Child Benefit Change

For example, a family getting Child Benefit for four children will have £59.60 ignored from their HB/CTB calculation. This could mean up to an extra £38 Housing Benefit and £11 Council Tax Benefit each week.

Many families who have not qualified before for HB/CTB could now receive some help towards paying their rent or Council Tax.

Existing claimants

Families receiving Child Benefit who are already on HB/CTB with low incomes may now receive more help towards their rent and Council Tax, allowing people to keep more of their income, as they will have to pay less towards their rent and Council Tax.

Your benefit will be re-calculated automatically, and you will receive an award letter telling you how your award has changed.

New claimants

If you apply for HB/CTB on or after 2nd November 2009 we will still need to see proof of your Child Benefit, showing the names of the children it is payable for. The proof is important evidence to make sure you get the right amount of benefits for your household.

You can pick up a benefits claim form from our offices, from Palmers Green Library, Ordnance Road Library, download a benefits claim form, or telephone our offices on 020 8379 1000.

To see how much you might be entitled to, use our benefits calculator on our website 'Access Enfield': www.enfield.gov.uk