To deliver an effective, secure and responsive service to Benefit claimants within East Lothian
5. Activities
1. Private Sector Benefits –The Private Sector Team is responsible for the administration of Housing/Council tax Benefit for private tenants and Housing Associations as well as Council Tax Benefit for owner occupiers 2. Public Sector Benefits –The Public Sector Team administers Housing/Council Tax Benefit for all local authority housing 3. Interventions– An activity carried out by one arm of the Interventions & Investigations Team. This section is responsible for the receipt, scanning and indexing of all Housing/Council Tax benefit claims along with verification of supporting evidence and ongoing review of claim details. Also carries out home visiting programme. 4. Counter Fraud Investigations –The Investigation section of the combined Team investigates alleged fraudulent Housing/Council Tax Benefit claims 5. Overpayments -Calculates overpayment of Housing/Council Tax Benefit & initiates recovery
6. Information and Advice services
Contacts and delivery methods
7. Contact details
Council HQ, John Muir House, Haddington EH41 2HA Tel 01620 827827
Telephone Advice: Yes Appointments: Yes Outreach: Yes, (surgeries) Home Visits: In some circumstances Out of Hours Yes, (18.00 to 21.30) Via e-mail: Yes, (benefits@eastlothian.gov.uk)
9. Opening Hours
Monday-Thursday 0900-1700, Friday 0900-1600
Staffing, Funding and Training
10. Staffing
38 Full time equivalent paid staff members
11. Funding
Department of Work and Pensions
12. Quality Assurance
Random sample quality checks carried out on work of Unit
