Housing and Council Tax benefit

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What is measured?

Performance Indicator (A) below shows the gross administration cost (£) per benefit case.

Indicator (B) details the average time (days) to process new benefit claims and change of circumstances.

How are we doing?

Our overall performance for housing and council tax benefit in 2010/2011 was the same as in 2009/2010.

Statutory Performance Indicator (A): Gross benefits administration cost (£) per case

2010/2011	£44.38
2009/2010	£44.62
2008/2009	£47.77
Council target for 2011/2012	£52
Trend

The gross benefits administration cost per case was lower in 2010/2011 than in 2009/2010 and 2008/2009.

Local Performance Indicator (B): Right Time Indicator - average time to process new claims and change events (cumulative)

2010/2011	11.36 days
2009/2010	9.47 days
2008/2009	15.69 days
Council target for 2011/2012	16 days
Trend

The Right Time Indicator was higher in 2010/2011 than in 2009/2010 but lower in 2008/2009.

What factors influenced our performance?

The policy adopted by the council on the level of advice and counselling available to claimants and the efficiency of the administrative process has an impact upon the gross administration cost per case.

The time taken to collect all the information required for benefit claims is influenced by a range of factors, including the number and frequency of short-term tenancies, the number of private lets and the number of people living in shared accommodation.

The economic downturn led to an increase in new claims and change events.

What are we doing to improve our performance?

The evidence required to support housing and council tax benefit claims has been reviewed.

If further evidence is required, customers are now contacted by telephone and text message to provide the information needed to support an application or a change of circumstances.