Surrey Heath Borough Council is improving its housing benefit account services with 24-hour secure online access for residents and landlords.
Once registered, residents will be able to securely carry out a variety of useful tasks online, including applying for housing benefit or council tax reduction. The easy-to-follow screens will allow people to report changes in circumstances, update information and view their payment history.
The quick, simple forms make using the portal easy, and evidence can also be uploaded as part of the process.
Residents who may qualify for additional support including Discretionary Housing payments and Council Tax Reduction Hardship Assistance will also be able to apply for these through a new online portal.
A new secure account service for landlords of tenants claiming housing benefit has also launched, meaning they can easily access relevant entitlement and payment information and the latest correspondence online.
This online service comes ahead of plans to make all landlord accounts paperless from 1 January 2024. To request the activation of their new online account, landlords can email revenues@surreyheath.gov.uk.
Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder for Performance and Finance, Cllr Leanne MacIntyre, said: "Secure online access to housing benefit and council tax reduction accounts will help residents and landlords by making everyday tasks quicker, easier and more convenient.
“This new service supports our aim of supporting those in need in our communities, and offers people a wider variety of ways to interact with the Council, so they can choose the method that works best for them.”
Visit the Benefits section of our website for more information and to sign up.