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Understanding Benefit Letters

Understanding Your Benefit Letters

The benefit letter tells you:

• When it starts and ends
• How much it is
• How I have worked it out

If there is something you do not understand please contact the benefits section.

It is important that if there is something you do not agree with, or if you think I have not worked out your benefit correctly, you must write and tell us. We must get your letter within one month of the date on the top of your benefit letter.

Applicable Amount

This is the amount of money the Government says someone in your circumstances needs to live on.  If you get less than this amount you may qualify for Income Support or Guarantee Credit for pensioners.

Income Disregards

Depending on the type of income or benefits you are getting some of the money can be ignored when your benefit is worked out.  This figure is shown separately as an Income Disregard.

Excess income

This is the difference between your income and the Applicable Amount (see above).

Income from Capital

This is called tariff income and is calculated as follows:-
If you are under 60 years of age the first £6,000 of your capital will be disregarded.  For each £250.00 or part of, above this figure, we must add £1.00 to your weekly income. 

If you are over 60 years of age the first £6,000 of your capital will be disregarded. For each £500.00 or part of, above this figure, we must add £1.00 to your weekly income.

Non Dependant

This means we are making a deduction from your benefit because you have another adult living in the property who is not your partner.  The deduction can be for different amounts depending on their circumstances and how much they earn or get in benefits.

Appeal

You have the right to ask for your claim to be looked at again.  If you disagree with the decision made, you can put this in writing.  It must be within one month of the date on the top of your benefit letter.

Extra Help

Discretionary Housing Payments are made by the Council to help people with their rent and Council Tax.  They are separate to Housing and Council Tax Benefit, but you must be entitled to either or both of these benefits to be considered for a Discretionary Housing Payment.

The total amount of any award can not exceed your full eligible rent or Council Tax which is not paid by Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

Discretionary Housing Payments cannot be used to pay for non-eligible services, non-dependant deductions, rent arrears or where Second Adult Rebate is in payment.

The payments are discretionary and awards will only be for a limited period.  The Government limits the funds available for awards and the Council cannot make any Discretionary Housing Payments once the amount of allocated money for the financial year has been spent.

Please contact this office for further information and an application form.

Contact Details

Housing Benefits
Oswestry Borough Council
Castle View
Oswestry
Shropshire
SY11 1JR

Tel: 01691 677330
Email: housingbenefits@oswestry-bc.gov.uk