Council overwhelmed by increase in HB/CT benefit claims

[impecunious]

Can I please scream out loud within the very safe and comforting arms of CAG??? I'll take that as a YES as long as I don't shatter the chandeliers.

 

Simple question! If the council admit to being totally overwhelmed by the increase in the volume of those claiming HB and CT reduction, why don't they just take on more staff to deal with the backlog and process claims in a timely manner instead of inflicting even more stress, anxiety and frustration on claimants when simple reclaims for continued HB and CT reduction take two months and more to process???? My last claim for HB in Dec 12 took three months to process. When you're on JSA and DWP are messing with your benefits as well - it's almost impossible to get anyone to listen.

 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! With all the number crunching and statistics that are being undertaken by every dept in the council for auditing purposes, you would assume that they would be more than capable of forecasting significant increases in volume of those claiming benefits and develop an appropriate strategy to deal with it!!!!

 

Rant over! I'm calm now ---- cup of tea and a home-made muffin works every time

 

 

Imp

[citizenB]

They wont take on more staff because they are supposed to be cutting costs !

[Consumer dude]

More work should mean more staff, however it doesn't seem to work that way anymore..

[estellyn]

My council processes claims really quickly - but usually get the award wrong the first few times of trying.

[jadeybags]

My council processes claims really quickly - but usually get the award wrong the first few times of trying.

 

Same as mine.

[bio]

Its a fine line at the moment regarding staffing. With the introduction of UC, there will no longer be a need for HB and CTR processors, so Council's are wary of overstaffing.