Aylesbury Vale benefits service amongst the best

Archived press release

Date Published: 13/09/10

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s benefits service is celebrating another year of high standards for processing housing and council tax benefit claims.

In the last financial year, 2009/10, AVDC was the second best performing council in the country for processing new applications and changes of circumstances.

The performance was revealed in the latest figures to be published by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

AVDC achieved an average processing time of five days for new claims and changes in circumstances, compared to the national average of 11 days. The worst performing council took 25 days to process claims and changes.

In total, the service dealt with more than 5,000 new claims and over 40,000 changes last year.

Councillor Neil Blake, Cabinet Member for Resources at AVDC, said: “We have been working very hard to provide the best possible support for the increasing number of our residents who need these benefits.

“One of the main issues for people who find themselves requiring this financial help is to establish just how much they will get – and as quickly as possible. This is especially important with the current economic climate.

“Due to the excellent efforts of staff working in the benefits service our residents receive a first class service. We are very proud of the results and my thanks go to all concerned.”

There are currently more than 70,000 homes in the district and 20 per cent of those properties are in receipt of benefits from the council.

Over the past financial year there has been a 30 per cent increase in claims for benefits to help pay rent and/or council tax in Aylesbury Vale.

Residents needing advice on housing or council tax benefit are asked to contact the council’s benefits team on 01296 585618 or email benefits@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk