New benefits system will be ‘more efficient’

Rochdale Borough Council is to install a new computer system to process benefit claims and manage its council tax and business rates records.

The old system will close down in mid December with the new system scheduled to go live in mid January 2011.

The timescale for the changeover allows for the reorganisation of data, and the transfer of that data from the old computer system to the new one.

During the downtime, estimated to be around 4 weeks, staff will not be able to make changes to computer held information, and will not be able to pay new benefit claims. In many other areas however it will be business as usual as the council will continue to take payments, and existing awards of housing and council tax benefit will continue to be paid. Staff will have access to the old computer system during the transition period, and will be able to advise on general enquiries, payments and benefit entitlement.

Whilst it will not be possible to process new claims received during the changeover, every effort will be made to clear the backlog as quickly as possible once normal service resumes.

Customers are also advised that all payments due during the transition period must still be paid during the implementation period.

Simon Bailey, Head of Revenues and Benefits, said the new system would be more efficient: “We are always looking for ways to improve our service, so this new system will be more efficient and result in a better, faster service for our customers.”

For more information on benefits you may be entitled to, visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/benefits or call in and speak to an advisor at your local council customer service centre.