HULL City Council has been inundated with thousands of calls from people affected by changes to the welfare system.
Its new helpline, which was launched on Tuesday, received more than 1,200 calls on its first day.
This is perhaps unsurprising given that an alarming 5,480 Hull homes have been affected by the changes.
Now, the council has revealed the top ten questions posed to the helpline by people in Hull.
Q I have a spare bedroom and I think I am affected by the under-occupancy tax – what are my options?
A If you have one bedroom too many, your housing benefit will be cut by 14 per cent of your eligible rent. Two or more bedrooms will see your housing benefit cut by 25 per cent of your eligible rent. If you have reached the qualifying age for state pension credit in April this year, you will be exempt from the under occupation penalty. If you are affected, we may be able to help you by:
• Seeing if you are claiming all the benefits to which you are entitled to by referring you on to a welfare rights agency.
• Signposting you to agencies who can help you to seek employment to boost your income.
• Helping you look for a mutual exchange – where you swap homes with another tenant.
• Advising you on housing options that may be available with a housing association or private landlord.
• Looking into whether someone could move in with you.
• Looking at whether you are eligible to downsize to a smaller home.
• Look at whether any short-term help may be available through the Discretionary Housing Payments fund.
Q I have no money for food – what are my options?
A There are options available, including food banks and soup kitchens.
If you have reached your limit, you can apply for a Community Crisis Loan.
We are advising people to visit the council's customer service centre – The Wilson Centre in Alfred Gelder Street, Hull.
Q I have no money – what can I do?
A Some basic debt advice is available at The Wilson Centre.
For more specialist and ongoing advice on debt, visit the Citizens Advice Bureau in Charlotte Street Mews, Hull.
Q I am affected by the council tax benefit changes – what are my options?
A Council tax benefit is being replaced by the council tax reduction scheme.
If you are having difficulty making your council tax payments you can:
• Spread your Council Tax payments over 12 months by paying via direct debit.
• Look for work or increase your hours by calling Jobcentre Plus on 0845 6060234.
Q I am in my emergency credit on my gas/electricity meter and cannot afford to top up?
A The Wilson Centre can advise people who need access to emergency fuel payments.
Q I have just been made homeless and I don't know what to do.
A There is a dedicated homeless team at The Wilson Centre who can provide you with advice on housing options.
Q I need help to pay for a funeral
A If you need help to pay for funerals, you need to go to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Q I am a council tenant – how do I pay my rent?
A If you are a council tenant, you can pay your rent by:
• Direct debit/standing order
• Online at hullcc.gov.uk
• Telephone on 01482 300300.
• Swipecard at any post office or PayPoint outlet in the UK, or at any Hull City Council payment counter (to apply for a Swipecard, call 01482 300300).
• Counter payments at any payment counter.
Q I am single and have a child who lives with their other parent, but stays with me at weekends – will I still get full housing benefit for my two-bedroom flat?
A It is likely that you will see your housing benefit reduced as the child will not be counted when calculating the number of bedrooms you need.
If both parents are claiming housing benefit at different addresses, the child will only be considered as part of one household, even if you share custody.
This means you would be considered to be under occupying by one bedroom.
You could apply for a short-term Discretionary Housing Payments fund.
Q My partner and I have separate bedrooms in our two-bedroom house due to my medical needs – are we exempt from the under occupation penalty?
A Based on the information we have at the moment, you will not be exempt as medical needs are not taken into account when calculating how many bedrooms you need.
But if you need an overnight non-resident carer on a regular basis, you may be able to claim housing benefit for an extra bedroom.
The council's helpline offers advice on housing and council tax benefit, general welfare and crisis loan applications.
Call 01482 300303 between Monday and Friday from 8am to 7pm, or Saturday from 9am – 1pm.
