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Benefits - services

Housing benefits

We aim to provide efficient benefit services helping residents to live in decent and appropriate housing. We ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to our service and that it reaches those whose first language may not be English

We achieve social inclusion by:

  • Visiting the homes of elderly residents and people who have difficulty in attending the Council's offices to help them complete benefit forms and to explain the complexities of benefits

  • Providing an interpreter service

  • Saving our counter and service areas assessed for disabled access and use

  • Providing a hearing loop

  • Providing private interview facilities

  • Providing a series of leaflets explaining the characteristics of benefits

  • Adapting a nationally approved application form that has been considered by 'Plain English' for clarity and relevance

  • Answering telephone calls and responding to correspondence quickly and dealing with claims promptly

  • Reclaiming any benefit overpayments by acting promptly with a firm but fair approach

We promote our benefits service by:

  • Publicising the service and encouraging the take up of benefit entitlement

  • Working in partnership with other local authorities and government agents

  • Providing information on the internet, including a benefit application form

  • Providing information on up to date legislation

  • Including information about benefits with all Council Tax bills

  • Supporting Housing Associations in promoting benefits

  • Working with private landlords and the Dorset Residential Landlords Association

  • Employing a Welfare Benefits Advisor and Pensions Advisor

We measure our success by:

  • Surveying our customers for their opinions on our service

  • Comparing our results with other authorities and national standards

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