News from the Benefits Service

This page will be updated with information from the Benefits Service, with details about changes to the Housing Benefit and Council Tax schemes and with information about changes to other benefits that might affect you.

Companies who charge for helping you claim benefits.

We are aware of at least one company who offers free benefits advice and who will help you make a claim for benefit. They will charge you 40% or 45% of any back paid award you receive on a no win, no fee basis. This could be for any state benefit but particularly the benefits related to disability.

There is no need for you to pay for this help. Wealden Benefits Service will help you to make a claim or will tell you who can help. Any help or advice we give you is free, as is the help from organisations we can refer you to.

(1st March 10)

Winter 09 newsletter - our latest newsletter, published December 09 (pdf)

Help with managing money and how to get free debt advice - help for people who are struggling with debts or paying their bills

Child Benefit

From 2nd November 2009, Child Beneift is no longer counted as income in the calculation of Housing Beneift and Council Tax Benefit. This means more people will qualify for those benefits.

Wealden's customers, who are already getting Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, will have received a letter from the Benefits Service telling them about the changes to their benefit entitlement.

If you think you might qualify or you're not sure if you should make a claim, please use our on-line benefit calculator to find out.