Changes to child benefit rates and how it will affect housing and council tax benefit.
In the pre-budget report 2008 presented to
Parliament on 24 November 2008, the Chancellor of the Exchequer
announced that the Government is bringing forward the April 2009
increase in the child benefit rates to January 2009.
This change to standard child benefit rates
applies to all child benefit recipients nationwide and the Council
has been notified of these changes by central Government. The
increase in child benefit will start in January 2009 but the
Council’s housing benefits section will continue to use the rates
that were set in April 2008 for the purpose of assessing
entitlement to housing/council tax benefit. The new, increased rate
of child benefit will be included in housing/council tax benefit
assessments with effect from April 2009.
Residents who receive letters from the child
benefit agency, detailing the increase in child benefit levels do
not need to inform the Council of this change. However,
anyone who is in receipt of housing benefit or council tax benefit
has a duty to report any other changes in their circumstances, such
as changes in employment status, to the Council at the Council
Offices, at any of the one stop shops or by telephoning 01992
785503.
Advice on housing and council tax benefit is
also available here.