Two-day fast-track service for benefits claims
An innovative two-day fast-track service for new benefits
claimants who submit completed applications in person with full
supporting documentation has now been launched by Peterborough
City Council.
An independent survey showed that Peterborough already
provides one of the fastest benefit claims services in the East of
England. The survey, by accountants KPMG, reveals that the average
time taken to process new benefits claims by local authorities in
the East of England is 43.9 days, while the average in Peterborough
during October 2005 was just 27 days.
Much of the time taken in processing new benefits claims is
devoted to obtaining additional supporting documentation from
claimants whose applications are incomplete.
Councillor Stephen Goldspink, the city council's Cabinet
member for Efficiency and Business Improvement, added: "Our
benefits administration team already provides an excellent
service. However, if claimants take care to ensure their
applications are completed properly and supported by all the
necessary paperwork they can be processed more quickly.
"As a result, claimants will receive their benefits
sooner than would otherwise be possible."
How the fast-track service works
The application forms clearly lists the information and
documentation that is required to validate an application for
Housing Benefit and / or Council Tax Benefit.
If a new claimant comes to the Customer Service Centre at
Bayard Place with a new applcation and all the required
information at the time of their visit we can undertake
to process their appluication in just two days..
Claims for housing and council tax benefits typically need to
be supported by wage slips, bank statements, identification
evidence, national insurance number, rent and tenancy agreements
and details of other income and benefits.
For more information contact the city council's benefits team
on (01733) 452241.