Our decisions and what if you disagree

What happens after you submit a new application or notify us of a change in your details

An assessment is made once we recieve a new application for Housing Benefit and/or Local Council Tax Support (LCTS), or you let us know your details have changed.

During this assessment we may ask you for some further information if it's needed. When the assessment is complete we will send you a letter explaining our decision. 

Why does my award not cover my full rent or Council Tax charge?

Your Housing Benefit award may not pay the full amount to cover your rent because:

• your income or savings are too high
• you have someone living with you aged 18 or over and this may result in a deduction being made to your award. This is known as a 'non-dependant deduction'
• the amount of rent used to work out your benefit is restricted because your rent is too high, or because your home is too large for your needs
• the Local Housing Allowance rate for the size of accommodation you need may be lower than the rent you are being charged
• your rent includes something which you cannot claim Housing Benefit for, such as certain service charges

Your LCTS award may not cover the full amount of Council Tax because:

• all customers of working age claiming LCTS have to pay a minimum of 20% of their Council Tax bill
• your income or savings are too high to qualify
• you owe Council Tax for the time either before you claimed, or outside the period that you were eligible for LCTS

What to do if you disagree with a Housing Benefit or LCTS award decision

 If you are unsure or disagree about any aspect of the letter you can:

• contact us by emailing benefits@colchester.gov.uk to ask for a full explanation
• ask us to look at the decision again. You must ask for this, in writing, by completing the reconsideration form within 1 month of the date of the decision that you disagree with

If you still do not agree with our decision you have the option to go to an Independent Tribunal. 

The Tribunals Service will hear Housing Benefit appeals and the Valuation Tribunal will hear appeals in respect of Local Council Tax Support. To lodge and appeal you need to contact the team.