 |
Rennie warns constituents of new benefit backdating rules
September 18, 2008 3:00 PM
Local MP Willie Rennie is advising his constituents of new benefit backdating rules to be introduced from October. These will mean that individuals will only be able to claim three months of pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit, rather than the current entitlement of twelve months.
Introduced as part of the simplification of the tax system, Mr. Rennie fears that the new rules will increase financial hardship. Those with rent arrears who are unaware of their entitlement to housing benefit, and those who have literacy problems, disabilities or language barriers are most likely to be affected.
Mr. Rennie is urging anyone who thinks they might be eligible for any of these benefits to apply before the end of September in order to ensure that they will receive the maximum amount of backdating.
Commenting Mr. Rennie said:
"I am strongly opposed to this change, due to the negative effect it will have on pensioners and low income families in my constituency."
"The Government have stated that the benefits backdating period needs to be reduced so that they can afford a new system for pensioners which would allow them to claim all of their benefits through one application."
"Whilst I agree that our benefits system is in need of simplification, this shouldn't be at the cost of providing assistance to vulnerable and needy claimants."
ENDS
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats