Bournville Village Trust Shropshire

Housing Benefit

Do I qualify?

If you want to know how much help you might receive towards your rent and council tax you can log on to the Telford and Wrekin Councils website and use their online calculator, or call them on 01952 383838. You will need details of your rent, income, capital and household members.

How do I claim?

To claim Housing/Council Tax Benefit, you need to complete a Housing/Council Tax Benefit Application form, available from your Area Office, Civic Offices, online calculator, or you can request a form from the council by emailing them on benefit.service@telford.gov.uk. Remember to include your name and address.

If you think you may be entitled, it is important to request a form as soon as possible as Housing and Council Tax Benefit is not always automatically backdated.

Telford & Wrekin Council is responsible for processing your claim. They will write to you to tell you how much benefit you qualify for.

Housing Benefit Notifications

After you claim, you will receive a ‘notification’ about your entitlement. It is very important that you check all of the details carefully. Your Housing Assistant / Officer can help you with this.

What if my circumstances change?

You should always let the council know if your circumstances change. You can call them on 01952 383838, email them on benefit.service@telford.gov.uk. Remember to include your name and address and Housing Benefit claim number.

Some examples of changes you must tell them about are:

  • If someone moves into, or out of, your home
  • If your income changes
  • If there are changes in the benefits you receive

Housing Benefit overpayments

Overpayments happen when you have received too much Housing Benefit, for example because your circum-stances have changed. You should receive notifications showing any Housing Benefit that has been overpaid. If you disagree with the amounts, or can’t understand the information you should always ask for help as soon as possible.

If you are still receiving Housing Benefit, the council may reduce your weekly entitlement by a set amount until the overpayment is cleared. You will be responsible for paying this shortfall in rent to Bournville Village Trust on a regular basis, in addition to any current rent and/or arrears contribution.

If the amount the council is deducting is causing financial hardship, you can ask them to reduce it. You may have to complete an ‘income and expenditure’ form to show what money you pay out on a regular basis and what money you have coming in. You can contact the Overpayment Team at the council on 01952 383984 for further information.