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Housing Benefit

Newham Benefits Service

The Benefits Service's aim is to be the best benefits service in London.
A third of the Newham's households are dependent on benefit to pay some or all of their rent or council tax.

We manage and pay housing benefit, council tax benefit, and discretionary housing payments.

In the past, the service has been poor and claiming benefit could often be a stressful experience for some of the borough's most vulnerable residents. The service has now been transformed and we remain committed to developing and improving the service into the Capital's best.

By processing claims quickly and accurately, the service will promote good landlord tenant relationships, increase security of tenure, improve housing choice and reduce barriers to work and promote a positive image of the Council. In achieving these objectives the Benefits Service can help to make Newham a place where people will choose to live and work.

Specifically, we will strive to provide a continually improving service that:

  • Is customer-focused, modern and efficient
  • Is speedy and accurate
  • Reduces the risks of error and fraud
  • Is resourced sufficiently to deliver the intended service
  • Is accessible to everyone in the community
  • Ensures claimants receive the benefit to which they are entitled
  • Minimises barriers to work
  • Helps claimants to live in decent housing and improves housing choice
  • Recovers overpayments
  • Reduces the level of fraud and error
  • Investigates potential fraud and punishes it where it is found
  • Encourages a strong culture of good performance within the organisation

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