Hundreds more to qualify for benefit

HUNDREDS more people in Warrington are expected to qualify for benefit from next month – and the benefits bus is arriving in town to offer help to locals who may be unsure of their entitlements.
The bus, which has been touring the North West for three years, will be outside the market in the town centre from 10am to 3pm every day from October 26-30.
Benefit take-up officer Mike Andrews and a team of experts will be on board to offer advice on a whole range of benefits, including housing and council tax, attendance allowance and tax credits.
Last year, more than 4,000 people visited the bus across the region, generating £371,000 housing and council tax benefit.
One local resident last year gained thousands of pounds in unclaimed benefits.
Adrian Webster, the borough council’s benefit manager said: “As from November we will no longer have to take child benefit payments into account when working out how much housing and council tax benefit customers will receive.
“This change means that hundreds more families in Warrington will qualify for benefit. We will be using the bus to try and help as many people as possible and will have staff there to help with any forms that need filling in.
“By taking this service into the community we hope to make sure that local residents are receiving all the financial support they are entitled to.”