See the benefit of new website facility

RMBC logo

Benefit claims have just been made easier – you can now get on the Rochdale Borough Council website.

It has been announced today (Wednesday 11 March) that a website upgrade means residents are a click away from seeing if they’re entitled to help with paying their council tax or rent.

Rochdale Borough Council has just launched new facility which can calculate whether you’re entitled to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit and, if so, estimate how much.

You can make a claim online and will just need to sign a declaration form and pop it in the post or drop it off at your local council customer service centre with any evidence of identity, income, savings and rent that you are asked to provide.

The whole process takes between 20 minutes and an hour to complete, depending on your circumstances. A confirmation form will be posted out to you within 24 hours.

Councillor Greg Couzens, cabinet member for finance on Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This is part of our drive to make more council services easier to access and help cut waiting times at our customer service centres.

“If you’ve got internet access this is a simple way to find out if you’re eligible for benefits and to make a claim – you can also get on the system free at any library in the borough.”

Councillor Couzens added: “You’ll need to provide evidence to prove any information you give about your income or finances, and the system includes checks to ensure that only those people rightfully entitled to benefits are given them.”

You can access the online claim system at www.rochdale.gov.uk/benefits