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Further details can be obtained by calling 0800 055 6688
or claiming via the Department for Work and Pensions Services
and Benefits online: www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/
From the 27th October 2008 Income Support (and Incapacity
benefit) will be replaced by the Employment and Support
e six
Allowance (ESA) for new customers.
■ housing Benefit
You can apply if you need financial assistance to pay rent (not to a
private landlord, see Local Housing Allowance) and your income
and capital are below a certain level. The amount you receive
depends on your financial and personal circumstances, such
as income, benefits, tax credits and occupational pension being
received, savings and other factors such as ages of you and your
family and whether you or your any of your family have a disability.
The claim form is available from the Department for Work and
Pensions website or from your local council:
www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/hctb1_print.pdf.
■ local housing Allowance
If you are a private tenant renting from a private landlord and on a
low income you may be eligible to receive Local Housing Allowance.
This is new way of calculating Housing Benefit, introduced in April
2008, and based on the area, number of occupiers and household
size. You can claim if you receive Income Support.
The LHA rates are calculated for individual areas each month
with the amount payable based on the middle rental figure for the
area. If the rent you pay is lower than the LHA rate, you can keep
excess benefit up to £15 per week. You can claim as soon as you
have a rent agreement and need to contact your local council.
■ extended Payment of housing Benefit
An extra four weeks of Housing Benefit if other benefits stop
because of returning to work, working more hours or earning
more. The amount is normally the same as you received before
your benefits were stopped. You can apply when you notify your
local council or Jobcentre Plus office of starting work, increasing
your working hours or earning more.
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