- Claiming all the benefits you may be entitled to
- Help with DWP or HM Revenues & Customs reconsiderations and appeals
- Support requesting back dating benefit claims, if you have good cause
- Budgeting tips
- “Better Off in Work Calculations” – to show you how a change of job can affect your benefit entitlement and income
- Explain benefit changes, such as Universal Credit
- Sign-post to support organisations
Benefit and money advice
Help for CBC tenants
Our benefits and money advice (BMA) Team is here to give Cheltenham Borough Council housing tenants free and confidential advice on all welfare benefits and day to day money management. If you are struggling to afford your rent or manage your bills, we can suggest simple budgeting tips, energy advice and can carry out a benefit check-up.
Universal Credit (UC) has now reached Cheltenham and it is changing the way you apply for and receive benefits.
It has replaced the 6 following benefits for working age people:
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
- Child Tax Credits
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credits
How is Universal Credit paid?
- Universal Credit is paid monthly, in arrears, into a bank account. How much Universal Credit you get will depend on your earnings.
- Your circumstances are assessed every month and what you’re paid may change.
- If you and your partner both claim Universal Credit you will receive a single monthly payment for the household.
- Your first Universal Credit will be paid around six weeks after you make your claim.
- Pensioners will not be affected by Universal Credit.
Benefits calculator:
You can use a benefit calculator to find out:
- What benefits you could get
- How to claim
- How your benefits will be affected if you start work
Contact the team
You can get advice and support from the BMA team by emailing them at: BMA@cheltenham.gov.uk or calling FREEPHONE: 0800 408 0000
Data protection
For information on the data we collect about you and what we do with it, please read our privacy notice.
Not a CBC tenant
Help with school uniform costs
If you're struggling to afford the cost of school uniform, let us know by filling in our request form. This is available for all Cheltenham residents