some people will qualify for benefit when they didn't before.

If you're claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit already

We'll work out your benefit again automatically and write to you if the amount changes. You don't need to do anything.

However, if you're on the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit or both Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit, your benefit won't go up as you already get the most you can get.

If you're not claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit already

Because of this change, you may now qualify from 2 November if your capital is under £10,000.