A number of changes to benefit entitlement have recently come into force which may affect many residents.
Following last year's change in Income Support entitlement for lone parents with a child aged 12 or above, the rules changed again at the end of October for lone parent families with a 10-year-old as their only or youngest child. This means that if you only receive Income Support on the grounds that you are a lone parent, then entitlement will stop. You will have to find employment or sign on for Jobseekers' Allowance.
From 2 November 2009, Child Benefit will no longer count as income for Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefits (CTB). This means that families who are in receipt of some HB and CTB should experience an increase in their benefit once Child Benefit is disregarded from that date. It also means that families who are currently just outside HB and CTB entitlement due to their income levels will need to make a new claim after that date.
