Welfare and Benefits Advice
We employ a Welfare and Benefits Advisor to help our customers understand the benefits system and help reduce debts and arrears. The advisor can help with any of the following:
1) Housing costs
If you are on a low income, receive Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit, you may qualify for help with your housing costs. Help is available to anyone on a low income - you do not have to be unemployed or retired.
2) Rent
As one of CHP's customers you may be eligible to claim help with your rent payments. The type of help you can claim is called Housing Benefit.
3) Council tax
As one of CHP's customers you are responsible for the council tax on your property and therefore eligible to claim help with your council tax. The type of help you can get is called Council Tax Benefit.
4) Alternative maximum council tax benefit (second adult rebate)
If you are the only person in your household responsible for council tax and there are other adults living with you who do not live with you as if you are married, you can claim 'second adult rebate' even if your income would be too high to qualify for council tax benefit.
You cannot claim this benefit if anyone pays you rent to live in your home (a lodger, for example).
Check to see if you qualify for benefit
You can use our online welfare benefit calculator to see if you would qualify for benefit. You will need to have all your income details to hand. Welfare Benefit Calculator
If you need benefits advice contact Sue Barnes, CHP Welfare and Benefits Advisor on 01245 613042 or email: susan.barnes@chelmerhp.org.uk
Sue Barnes also holds a benefit advice surgery on the first Tuesday of every month from 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm at CHP's town centre office: Atholl House, 65a Duke Street, Chelmsford. You don't need an appointment.
For more information about claiming help with your rent and council tax, click on the links below.
