Worthing Borough Council

Length of the claim

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Lines open 9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday
Council Tax and Business Rates: 01903 221061
Housing and Council Tax Benefit: 01903 221062

revsbens@worthing.gov.uk

Once a claim has been started it will continue until entitlement to benefit stops.  However, the customer must advise the Council about any change in their circumstances that may affect their entitlement to benefit.  For more information on what to do if you have a change in circumstances please read the change of circumstances section.

Another claim form may need to be completed for some changes in circumstances, for example if a customer:

• A customer moves address
• A customer's partner moves in, or a customer and partner separate
• A customer's entitlement to Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment & Support Allowance or Guaranteed Pension Credit comes to an end

This is because information about the customer's new circumstances is required before benefit entitlement can be re-assessed.

Ending a Claim

The Council will bring a claim for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit to an end where:

• The customer passes away
• The customer's liability to pay rent or Council Tax ends
• The customer moves out of the Worthing area
• The customer's liability to pay Council Tax ends
• The customer asks us to cancel their claim

The customer or partner may make a new claim straight away by completing another claim form and providing information and documents about their new circumstances.

Interventions

During the life of the claim there may be an ‘intervention’ initiated by the Council.  This may take the form of:

• A visit to the customer by a Council officer; or
• A written request for confirmation of the customer's current circumstances; or
• A telephone call to confirm the customer's current details

This ‘intervention’ must be completed and any information or documentation that is requested must be supplied.  If this doesn't happen, the claim may be suspended or cancelled.

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