Terms & Conditions

[peterdelamothe]

Ghita was talking to an LA today (in the South East) who have seen their workload doubled in the last few months as redundancies have soared. Many of these cases are apparently complex with very high rents etc. Would any other LA’s like to estimate the impact on their workload as a result of the “credit crunch”?

[Anonymous]

Just to give an example, the number of people visiting our reception (which deals only with benefit queries) is 50% more than in January 08.

[Anonymous]

No statistics behind this, other than my personal observations, but I have noticed alot of claims that turn out to be non-qualifiers.

I think many customers, because of the current publicity around the recession and benefits, are putting in a claim just to see if they can get anything.

A few I have seen have been from couples, where one loses their job and gets JSAC, but the other’s earnings still put them way over the means test.

Perhaps to reduce these types of claims, resources could be put in to entitlement calculators, so customers will know if there is no chance they will qualify?

[jmembery]

Since November we are averaging a 45% increase in claims and 26% increase in post.

This is excelerating however, E.G Feb was 56% and 30%

[seanosul]

[quote:624324cef0]Perhaps to reduce these types of claims, resources could be put in to entitlement calculators, so customers will know if there is no chance they will qualify?
[/quote:624324cef0]

Why would you want to reduce those claims, your admin subsidy will increase (it is based on your new claims) and they are easy to proess.

[peterdelamothe]

“resources could be put in to entitlement calculators”

Sam, this is something I am really keen on. Naturally as a policy person I want it all done today but as my long suffering colleagues at hbinfo point out (lol), the new website has to come in first!

[Anonymous]

Hi Sean,

I mentioned this to our benefits manager. Do you know where I can show him confirmation that non-qualifying claims count towards our admin subsidy grant?

If it’s the case, I might make a non-qualifying claim to boost subsidy 😈

[peterdelamothe]

Greater numbers of affluent people are seeking help for debt problems as the recession bites, a charity has said.

Unemployment and a housing market slump has caused a “fundamental shift” in the nature of UK debt, said the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS).

Consumers in the UK have total debts approaching £1.5 trillion.

A regional breakdown showed that the highest levels of debt were generally in the south of England – at an average of £29,000, but the over 60s in Wales had one of the highest debt levels in the UK at £25,947.

Scots seeking help from the CCCS had the highest levels of debt in the UK relative to their income. Those in Northern Ireland were least able to repay debts.

John of debt management service , said the trend of more affluent earners getting into trouble was not seen during previous recessions.

[Author]

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