Benefits

If you are having trouble coping with the costs of living or you cannot find a job, there are certain benefits you may be able to claim. The government helps out thousands of people by paying benefits such as Job Seeker's Allowance (a weekly payment to help you look for a job) or Disability Living Allowance (for people who have a mental or physical illness).

The Council's Benefits department can advise on Council Tax Benefit (which helps towards the cost of Council Tax for people who have a low income), Housing Benefit (which helps people who live in rented accommodation meet the costs of their rent) and Local Housing Allowance (which, from April 2008, will be for tenants in privately rented accommodation). 

The Council has produced a series of leaflets that make Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit easier to understand.

There are many different types of benefit and many rules that dictate whether you can claim any money or not. Some benefits are only open to people aged 18 or above (unless there are unusual circumstances), but it is always worth checking if you can claim anyway.

For more information you can contact your Citizens Advice Bureau or Hertfordshire County Council's Benefits Advice.  Alternatively, you can contact our Customer Services Centre on 01923 776611 or e-mail enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk