Benefit claims made easier for pensioners

Beginning in December a new three-page form will replace the existing 26-page document that pensioners entitled to Council Tax benefit currently have to fill out from scratch. The new simplified process will mean pensioners will only have to provide their financial information once to claim both Pension Credit and Council Tax benefit. Details will be given over the phone and then they will be sent the completed form which they send back the form. Customers may also entitled to a rebate on what they have already paid as their claim can be backdated up to 12 months. James Plaskitt, Min...