Benefit Award Letters
When we have assessed your claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit we will send you an award letter. You should check the letters and if any of the information we have used to work out your benefit is wrong you must tell us. You must also tell us if your circumstances have changed or if you do not think you should be receiving benefit.
The law tells us the information that must be included in the award letters.
The letters will show what benefit you are entitled to, the dates it covers and how we reached that decision. If there has been an overpayment we will tell you the reason for the overpayment and how much we think you owe. We will also tell you how the overpayment has been calculated and if we think the overpayment is recoverable. If the overpayment is recoverable we will tell you who we will be asking to repay it. All decision letters will set out your appeal rights.
An explanation of some of the words used in the letter.
Applicable Amount
This is the amount set by the government for your day to day living expenses. The applicable amount is different for every person. It depends, for example, on your age; whether or not you have a partner or children; or if someone in your household is disabled. It is made up of personal allowances, for general needs, and premiums, for special needs.
Income
Your award letter will also show what income we have used to work out your entitlement. They will also show if not all of your income has been taken into account.
Capital
Capital includes savings, shares, premium bonds and other property you own.
Non-dependent deductions
Non-dependents are people over the age of 18 who live in the household. The government assumes that they will contribute towards the rent and council tax and so reduces your entitlement. The amount of the deduction depends upon the age and circumstances of the non-dependent
The letter will explain why decisions have been made and what regulation we have used. They will also state your appeal rights.
The letter will be in Plain Language and should avoid jargon.
You must check your letters as soon as you receive them and make sure that we have used the correct information. You have one month from the date of the letter to query our decision or appeal against it.
