An Edlington tenant has received a weekly financial boost of £104 after speaking to our Income Management Team.

The tenant, who does not want to be identified, moved into a new home in June last year, contacted us with a rent query and asked if they were allowed to claim any rent rebate.

They spoke to Matthew Larner, our benefits advisor, and he helped them to claim all of the benefits they were entitled to.

As an added bonus, the tenant, who also had capital over £16,000, qualified for the help and also received benefits backdated to March 2007 of £5,903.

The tenant said: “It was really easy to claim the benefits I was entitled to because of the help I received from Matthew. He was 150 percent helpful. He helped me every step of the way telling me who I needed to ring and what I needed to do.  I’d have never claimed or got all of this extra money if I’d not given St Leger Homes a ring. I’d encourage other tenants to call your benefits advisor.”

Matthew added:” We helped this tenant claim Pension Credit, Council Tax Benefit, Rent Rebate and other benefits which increased the weekly income by £104.48. People believe they aren’t entitled to benefit if their capital exceeds £16,000. For those aged 60 and over the rules have been relaxed and this no longer applies.

“However, we helped this tenant claim benefits backdated for 12 months, but from October this year there are proposed changes to benefit rules which may mean that claims will only be backdated for three months.”