SUCCESS IN GETTING HOUSING BENEFITS BACK ON TRACK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 26, 2010 -- Out of hours work helps tenants get their housing benefits back on track, claims Cllr Kenny MacLaren (SNP – Paisley North West), depute convenor of Housing & Community Safety.

According to a report coming before the Housing and Community Safety Board on 2nd March, the out of hours team concentrated on tenants who were in rent arrears due to housing benefit suspensions because of delays in providing information on time. Cllr Kenny MacLaren said, “As a result of the work of the out of hours team, an amazing 72% of suspended benefit cases came back into payment within 4 weeks, stopping rent arrears from accruing”.

A number of changes to housing benefit and other benefits have been identifies as a factor in the number of tenants in arrears. For instance, those who have received increased income from tax credits often don’t realise that this can result in some households having their housing benefit reduced.

Cllr Kenny MacLaren continued, “It is important that those who find themselves in financial difficulties contact the council as soon as possible.”