Housing benefit - residents urged to report changes promptly

A new Government-led initiative is seeking to ensure that the right amount of housing benefit is being paid to each claimant.

Bury Council has joined the nine other local authorities in Greater Manchester to urge residents receiving housing benefit to report any changes to their circumstances as soon as possible.

The latest national statistics show that the amount of money lost due to benefit fraud and error is at a record high. It equates 6%, or £1.45 billion, of total government expenditure on benefits.

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, Bury’s cabinet member for resource and regulation, said: “If residents fail to tell us promptly about their changes, this can cause them to be overpaid. And if we can’t recover that, the community loses out because there is less to spend on other frontline services.

“Examples of changes in your circumstances could be a change to your income or the income of someone living with you, a new job, if you have a baby, if another person starts living in your home, or you move house.

“Keeping us up to date with your circumstances will help the council to ensure the right amount of housing benefit is being paid to you.”

To inform the council about any changes:

• Visit http://www.bury.gov.uk/benefits
• Tel: 0161 253 5858
• Email Benefits@bury.gov.uk

ENDS

Press release issued: 14 September 2015.