Cheshire West & Chester Council says 200,000 people receiving council tax and housing benefits could take advantage of new changes to the system

THERE’S good news for more than 200,000 current housing and council tax benefit customers, says Cheshire West & Chester Council.

From November 2, child benefit will no longer be taken into account as income for people claiming housing or council tax benefits.

This will mean extra benefit for customers already claiming help with their rent and council tax, and new payments for customers who may have been previously unable to claim because their income was too high.

Meanwhile, from November 2, the amount of capital ignored for anyone who is of pension age and who claims help with their rent or council tax has risen from £6,000 to £10,000.

This change brings about an increase in benefit for those pensioners who already receive help with their rent and council tax and means those pensioners who previously did not qualify for help because their savings were too high may now be able to get money towards their rent and council tax.

For details of the changes, help completing an application form, general benefit advice, or to arrange a visit at home, call 0300 123 7021.