MORE families with children will now be able to get help towards paying their rent following changes to benefit rules, according to Wiltshire Citizens Advice Bureaux.
The CABs are urging parents who receive child benefit and rent their homes but who at present get no housing benefit to check their entitlement again. It has worked out that a single parent with two children, for example, who previously just missed out on getting any help towards paying the rent could now be entitled to housing benefit of up to £21.58 a week.
The rule change also means some parents already receiving housing benefit will automatically see the amount they are entitled to go up, and more people will also become eligible for help in paying their council tax bills.
The extra money will be available to help all tenants with children, whether they live in council housing, housing association property, or private rented accommodation.
It comes about because, from November 2, income from child benefit will no longer be taken into account when it comes to calculating entitlement to housing benefit and council tax benefit.
To find out more contact the Wiltshire Advice Line on 0844 375 2775 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10am to 4pm and Wednesdays 9am to 4pm.
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