More help with housing costs for working families

9 Nov 2009 - According to the Department for Work and Pensions, many families can now claim more housing benefit, as child benefit is no longer counted as income.

More than 200,000 working families will gain about £1000 a year, thanks to new rules around Housing and Council Tax Benefits, making them an average of £20 a week better off.

From Monday 2nd November 2009, income from Child Benefit will no longer be taken into account when calculating entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. This will mean more money for families already getting these benefits and other low income families becoming eligible for the first time.

Secretary of State Yvette Cooper said:

"We want to do more to help families who are working hard to get by during the recession. Already tax credits make sure families are better off in work, but this extra cash is a practical way to make sure the benefits from working are even stronger. And it will help cut child poverty too."

Have you been turned down for housing benefit because your income was too high? If you also claim child benefit, we suggest that you see if you're eligible now.

If you want help with the forms, contact us now for an appointment with one of our trained benefit specialists. We can copy and send in your documents and proof of income too, saving you a trip into town.