Housing benefit cap support scheme starts

Winchester City Council, which covers Denmead, Bishop’s Waltham, Wickham and Whiteley, has set up the service with the Citizen’s Advice and Job Centre Plus.

The scheme, called ‘Make Money Work’, was launched yesterday to coincide with the next phase of the housing benefit cap which comes into force on November 7.

The cap is part of ongoing welfare reforms and limits the maximum amount of benefit working-age claimants can receive in out-of-work benefits. Around 100 claimants in the Winchester district will be affected.

Surgeries will be held at Citizen’s Advice in Bishop’s Waltham with drop-in sessions where residents can find advice and guidance on the help available to them.